Last updated 9 months ago
Parenting a child with autism is a rewarding experience, but it also brings some challenges. Education and support for parents and the entire family is a crucial part of autism treatment. If you have a child with autism, these tips will help you help your child:
Seek Help Early It can be distressing to notice that your child is showing signs of a developmental delay or autism, but ignoring the symptoms could make treatment more difficult and less effective. As soon as you recognize a potential problem, call your doctor immediately. Even if you’re worried you’re overreacting, it is better to allow a doctor to decide if there is an issue. Early intervention is extremely helpful in developing treatment plans.
Have a Schedule Children with autism respond well to strict schedules. The consistency of the schedule gives them a sense of security. Have meals, snacks, playtime, and bedtime on a regular schedule as much as possible. If there are to be disruptions, let your child know as far in advance as possible, and remind him or her frequently about the change. Return to the usual schedule as soon as possible.
Be Consistent with Treatments If your child communicates in one way during therapy and a different way at home, it can get confusing. The same is true of behavioral expectations and reactions to tantrums. Work with your child’s therapist to get on the same page about things like non-verbal communications and how you’ll respond if your child acts up. This consistency will help your child understand what to expect.
Make Time for Yourself Caring for a child with autism is demanding. You will be a better caregiver if you don’t neglect yourself. Look for autism support groups in your area, and consider respite care. With respite care, a trained caregiver will fill in for you, so you can take a break. Respite care is available for hours or even weeks at a time. Know that it is okay to need some time to rest.
STAR California is available to support families of children with autism. We offer evidence-based autism treatments and services for parents dealing with autism. Call us today at (805) 624-6982 to talk to one of our specialists.
Last updated 9 months ago
Finding the right treatment for a child with autism can be difficult, because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different autism therapies work for different people, and there is little way to figure out which treatment will be most effective for a child with autism aside from trial and error. One thing you can do, however, is be sure that every treatment you try for your child is evidence-based. Non-evidence-based autism treatments can not only be a waste of time, but they can also be dangerous.
Evidence-based treatments for autism have been tested in controlled scientific experiments and been shown to be effective and safe. These treatments have been tested in objective studies and have been reported in medical journals so that other doctors and scientists can scrutinize the testing methods and repeat the tests to see if they get the same results. In short, an evidence-based treatment is one that is safe and has been shown to help improve the condition in some children with autism.
There are a variety of evidence-based autism treatments doctors and families can try, including behavioral training and management, medication for depression and compulsive behaviors, and parent training to make parenting a child with autism easier. Specialized therapies to address specific symptoms, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, may also help.
Before you embark on any autism treatment, ask your doctor to discuss the evidence of its effectiveness. Ask whether the treatment is based on studies that have been published in medical journals, if there is a known success rate for the particular treatment, and why doctors think the treatment works for children with autism. An evidence-based treatment will have been tested by the medical community and have a record of success.
At STAR California, we only use evidence-based treatments to support children with autism. Call (805) 624-6982 to learn more about our treatments and how we can support your whole family as you face treatment for your child with autism.
Last updated 9 months ago
Though the diagnoses of children with autism continue to grow, so too do the therapy resources available to parents. If you would like to learn more about autism spectrum disorder and the treatment options for it, read the following articles:
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Parents magazine separates autism fact from fiction for concerned caregivers.
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A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is based upon several methods of behavioral and developmental analysis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains how autism specialists screen for ASD.
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A highly effective autism treatment option is Pivotal Response Therapy. AutismSpeaks.org describes how this therapy benefits children with autism.
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As the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports, the social skills of a child with autism can greatly improve as a result of peer intervention.
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Parents of children with autism must take certain precautions to ensure the wellbeing of their children. WebMD.com lists some of these preventative safety measures.
STAR California provides autism therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. To learn more about our support options or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations, call us today at (805) 624-6982.
