What should the parents of autistic childrend do at home?

Question

My 3 yr old is diagnosed of autism and we are anxious to get her help. Every place we contacted put us on the wait list for months. Is there anything we can do at home while we are waiting?

Answer 1

my four year old son was diagnose at twenty months,we immediatly contacted our local Regional Center and got services set up for at home ABA Therapy. he started off with a intense schedule of 40 hrs a week! he also got speech and occupational thearpy. after 6 mo. of at home therapist we discovered CHAI (childrens hospital autism prevention) and began to see major improvment. however once my son turned three he was not eligable for the program. we have since got him enrolled in a autism preschool program funded by the local school district. all of this was not by chance i spent alot of time on the phone and in the offices of many social workers,school adminastration,teachers,doctors and anyone else that could help us. i have learned alot in a short time and have worked with my son doing much of the same things he does with his practors.we have set up a computer we bought off craigslist so he can play learning games,you will find many autistic people love computers and anything electronic.my son also has a huge trampoline he loves,it has helped with his balance and keeps him engaged for a good while.we listen to music and this tends to sooth him when he is upset or we do compression and massage on his fore arms and legs wich we learned from the O/T.we go out and do all the things other kids do, it is important you practice inclusion in order to give your child the chance to be involved and have all the opprotunitys that others enjoy.get involved with the autistic community in your area,you will meet other familys and find support and understanding from people who face the same .keep in mind when advocating for yor daughter it is her right to have all the services due to her and dont let them put you off.you can buy a copy of specialneeds childrens rights. dont take no for a answer and demand you meeting , belive me you will start getting answers right away! its the law and the school district has to oblige you in a timely manner.

Answer 2

Most organisations that deal with autism recommend early intervention. The earlier the better. Most of these organisations do run early bird courses and it would be worth finding out what is available in your area. As a parent you should try to read as many books on understanding autism and strategies to deal with it. The better educated and able to understand what your child is going through the easier you will find it to cope. Understanding autism and how people with autism think does help an awful lot when dealing with difficult situations. There are some really good helpful books available so try to read up on the subject as much as possible. Don't lose heart with your child. Autistic children do some times have really bad days but just be patient and keep encouraging your child. I have a child who is autistic, she is the most interesting and funny person I know. I wouldn't be without her. Good luck.

Answer 3

At the age of three, your child is eligible for therapy through the public school system. It likely won't be as good as what you would get privately, but the preschool settings are usually very well done. AND you can get in immediately.

Read up at www.wrightslaw.com for your child's rights through the IDEA, and contact the school district you live in as soon as the holidays are over. Request in writing evaluation and placement for your child.

This isn't the end of the world. Autism can be scary, but your child is just the same person you knew before diagnosis, and they are still an amazing wonderful being. I love my children with autism, and I'm amazed by all that I learn from them.

Answer 4

First contact your school district. She will be evaluated through them and services will be provided through your school district. It is a federal law that any child age 3 and over that has a disability is entitled to a free and APPROPRIATE education through the school district. As for the appropriate part, contact your local chapter of the National Autism Society of America and they can give you information on advocates in your area that can help you navigate the educational maze!
ABA..applied behavior therapy is the most proven form of intervention for children with autism. I myself, have seen this educational approach work wonders! The most important thing you can do know is educate yourself so that you can fight for what is essential for your child. google 'autism' and you will get a bunch of links to groups that can help!
Best of luck on your journey!

Answer 5

You may be surprised at how quickly you will move up the waiting list -
meanwhile - you could ask the service that you are most hoping to get into what you can do to best support your child prior to getting into that service - they should be able to give you advice as to how they assist children in their care.
You haven't mentioned if your child can communicate - how they move etc - if communication is a problem you could try using pictures to encourage some simple choice making - I use favorite foods to motivate children to initally make choices - also music is a fabulous way to develop speech - singing simple songs - use c.d's
If your child is having movement issues also - try swimming or playing in the park - encourage climbing, crawling through things, jumping etc
Finally lots of play - this can be any toy your child enjoys - try to encourage turn taking - my turn - your turn - encourage them to wait for their turn - Make it fun!

Answer 6

That is the age when mine was diagnosis. There is aba therepy you can do at home. This is very simple but can cause alot of headache and heartache. First you need to actually see what your child can do. Name pictures of people, things, cows, that sorta thing and do not take nothing for granted my son knew when he needed a cup but when asked what do you do with a cup he couldnt say it.... It depends on the level your child is at also... my son is doing drawing shapes but he is 6... we are also doing names and what and who ??? If she has problems with looking at you then you can work on it or even responding to her name... pointing all kinds of things...
you want to keep ??? simple words like
What is your name? no answer or wrong answer say try again as plain as possible then ask again if no reply then you can prompt by saying....say jenny or whatever thier name is. then ask again...I know this sounds confusing but it does help....

Answer 7

I suggest going to your local library and doing some research on tactics that will help her specific case. There are many different things you can do to help her. Also you may contact your local schools and see if they will allow you to sit in on a class time. It helps to see how those educators work with other children. It might help you understand what you are up against as well as give you some new ideas. Good luck!

Answer 8

Go to www.autism.com You will find a ton of information on autism.There is a section with advice for parents of a recently diagnosed child.You can find out about different treatments, and parents rate the treatments,and tell how they feel they helped,or didn't help their child.Good luck!

Answer 9

you need to advance your philosophy of practise. What are your objectives on your son? What are the enormous concepts you have (objectives, hopes, and so on.)? What are your son's desires, academic and social? What are his strengths and his very own passions? then you definately can attempt to be certain what to do to make your philosophy a fact on your substantial different and young toddlers. in the journey that your son has an IEP out of your community college district, it quite is quite useful to start up there. in case you like the rfile, proceed engaged on the objectives. in case you felt the rfile grow to be lacking in specific aspects, rewrite it your self to reflect what you have faith to be substantial. Homeschooling will unfastened you to rearrange getting to understand stories on your son consistent together with his strengths. whilst construction your daily time table, think of regarding the situations of day whilst the two you and he are best. in comparison to a school room, you have the liberty to construct in appropriate time to transition from one interest to a various, you would be able to locate that exercising and chores are greater efficient to do contained in the morning and keep lecturers for a various time, case in point.

Answer 10

Hello...My daughter has severe autism (Rett Syndrome) and we do ABA therapy. You can show her pictures of 2 letters and have her choose the correct one to learn her ABCs, or numbers, nouns, etc. You can also do imitation and try to get her to mimic sounds you make.