Parents can experience a flood of emotions when they receive an autism diagnosis for their child. Once you start processing it all, it’s helpful to think of an autism diagnosis as a call to action.
While you might feel helpless, there are many things you can do for both your child and family to ensure your autism journey starts on the best possible footing.
That’s not to say there won’t be hiccups and rough waters to navigate. There always is when raising any child. What can get you through the tougher times is knowing your labor of love is helping your child grow up happy and as independent as possible.
Success starts with a plan of action
The very first thing you should do, after you’ve received an autism diagnosis for our child, is to focus on getting them the help they need to reach their full potential. Make it a priority and everything else will follow from there.
Here’s a look at the best first steps that should be included in your plan of action. Accomplishing Step 1 should bring you confidence and a sense of relief.
STEP #1
Enroll your child in early intervention care.
This is the most important thing you can do to help your child with autism, and you should act quickly. Early interventions for autism, like the gold standard ABA therapy, have a measurable impact on outcomes.
According to the National Institutes of Health, research shows that early diagnosis of autism (around two years of age) and early interventions are more likely to have major long-term positive effects on a child’s symptoms and the skills they can learn. This is because early interventions are delivered when a child’s brain is still forming connections with the world around them. Early interventions, like ABA therapy, help kids make the right connections that create a strong foundation for learning.
Choosing the appropriate early intervention programs for your child should be based on the findings of their diagnosis. ABA therapy addresses all the major areas of a child’s a development, from communication and language to social interaction and school readiness.
Many children with autism will have a team of professionals working together to meet their spectrum of needs, each offering their own area of expertise.
To find a qualified and accredited ABA therapy provider in your area, start your search here. To learn more about the different types of early interventions, check out this article.
STEP 2
Start learning all you can about autism and how it manifests in your child.
There are a lot of misconceptions about autism as well as new insights and developments that are coming to light since the growing rate autism has brought more attention to it.
It’s important to know the facts about autism in general and in the unique ways it affects your child. It will help you make informed decisions for your child and become their advocate.
Trusted sources of information include:
STEP 3
Enroll in parent training to support your child’s development and strengthen your relationship with them.
Ask your early intervention partners about parent training opportunities that will empower you with basic tips and techniques you can use with your child.
In the case of ABA therapy, parent training might entail teaching you how to use ABA therapy at home and when you’re out and about with your child. It can also show you how to successfully setup your home environment that brings out the best in your child and optimize your child’s sibling relationships.
Another benefit of parent training is you can provide extra opportunities for your child to practice what they’re learning during therapy.
STEP 4
Create routines and schedules for your child that adds predictability to their life.
This may sound boring to some, but children with autism prefer to know what’s going to happen and what’s expected of them. Confronting change and new situations can increase their stress and anxiety, if they don’t have the skills to successfully navigate the unfamiliar. You can help your child by setting up routines around all the daily events of their life, like preparing for bedtime, getting up in the morning, and sitting down for meals.
STEP 5
Find rewards that motivate your child to repeat wanted behaviors.
In ABA therapy, rewards are known as positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing unwanted behaviors, the idea is to focus on and reward the behaviors you want them to keep doing, which in turn can decrease unwanted behaviors. Rewards can be anything that motivates your child, like a sweet treat, extra time on the computer, or simple praise for a job well done.
STEP 6
Join a support group for parents of children with autism.
This is all about taking care of yourself so you’re in the best position mentally and emotionally to take care of your child. It can be a great comfort to share and open up with other parents who understand what you’re going through and can offer you advice along with words of encouragement.
Social networks like Facebook offer many support groups for parents of kids with autism. This is just one of them. Another social network to check out is Myautismteam.com. You may even be able to find a local support group that meets in person.
With these six steps, you’ll be well on your way to a brighter future for your whole family!
The autism and ABA therapy experts at The Behavior Exchange can help you take the first, most important step. If you live in North Texas or the Boulder area of Colorado, contact us today. Our full range of early intervention ABA therapy programs have earned the highest accreditation possible and the prestigious designation of a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence®. Our mission is to bring hope and meaningful change into the lives of families like yours.
