#4 "What to do While You Wait, Investigate!" ~ Programs, Therapies, & Interventions with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
< My Thoughts > The severity of a child’s behavior, the amount of support, the temperament of the child and parents all contribute to the family becoming isolated or seeking help. Help can come from Programs, Therapies, & other Interventions.
Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed yet, s/he may be eligible for Early Intervention Services. The IDEA Law says that children under the age of 3 years old who are at-risk for having developmental delays may be eligible for services.
Some programs are expensive, so understand your child well enough to know what things may work and what may not. While you are waiting, try to discover who your child is behind the autism. There is danger in believing that ‘one-program-fits-all’ because each child is so different in their abilities and their challenges. That’s just a reality.
When trying to get to know the child behind the autism, understand that s/he may be showing symptoms of more than one problem, challenge, or disorder. Misdiagnosis can result in your child receiving unnecessary or inappropriate services. Over diagnosis can also have negative consequences. Some tests provide overlapping information and that’s okay because clinicians will know how to sort everything out. Guard against becoming convinced that a program is going to ‘fix’ your child’s autism.
#4 Programs, Therapies, & Interventions: #4 Introduction, #4A Behavior/Communication Programs, #4B Dietary/Medication, #4C Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAMs) with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Introduction -
Before looking for a program… Prioritize your child’s
‘needs’… Prioritize your ‘wants’
In other words…
What is the most frightening
or destructive thing going on
right now in your child’s world?
Much of the diagnostic information will come from parents. So once again, be sure that you know your child well enough to give insightful but honest responses to all inquiries. If your child is in school, they will have critical input. Video taping (most smart phones have apps) can show what you may have difficulty expressing in words. You are looking for a way to ease the current situation. This may take time and diligence.
Prioritize. Is your child repeatedly doing weird things? Is s/he refusing to eat to the point where it is life threatening? Is s/he biting you, screaming and kicking in walls? Tantrumming, having meltdowns and causing self-abuse? Is s/he a danger to his or herself or others? Then your child is asking for help the only way they are able to.
NOTE about: “Programs, Therapies, & Interventions”
Information about INTERVENTIONS, THERAPIES, PROGRAMS, and/or TREATMENTS is presented without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness; or even with the title of an autism ‘intervention’. Most places in the literature and even in some laws, the word ‘intervention’ is often used interchangeably with ‘instructional/educational program’, ‘therapy’, and ‘treatment’. The very word ‘INTERVENTION’ when used in the same sentence as ‘autism’ implies ‘cure’ or ‘long-term’ effect. That is NOT the intention here.
Autism ‘intervention’ as with the phrase, “Early Detection / Early Intervention” may simply mean an ‘action’, or an attempt to ‘change a course’ or trajectory of autism. Also, the expectation for success is that all ‘interventions/therapies/programs will have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
There are many different types of treatment programs, interventions, and services being tried by parents and schools. Also, your child’s challenges may require having several non-competing therapies at once. Therefore, carefully consider the cost and time involved for your child and your family. Be very careful to fully understand your obligations. Remember that gym/spa membership you paid for every month for three years, even though you only went there a few times? You could find yourself in the same type of situation.
Here are some Programs, Therapies, & Interventions described by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – Retrieved online from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html
Early Intervention Services; these services are provided through your state & may provide testing or evaluation for your child. This may be your first step.
#4A Behavior/Communication Programs
Behavior & Communication; Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Developmental Individual Differences Relation-Based-Approach (aka DIR/Floortime), Treatment & Education of Autistic & related Communication-handicapped Children (TEAACH), Occupational Therapy (OT), Sensory Integration Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Speech Therapy, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).
#4B Dietary Approaches; many of these treatments are unproven. But, a medical doctor may recommend biomedical intervention after testing your child for food allergies, gastrointestinal problems, and/or nutritional deficiencies.
and
Medication; there are no specific medications for ASD, only medications to treat related symptoms such as energy levels, inability to focus, depression, and/or seizures. Most often these are costly substance controlled drugs which need extremely careful monitoring for dosage and side effects.
#4C Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAMs); these are treatments outside those typically recommended by the medical profession and without rigorous scientific research. Such as – auditory integration therapy, facilitated communication, gluten/casein-free diets, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, probiotics, acupuncture, vitamin supplements, chelation therapy, immunoglobulin infusions, animal therapy, massage therapy, creative therapy (art & music) etc.
Advice given by the CDC… Advice to parents – “An ideal treatment coordinates therapies to address the core disorders the child is experiencing. An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests and engages the child. More reliable than miracle cures, which appear in magazines, parents should seek out the thoroughly researched and well-documented data derived from carefully controlled clinical research.”
< My Thoughts > Parents, before posting more information on all of these choices, let me offer my sincerest wishes that you first get to know your child. Getting to know your child will help you bring balance, peace, and harmony to the life of your child, yourself, and the rest of your family by choosing the best intervention.
Clarify and prioritize what concerns you the most. Some of you will have mild concerns, while others are living in a state of high situational stress and hyper-vigilance because of your child’s continual actions. Both need to be addressed. These are not phases which will pass; these are serious concerns which can be dealt with through intervention. The sooner the better but not before you check things out thoroughly.
Choosing the program/treatment/service/intervention which meets your child’s needs right now and in the future takes careful finding, funding, and planning.
Retrieved online from a Pediatric Neurology site – http://www.childbrain.com/pddq11.shtml / Parents look at setting these three priorities:
More of < My Thoughts > The severity of a child’s behavior, the amount of support available, the temperament of the child and parents will all contribute to the family either becoming isolated or seeking help. Help can come from local, private, state, and federal Programs, Therapies, and Interventions.
Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed yet, s/he may be eligible for Early Intervention Services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Law) says that children under the age of 3 years old who are at-risk for having developmental delays may be eligible for services. Of course, it’s up to you to start the funding process.
Most programs are expensive, so understand your child well enough to know what things may work and what may not. While you are waiting, try to discover who your child is behind the autism. There is danger in believing that ‘one-program-fits-all’ because each child is so different in their abilities and their challenges. That’s just another reality.
< My Thoughts >
The (CDC) seems to direct one back around to the IDEA Law (from above) which says… “Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed yet, s/he may be eligible for Early Intervention Services. The IDEA Law says that children under the age of 3 years old who are at-risk for having developmental delays may be eligible for services.” The website also offers the following information retrieved online from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html
Additional Treatment Resources:
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has a website to help individuals with an ASD who have communication challenges.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has a website to help health professionals with the oral health care needs of patients with an ASD.
Clinical Trials.Gov lists federally funded clinical trials that are looking for participants. If you or someone you know would like to take part in an autism study, go to the website and search “autism.”
The Autism Treatment Network (ATN) seeks to create standards of medical treatment that will be made broadly available to physicians, researchers, parents, policy makers, and others who want to improve the care of individuals with autism. ATN is also developing a shared national medical database to record the results of treatments and studies at any of their five established regional treatment centers.
Another website with information is www.hhs.gov › Programs
This website has a wealth of information, but refers the viewer to other websites such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov. (NIH).
It seems that most/all programs require some help from your insurance. And some insurance companies will only pay for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs. That doesn’t mean that will be the best fit for your child. So, you will find yourself in the maze trying to find a way to the best services for YOUR child.
End of #4 INFORMATION & RESOURCES with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker.
< My Thoughts > Parents, before posting more information on all of these choices, let me offer my sincerest wishes that you first get to know your child. Getting to know your child will help you bring balance, peace, and harmony to the life of your child, yourself, and the rest of your family by choosing the best intervention.
Clarify and prioritize what concerns you the most. Some of you will have mild concerns, while others are living in a state of high situational stress and hyper-vigilance because of your child’s continual actions. Both need to be addressed. These are not phases which will pass; these are serious concerns which can be dealt with through intervention. The sooner the better but not before you check things out thoroughly.
Choosing the program/treatment/service/intervention which meets your child’s needs right now and in the future takes careful finding, funding, and planning.
Retrieved online from a Pediatric Neurology site – http://www.childbrain.com/pddq11.shtml / Parents look at setting these three priorities:
- First priority: Temper tantrums & life threatening behavior such as hitting, throwing objects, jumping from high places, running into the street, or refusing to eat.
- Second priority: Learning sitting & attending skills. Without these skills, the child cannot sit to eat or to learn.
- Third priority: Dealing with unusual or bizarre practices, which may result in social isolation. Such as – Pervasive repetition of activities, self-stimulatory behavior, production of unusual sounds, and/or severely restricted interests.
More of < My Thoughts > The severity of a child’s behavior, the amount of support available, the temperament of the child and parents will all contribute to the family either becoming isolated or seeking help. Help can come from local, private, state, and federal Programs, Therapies, and Interventions.
Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed yet, s/he may be eligible for Early Intervention Services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Law) says that children under the age of 3 years old who are at-risk for having developmental delays may be eligible for services. Of course, it’s up to you to start the funding process.
Most programs are expensive, so understand your child well enough to know what things may work and what may not. While you are waiting, try to discover who your child is behind the autism. There is danger in believing that ‘one-program-fits-all’ because each child is so different in their abilities and their challenges. That’s just another reality.
< My Thoughts >
The (CDC) seems to direct one back around to the IDEA Law (from above) which says… “Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed yet, s/he may be eligible for Early Intervention Services. The IDEA Law says that children under the age of 3 years old who are at-risk for having developmental delays may be eligible for services.” The website also offers the following information retrieved online from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html
Additional Treatment Resources:
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has a website to help individuals with an ASD who have communication challenges.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has a website to help health professionals with the oral health care needs of patients with an ASD.
Clinical Trials.Gov lists federally funded clinical trials that are looking for participants. If you or someone you know would like to take part in an autism study, go to the website and search “autism.”
The Autism Treatment Network (ATN) seeks to create standards of medical treatment that will be made broadly available to physicians, researchers, parents, policy makers, and others who want to improve the care of individuals with autism. ATN is also developing a shared national medical database to record the results of treatments and studies at any of their five established regional treatment centers.
Another website with information is www.hhs.gov › Programs
This website has a wealth of information, but refers the viewer to other websites such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov. (NIH).
It seems that most/all programs require some help from your insurance. And some insurance companies will only pay for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs. That doesn’t mean that will be the best fit for your child. So, you will find yourself in the maze trying to find a way to the best services for YOUR child.
End of #4 INFORMATION & RESOURCES with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker.
NOTE about: “Programs, Therapies, & Interventions”
Information about INTERVENTIONS, THERAPIES, PROGRAMS, and/or TREATMENTS is presented without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness; or even with the title of an autism ‘intervention’. Most places in the literature and even in some laws, the word ‘intervention’ is used interchangeably with ‘instructional/educational program’, ‘therapy’, and ‘treatment’. The very word ‘INTERVENTION’ when used in the same sentence with ‘autism’ may imply ‘cure’ or ‘long-term’ effect. That is NOT the intention here.
Autism ‘intervention’ as with the phrase, “Early Detection / Early Intervention” may simply mean an ‘action’, or an attempt to ‘change a course’ or trajectory of autism. Also, the expectation for success is that all ‘interventions/therapies/programs will have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
There are many different types of treatment programs, interventions, and services being tried by parents and schools. Also, your child’s challenges may require having several non-competing therapies at once. Therefore, carefully consider the cost and time involved for your child and your family. Be very careful to fully understand your obligations. To some, AUTISM is a business. So, remember that gym/spa membership you paid for every month for three years, even though you only went there a few times? You could find yourself in the same type of situation here.
Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts to create the extended book reviews presented here on this website. I have permission from the authors to publish these Extended Book Reviews. This is just a sharing of stories of those who have gone on before us. Please, understand also that all health matters ALWAYS require professional medical decisions, diagnosis, and treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals.
Recently, I have added “What to Do While You Wait” to the website. This collection of information is for educational purposes only; to begin your investigation and search for knowledge. My hope is that you will not feel alone when dealing with the mysteries of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Regards,
Sara Luker
Information about INTERVENTIONS, THERAPIES, PROGRAMS, and/or TREATMENTS is presented without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness; or even with the title of an autism ‘intervention’. Most places in the literature and even in some laws, the word ‘intervention’ is used interchangeably with ‘instructional/educational program’, ‘therapy’, and ‘treatment’. The very word ‘INTERVENTION’ when used in the same sentence with ‘autism’ may imply ‘cure’ or ‘long-term’ effect. That is NOT the intention here.
Autism ‘intervention’ as with the phrase, “Early Detection / Early Intervention” may simply mean an ‘action’, or an attempt to ‘change a course’ or trajectory of autism. Also, the expectation for success is that all ‘interventions/therapies/programs will have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
There are many different types of treatment programs, interventions, and services being tried by parents and schools. Also, your child’s challenges may require having several non-competing therapies at once. Therefore, carefully consider the cost and time involved for your child and your family. Be very careful to fully understand your obligations. To some, AUTISM is a business. So, remember that gym/spa membership you paid for every month for three years, even though you only went there a few times? You could find yourself in the same type of situation here.
Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts to create the extended book reviews presented here on this website. I have permission from the authors to publish these Extended Book Reviews. This is just a sharing of stories of those who have gone on before us. Please, understand also that all health matters ALWAYS require professional medical decisions, diagnosis, and treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals.
Recently, I have added “What to Do While You Wait” to the website. This collection of information is for educational purposes only; to begin your investigation and search for knowledge. My hope is that you will not feel alone when dealing with the mysteries of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Regards,
Sara Luker