When a child is first diagnosed with autism parents go through a range of emotions. Those emotions may include sadness or fear of the unknown as they wonder what the future will hold for their child. Will their child marry, have a family, go to college, or have a job? All the expectations they had for their child prior to the diagnosis may have a new degree of uncertainty. Parents can help their child reach their highest potential by being informed and involved in their care and their lives.
Each Child with Autism is Unique
Autism is defined primarily by three areas that may be affected, including communication, social interaction, and behaviors. However, each child with autism is unique in the degree to which any one of these areas may be affected as well as how they are affected. Although there are three levels of severity of autism, a diagnosis of higher severity should not discourage a parent from working to help their child make as much progress as they possibly can. Similarly, a diagnosis of lower severity is not a guarantee that a child will be able to achieve specific goals.
The Original Diagnosis
Parents can learn about and better understand their child’s initial skill levels by reading the original diagnostic report and asking questions of the diagnosing practitioner. The practitioner should be willing to meet with the parents to review and discuss the report.
The original diagnostic report should be considered the baseline for your child’s skill levels. Re-evaluations every three years, preferably with the same practitioner, can help parents see where progress is being made as well as areas where additional focus is needed.
Involvement in ABA Therapy
The first step in starting ABA therapy will be an assessment completed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA will use this assessment to help develop a treatment plan. Both the assessment and treatment plan will be reviewed with the parents before starting treatment. That information will give the parents a good idea of their child’s skill levels and goals. Treatment plans are updated at least every six months and will be reviewed with the parents again. These biannual reviews will enable the parents to see ongoing progress.
Parent training sessions are a very important opportunity for parents to talk to the BCBA about their child’s progress and to learn how they can help their child develop skills. Parent training sessions are scheduled a minimum of every two weeks and preferably weekly.
Parents as Case Managers
Children with autism may have providers from several areas including ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, a pediatrician, and a psychiatrist. Children with autism may also be attending school. BCBAs will coordinate care with the other providers, but parents can be the most effective at
communicating with all providers on an ongoing basis.
Parents must almost be case managers for their children, communicating with all providers so that they can adjust the child’s therapies as appropriate. Issues that the child is experiencing at school should be communicated to the child’s BCBA so that those issues can be addressed in the ABA environment to the extent possible and so that the BCBA can provide advice to the parent or teacher about how to address the issues at school. Medication changes should also be communicated to your child’s BCBA and the child’s school so that the BCBA and school teachers can relay to the parents the positive or negative side effects of the changes. This information will help the child’s doctor decide whether to make adjustments.
Know Your Child
One of the best ways to understand your child’s skills and potential is to observe their therapy sessions, either in person or by viewing remotely. Watching your child work with their therapists allows the parent to see what the assessments and plans represent and what their child can do. Spending time with your child with autism at home helps parents to see where they are and get a sense of what they might be capable of doing. BCBAs can help parents with suggestions of things to do with their child at home, whether play activities or working on specific skills.
Parents Can Impact Their Child’s Future
Regardless of the level of a child’s autism diagnosis, parents are a key part of making their child’s future the best that it can be for the child and their family. Any skills that a child can learn and develop can be positively impacted by parents understanding their current skill levels and the goals that have been established by providers for their child. Parents can also positively impact their child’s future by their own involvement with their child, communication with their child’s providers, and coordinating the care between providers. The future may not be certain, but it’s full of possibilities!
Steps to Progress is here to support your child and your family. Whether your child was just recently diagnosed or not, we can help you learn more about autism and ABA therapy. Contact us today!
