| As soon as a child is diagnosed with autism, families, | | | | families should be more hopeful about the future, |
| particularly parents will surely be bombarded with | | | | knowing that the absence of a cure does not mean |
| research that centers on 'recovery' or 'cure.' For the | | | | the absence of a great life. |
| majority, this has become the focus of their efforts. As | | | | How can we overcome obstacles? One of the best |
| time passes most families view the absence of a cure | | | | approaches that is worth looking into is that it must be |
| as equivalent to a tragedy. | | | | home and community based. Enhancing the quality of |
| There is good news though. It is highly possible to | | | | life needs an approach that deals with behavior |
| mend and improve the quality of life for those with | | | | concerns in normal situations at home, workplace, |
| autism including their families through a carefully | | | | school, and community. Let's take into consideration a |
| designed support for positive, constructive behavior. | | | | simple academic skill like learning to name colors. You |
| Let us establish a vision first. What do we aim to | | | | might say that this may not have much impact to the |
| achieve? What is considered as a meaningful life for | | | | family life but in fact, it will benefit the child in many |
| people with autism? With adequate support, families | | | | ways. Take him to the intersection. You can teach that |
| aim to promote independence to their loved one who | | | | green means look both ways and if there's no traffic, |
| is autistic. As children, it's ideal for them to go on with | | | | cross the road. Red means "don't move!" This manner |
| their daily routines at home, parents are educated as | | | | of teaching encourages not only independence in |
| to how to substitute problem behaviors to socially | | | | adults, but safety, and a sense of confidence in his |
| accepted ones. As soon as these children become | | | | parents' minds. |
| adults, they should be able to live in their own home, | | | | The same holds true for problem behavior. The goal of |
| with housemates of their choice. They should be able | | | | the family should be to reduce the level of frustration |
| to get a job that matches their skills and interests. | | | | to weaken the need for problem behavior. They can |
| While not all people with autism can accomplish and | | | | be taught how to effectively communicate their needs |
| experience these positive outcomes, a great number | | | | or frustrations. You can also reach out for emotional |
| will attain some or even most. With these in mind, | | | | support to your respective communities. |