My friend just found out her 18 month old daughter may be Autistic. I have a special needs child, but the treatment for autism is way different. If anyone out there has an autistic child, or knows anything about autism it would help.
2007-07-27 03:55:39 · 2 answers · asked by .. 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
We're from VA. She's already getting OT and Speech through Early Intervention.
2007-07-27 04:03:50 · update #1
I have worked with children with autism for about 10 years now. The fact they caught it so early is great. Services depend on where you live though. Which state does she live in? Children with autism need intensive treatment. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has a lot of research behind it and is probably the very best method. Here in California we provide all these services for free, but I know in many other states parents have to pay. The program that I worked in provided 40 hrs/wk of 1:1 ABA programming in home, for children over the age of 3. It's less hours before that. These programs cost about $100,000 a year per child, and it's totally free to parents here.
She will need way more than OT and speech if she gets the actual diagnosis. They have to get the diagnosis first though.
2007-07-27 04:02:09 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Early intervention is key. Check out what services are available in your area, including in the surrounding towns and school systems.
Also helpful to look for a support group.
And unfortunately, you sometimes have to be pushy to get what you want/need for your child. Don't let them tell you no.
2007-07-27 11:03:45 · answer #2 · answered by berrel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋