| Having a child with autism, hearing that first diagnosis, | | | | with autism. |
| or questioning some of the early behavioral issues, for | | | | If you don't have access to local services or they are |
| a parent, can be a trying and often isolating time. Sifting | | | | outside of your budget there is another another option. |
| through the voluminous information on causes, | | | | They are called autism webinars, which are online |
| treatments, and therapies can also be quite | | | | seminars you can participate from your computer or |
| overwhelming, especially with no one to offer guidance. | | | | by phone. During most webinars you can post a |
| To begin with, if you're a parent, or know someone, | | | | question to an expert live and they will actually answer |
| who has a concern about atypical behaviors in their | | | | your question for you. In fact, most of the questions |
| child, you should begin by receiving a medical | | | | being asked are from parents just like you. |
| evaluation by your family practitioner. If a concern is | | | | For all intents and purposes, a webinar is no different |
| noted regarding PDD/NOS (some of the | | | | than an in-person workshop or seminar, other than the |
| characteristics of autism) or autism spectrum disorder, | | | | fact that you can attend a webinar from anywhere |
| the family or parents can request that their school | | | | you choose, from your home or office, or a |
| district provide a comprehensive | | | | café down the street. Webinars last for |
| psychological-educational evaluation that identifies the | | | | approximately 2 hours and offer participants the |
| need for fine/gross motor, socio-emotional, academic, | | | | chance to ask questions of the presenters. Previously |
| and speech language supports. | | | | recorded webinars (those in the archives), however, |
| The evaluation can result in the recommendation of | | | | are not interactive, though you can still listen to the |
| many related services, ie. occupational and/or physical | | | | information, and the question and answer portion, at |
| therapy (OT/PT), academic support, social skills, or | | | | your convenience. |
| speech language skills. There are a host of unique and | | | | Some of the webinar topics that are popular are |
| effective methods, or treatments, for dealing with | | | | Autism 101 the Basics, IEP Strategies, ABA Therapy |
| autism, though there is no cure at the moment. | | | | and how it is used in the home and school, Asperger's |
| Educational interventions are vital for children to learn | | | | Syndrome and Bullying and Classroom inclusion. |
| academic subjects and also social interaction and | | | | Autism webinars cover a vast amount of information |
| cognitive skills, reduce disruptive behaviors, and help | | | | that will help you navigate the social, educational, |
| them apply their new skills into unique situations and | | | | dietary, and legal waters of the world of autism. The |
| environments. Applied behavior analysis, communication | | | | first step is to search Google and Yahoo for the term |
| intervention, sensory integration, and music therapy are | | | | Autism Webinars and you will find several websites |
| just a few of the many different therapies and | | | | that have them. |
| programs available to help parents work with their child | | | | |