Having a child with a disability is never easy. There are a host of challenges that face the parents of a child diagnosed as autistic. These can range from securing the right services to finding help with employment. The entire family must work together to ensure that their child gets every possible assistance. Working with a good advocacy group is one of the best ways to find the most appropriate help.
From the very first day of their child's diagnosis the parents will need to understand just how important it is to educate themselves. Their first step should be to find a kind and caring autism advocate Bay area. This is someone who has already walked a mile, or two, in their shoes. The know how it feels to receive the devastating news about a much loved child. They also have invaluable first hand knowledge about how the system works.
Most autistic children are not diagnosed at birth. The sad irony of the situation is that most families leave the hospital with no idea that anything is wrong and no clue about the difficulties that lie ahead. They have no way to prepare for the changes that will happen to them. Being unable to prepare is one of the hardest things to cope with and many parents say this makes them feel as though they have let their child down in many ways. Moving ahead after such negative feelings is crucial and an essential part of the overall recovery process.
In many cases the family will only begin to realize that something is wrong as they child reaches the age of two and is not yet talking. Although there can be many other reasons for this it is still important to get a referral to an experienced neurologist. These highly trained specialists will run a battery of tests that include many markers for social and emotional development. When the diagnosis finally comes in the family will often feel exhausted and devastated. Their lives will have changed forever.
It takes many years of experience to learn about the laws surrounding special education and related services. There are many ways to secure necessary services without having to resort to confrontation. Parents need to know how important it is to maintain a cordial relationship with the local school system so that they get the best for their child. It is also important to be able to meet with teachers and school personnel on a regular basis.
Many autistic children find typical social situations far too over whelming. The noise, lights and chaos of a local play group can be enough to trigger a complete melt down. With this in mind there are many specially designed play groups just for special needs youngsters. They are run by experienced professionals and planned to meet their unique needs. For example, the number of children attending will be very few, maybe only two or three at a time to provide an opportunity to meet in more relaxed conditions.
Navigating the school system is one of the biggest challenges for most families. An autistic child may need a specialized placement in a smaller facility with specially trained staff. Advocacy groups typically have access to special education attorneys who really understand the law.
Networking with other local families is also one of the most valuable ways to help a child. There is the potential for new friends and play mates, along with social opportunities. Many parents are quite surprised by how many new friends they are also able to make.
From the very first day of their child's diagnosis the parents will need to understand just how important it is to educate themselves. Their first step should be to find a kind and caring autism advocate Bay area. This is someone who has already walked a mile, or two, in their shoes. The know how it feels to receive the devastating news about a much loved child. They also have invaluable first hand knowledge about how the system works.
Most autistic children are not diagnosed at birth. The sad irony of the situation is that most families leave the hospital with no idea that anything is wrong and no clue about the difficulties that lie ahead. They have no way to prepare for the changes that will happen to them. Being unable to prepare is one of the hardest things to cope with and many parents say this makes them feel as though they have let their child down in many ways. Moving ahead after such negative feelings is crucial and an essential part of the overall recovery process.
In many cases the family will only begin to realize that something is wrong as they child reaches the age of two and is not yet talking. Although there can be many other reasons for this it is still important to get a referral to an experienced neurologist. These highly trained specialists will run a battery of tests that include many markers for social and emotional development. When the diagnosis finally comes in the family will often feel exhausted and devastated. Their lives will have changed forever.
It takes many years of experience to learn about the laws surrounding special education and related services. There are many ways to secure necessary services without having to resort to confrontation. Parents need to know how important it is to maintain a cordial relationship with the local school system so that they get the best for their child. It is also important to be able to meet with teachers and school personnel on a regular basis.
Many autistic children find typical social situations far too over whelming. The noise, lights and chaos of a local play group can be enough to trigger a complete melt down. With this in mind there are many specially designed play groups just for special needs youngsters. They are run by experienced professionals and planned to meet their unique needs. For example, the number of children attending will be very few, maybe only two or three at a time to provide an opportunity to meet in more relaxed conditions.
Navigating the school system is one of the biggest challenges for most families. An autistic child may need a specialized placement in a smaller facility with specially trained staff. Advocacy groups typically have access to special education attorneys who really understand the law.
Networking with other local families is also one of the most valuable ways to help a child. There is the potential for new friends and play mates, along with social opportunities. Many parents are quite surprised by how many new friends they are also able to make.
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