For Friends and Family of someone with autism;
Thank you for caring and understanding. Sometimes that’s all we need; someone to check on us regularly so we know we are not alone. Isolation is the worst thing that can happen to a home with autism. Inclusion is the best thing.
For Parents, Guardians, and/or Caregivers;
So Your Child Has Autism; What I wish I’d known when I first learned my son was on the spectrum.
What should you do now for your autistic child?
You don’t know if your child has ASD (“Autism Spectrum Disorder”)? Check the following links for red flags:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/Pages/symptoms.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
This list may take months or years to accomplish. The faster and more help you can obtain for your child now, the better off they will be later on.
1. Get a diagnosis. Talk to your pediatrician to get started. He/she may refer you to someone else, such as a psychiatrist, neurologist, early intervention specialist, etc.
Your child may require various evaluations to obtain or explore a diagnosis. Whether your child’s doctor requires them or not, you may consider the following:
*Hearing test
*Sight exam
*MRI
*Blood allergy tests
2. Sign up for Early Intervention (If your child is 0 – 3 years old)
3. Contact your local school district and apply for diagnostic preschool or elementary programs (ages 3+). Public school programs are available until your child is 21 years old.
4. (For any age) Go through your insurance to obtain as much recommended therapy as possible. Use their website or call them directly to get a list of service providers they cover for the following therapies:
A. ABA (behavioral) therapy
B. Speech therapy
C. OT (occupational therapy)
D. Food therapy (if needed)
E. Any other therapies your child may require
F. Respite Care; Search to find the name is for the state-run service in your area.
*You may need to add your child’s name to a waiting list before he or she may receive help. Getting on that list is a victory!
Do your best for your child while you wait.
**Whatever your insurance will not cover, pay in cash if possible. For the best outcome, if your child is on the severe end of the spectrum, he or she needs 25-30 hours of therapy weekly. If you are unable to obtain that amount of therapy for your child, get as close to that number as you can.
5. Apply for other services through the state:
SSI – Disability Income (if needed–you must be earning below poverty level, and have almost no savings in order to qualify)
State help for people with disabilities – Assistance with your child in the home. This varies from state to state and depends on your income. The less you make the more you qualify for. The more money you make on your own, the more you can help your child without government help.
But if you need help, apply for it! The more assistance your child gets starting from a younger age, the more independent they can become as they get older. It is worth the effort in the midst of the daily survival. Life can become more than the struggle of surviving
Universe Rules 