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My Child Just Got Diagnosed, Now Wha . . .
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My Child Just Got Diagnosed, Now What?
Finding out from your doctor that your child has been diagnosed with autism, PDD NOS, or Asperger Syndrome can cause a mixed reaction. First comes relief that you are not crazy and that your child's difficult behaviors are not the result of "bad parenting." Then comes the feelings of grief and thoughts of "Why me?" "Why my child?" Followed quickly by general feelings of being overwhelmed as you struggle to know what to do now to help your child.
When your child gets diagnosed, first talk to the doctor to see if he can give you some information on how to help your child. Discuss with your doctor whether or not your child may need Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapy. If you child is not currently seeing a psychologist, check to see if your insurance will cover going to one that specializes in autism or Asperger syndrome. A psychologist can sometimes be your best help in knowing where to turn and can often provide you with tools and ideas, such as Floor Time, that you can use with your child.
Next, if your child is not in school yet, call the special education department of your local school district. Find out if they have a pre-school program that your child can attend. If they have a pre-school program through the special education department, you should not have to pay for it. If your town does not have one, you might want to check neighboring school districts. Often, the pre-school programs will use Structured Teaching, PECS (Picture Exchange System) or discrete trial all of which are helpful for children with an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). They also have access to speech, physical and occupational therapy. If your child is younger than 3, some states do not have a pre-school classroom for under three but may offer another program for birth to three. You will want to get as much intervention as you can while your child is young.
Once you are in the pre-school classroom, talk to the Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists. They will be able to help you by providing ideas, pictures to use, and information about how to deal with some of the communication and sensory issues your child may face. If you are not able to get into a pre-school program, call your local school and ask to talk to the Occupational or Speech Therapist. They should be able to give you ideas or at least point you in the right direction for getting help from the school district.
If your child is all ready in school, talk to the school psychologist. He or she will be able to help you get the help your child will need in school. Most schools and districts are on your side and will be easy to work with. However, there are some that can be more difficult to work with. Remember that you are your child's advocate and be aware of your rights. IDEA is special legislation for people with disabilities. For more information about IDEA and how it affects schooling and IEPS go to http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/. There is a lot to read but the information is worthwhile if you are struggling to get you're the help your child needs. You may also want to ask the school psychologist for a copy of your rights and responsibilities (they are often given at IEP meetings).
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