How is autism actually treated? You hear people saying the diagnosis changed their kids life or it’s important to be diagnosed early, but how?
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Early intervention usually uses games.
When my son was 30 months old he was still not talking or making eye contact. He didn’t notice people’s facial expressions or pay attention to how their mouths moved when they formed words. He was paying attention to the world around him but not to the things that most young kids do.
We played a game with him where we put a cup on our head and said ah… ah… ah… Choo! And he loved the buildup and laughed every time we said Choo! . But we would keep saying ah until he looked at our eyes. Then we’d immediately yell Choo in our biggest silliest most expressive way.
That game was the first one that taught him to make eye contact naturally. He still doesn’t love eye contact, like a lot of people on the spectrum. But that game helped.
There are other games designed for similar goals. A common goal for late talking kids is developing the muscles in the face and mouth.
Blowing on a pinwheel is a good exercise for that. Some kids might not like pinwheels. Take a small piece of paper and use a straw to blow it towards the kiddo. React positively. Give them a straw and let them try. Reward them for any success. It seems silly but it can really help.
I dont think anyone has covered legal protections. I got diagnosed yesterday, my employer is now required to demonstrate efforts to accomdate my needs. I need the light bulb unscrewed above my desk, to be allowed to wear noise cancelling headphone when needed and to be excused from all social events – some of which were mandatory before.
Early intervention usually uses games.
When my son was 30 months old he was still not talking or making eye contact. He didn’t notice people’s facial expressions or pay attention to how their mouths moved when they formed words. He was paying attention to the world around him but not to the things that most young kids do.
We played a game with him where we put a cup on our head and said ah… ah… ah… Choo! And he loved the buildup and laughed every time we said Choo! . But we would keep saying ah until he looked at our eyes. Then we’d immediately yell Choo in our biggest silliest most expressive way.
That game was the first one that taught him to make eye contact naturally. He still doesn’t love eye contact, like a lot of people on the spectrum. But that game helped.
There are other games designed for similar goals. A common goal for late talking kids is developing the muscles in the face and mouth.
Blowing on a pinwheel is a good exercise for that. Some kids might not like pinwheels. Take a small piece of paper and use a straw to blow it towards the kiddo. React positively. Give them a straw and let them try. Reward them for any success. It seems silly but it can really help.
I dont think anyone has covered legal protections. I got diagnosed yesterday, my employer is now required to demonstrate efforts to accomdate my needs. I need the light bulb unscrewed above my desk, to be allowed to wear noise cancelling headphone when needed and to be excused from all social events – some of which were mandatory before.
Honestly, it’s not. Take a look at the unemployment numbers for autistic adults…80-90% of us (I’m autistic and included in this number) are unemployed. We have a homeless rate 3000-6000% higher than the average population. Our suicide rate is much higher than the general population, as is the rate that we are victims of abuse.
Autistic adults live some of the hardest lives out there, and there are very few options for treatment.
Honestly, it’s not. Take a look at the unemployment numbers for autistic adults…80-90% of us (I’m autistic and included in this number) are unemployed. We have a homeless rate 3000-6000% higher than the average population. Our suicide rate is much higher than the general population, as is the rate that we are victims of abuse.
Autistic adults live some of the hardest lives out there, and there are very few options for treatment.
Access to support primarily. I am a teacher and at a school I worked at a few years ago, there was a new 6yr old kid who hadn’t been diagnosed as his family had come from another country where knowledge and access is limited. He spent most days being supervised by our CYW while he yelled and ran down the halls, kicking and smashing lockers. There’s a lot to red tape and he wouldn’t have been allowed to go into the specialized autism class until he was diagnosed, which took a few months as everything needs to be approved and then parents have to take him to a doctor.
I was back at the school in the winter. He has been in the specialized class for 2 years now and he’s done a complete 180. He follows instructions, says words now, works on his bins independently, and has access to a sensory room when he needs it.
Kids all over the spectrum require IEPs in order to access the supports needed for them to be successful. We legally cannot provide these supports without an identification.
Access to support primarily. I am a teacher and at a school I worked at a few years ago, there was a new 6yr old kid who hadn’t been diagnosed as his family had come from another country where knowledge and access is limited. He spent most days being supervised by our CYW while he yelled and ran down the halls, kicking and smashing lockers. There’s a lot to red tape and he wouldn’t have been allowed to go into the specialized autism class until he was diagnosed, which took a few months as everything needs to be approved and then parents have to take him to a doctor.
I was back at the school in the winter. He has been in the specialized class for 2 years now and he’s done a complete 180. He follows instructions, says words now, works on his bins independently, and has access to a sensory room when he needs it.
Kids all over the spectrum require IEPs in order to access the supports needed for them to be successful. We legally cannot provide these supports without an identification.
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