Seven First Steps for Parents of Children with Autism

That didn’t solve all of your problems? That’s fine. It wasn’t supposed to. Taking a breath means taking the time to process your emotions. Acknowledge how you feel. There is no right or wrong here. Turn to your support group. If you don’t have one, now is the time to form one. Your partner, therapist, family members, friends and mentors are all perfect candidates. Think about it. How likely were you to turn to them anyway? Did you really think you would march right into parenthood without a single question?

There is no rush here. Once you have your personal resources available, the internet is waiting to assist as well. There are websites, such as Autism NJ and ASAT. Here, you will learn about your child’s diagnosis and your options. Take your time and absorb the information.

Consistent early intervention based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been the cause for improvement in core autism symptoms, based on numerous studies. An ABA-based program tracks individualized goals and benchmarks, effectively teaching life skills and foundational learning skills to individuals with autism. Make sure the program is supervised and overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A quality program will objectively track goals, developmental milestones, etc.

You have EI (Early Intervention), IEP (Individualized Education Program), IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). Each one will reveal its relevance in time. Don’t be intimidated. These are various programs, services, and legal rights that your child is entitled to. You will eventually find yourself becoming an expert. Yes, it does happen! Over time your commitment, love, and attention will transcend into you becoming more confident in your questions, and how you utilize and communicate with your support team.

In the beginning, it was friends and family. Now, you have clinicians and caregivers. This “is” your team. You will have to communicate with this network on a regular basis. The members of this network will have to communicate with each other. These programs and services only function if they support your child and your family’s future. Do not make the mistake of shutting down and “NOT” reaching out. The support “is” there, so please find it, build it, and the challenges will seem more manageable over time.

When it comes time, there will be essential elements that are critical to any successful plan for an autistic student. Do the teacher and school support staff have both the training and experience in working with autistic children? Does he or she have both implicit and explicit support from the school administration? Is there access to resources, training, and materials as needed? Both you and your child’s teacher will want to modify programs and curriculum based on your child’s IEP (Individualized Educational Program). Supportive therapies, such as speech, physical and occupational therapy, should all be available on site and free of additional charge.

You will have to choose the best educational options based on your child. Is he or she verbal and engaged? How are his or her academic skills? Think about how your child handles large groups. Consider how he or she does with a lot of sensory input. Are there behavioral and mental health complications that need to be addressed within the support team. Does your child have difficulty with focus? Everything you have learned so far will factor into your decisions.