What Should I Do If I Think My Child May Have Autism?
If you suspect that your child has autism, it is important to act early and make an appointment with a professional. There is no cure for autism. However, early diagnosis and intervention can lead to significantly improved outcomes.
You may be thinking, where do I start?
Navigating the journey of understanding autism and getting all the needed support can be confusing but don’t worry, we have an easy-to-view training you can check out here.
Once you suspect your child has autism, there is a process you will go through to get a diagnosis. You can start by reaching out to your healthcare provider. Ask them if they would recommend a screening from a qualified professional such as a neurologist or behavior/developmental pediatrician. If a screening is recommended, make all the necessary appointments for the evaluation. You may find appointments are schedule a few months out, so you will want to schedule those appointments as soon as you can.
After your child has the evaluation and receives the evaluation results, you will also receive a lot of information about potential therapies and interventions for your child. There are several interventions that have been studied and put into place for individuals with autism that you can look into.
Most Common Form of Behavior Intervention for ASD:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): The most widely used treatment approach for autism that is accepted among healthcare professionals, clinics, and schools. The goal of ABA is to make a meaningful socially significant change in a person’s life. To learn more about ABA and the benefits of ABA therapy check out our training (HERE).
Most Common Forms of Communication Therapy for ASD:
Speech Therapy: Therapy that targets the child’s communication skills.
Occupational Therapy: Therapy that targets the child’s ability to live as independently as possible. This can entail dressing, feeding, bathing, etc.
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA): Therapy targets socially significant skills such as communication, social/peer interactions, play, self-help, and decreasing challenging behaviors. Typically ABA therapy occurs more frequently than other therapies, which allows for more practice of specific skills on a daily and/or weekly basis.
To learn more about the most common forms of therapy for autism check out our training (HERE).
Free Preview: Understanding ASD: A General Look into Autism Spectrum Disorder
