| Last month I wrote an article entitled, "Beyond ABA | | | | street does not mean that it will work for your child. |
| Treatment." It is the first of a series of articles I am | | | | Remember, each child on the spectrum is different. |
| writing designed for parents and professionals who | | | | Your job for now is simply to collect information. Keep |
| want to educate themselves about the various | | | | it, think about it and when you have done your |
| treatment options for autism spectrum disorders. | | | | research and are no longer in a "reactive" mode, take |
| In "Beyond ABA" I stated that I am continuously struck | | | | out your notes, know who your child is and then |
| by how little the "professionals" and the | | | | proceed to make an informed decision. |
| "decision-makers" really know about autism and its | | | | I can not emphasize this point enough. You do not |
| treatment options. As a mother of a child with autism | | | | want to make such an important decision - one that |
| and now an autism professional, I have made it my | | | | will most likely shape your child's life - if you are in the |
| business to educate myself as to what therapies and | | | | crisis state. Too many parents, once they get a |
| intervention models are out there. I commented in my | | | | diagnosis, rush into the first approach they hear about |
| last article that, "Just as there are not two children on | | | | thinking that there is no time to waste. While this is true, |
| the spectrum who are the same, there is no 'one size | | | | believe me, your time is better spent educating |
| fits all' type of approach to autism." | | | | yourself about what is out there before plunging into |
| The question then becomes, "Where do I start?" As in | | | | any kind of therapy. The exception to this rule is |
| any field, the best way to approach autism is by | | | | speech, occupational (OT), and/or physical therapy |
| educating yourself. If you are a parent with a child on | | | | (PT). They can do no harm. |
| the spectrum you need to be proactive and find out | | | | Okay, so now you have your first assignment. Contact |
| as much as you can. To start, I highly recommend that | | | | those families. Ask them and talk about your questions |
| you talk to other parents who have been down this | | | | and concerns. If possible ask to meet their child. It |
| road to really get an insider's perspective of their | | | | helped me a great deal to see other children with |
| experiences. If you need help finding these families, | | | | autism. I recognized a lot of my own son in them and |
| contact your local Autism Society chapter and ask. | | | | saw the potential of a great life! |
| I caution you, however. Do not try everything under the | | | | In my next article I will discuss the different theoretical |
| sun even if you are in the position to do so. Just | | | | approaches to the treatment of autism spectrum |
| because something worked for "Johnny" across the | | | | disorders. |