Saturday, March 5, 2011

Whatever Works

 

Obviously I've been at this autism thing now for a few years.  In the beginning, they don't give you much to go on.  "There is no cure, ABA is the most effective treatment, can't promise you he or she will talk" blah, blah, blah.  I have learned in my journey that you have to forge your own path.  Each child is so different.  It seems that people in the "autism world" only believe in and recommend what they know.  For some it's ABA (applied behavior analysis).  ABA is great, but it's not the end all be all.  What about Discreet Trial Training or Floortime?  They are all great, and different kids will respond differently to each one.  Maybe a mixture of a little bit of everything is what works for your child.  But we parents and the "autism professionals" can be so biased as to what has worked for our child or other children.  The same is true for biomedical treatments.  Some parents, that's all they do......other throw in some speech, OT, social group, etc.  That is what is so difficult about this thing called autism.  There is no clear cut path.  You are the one that knows your child best.  You don't have to listen to the "autism professionals" if you feel like something isn't working for your child.  Maybe it's time to try something new.  As long as is will not hurt your child in any way....what do you have to lose?  If it weren't for parents scouring for answers, our kids wouldn't make any progress.  Be your child's advocate, and don't be afraid to do "whatever works" for him or her.

3 comments:

  1. my favorite line is 'no two children with autism are the same' - no kidding . . .

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  2. Very well put. There is no clear cut treatment, and all of us parents are fighting for our kids lives and futures. We all need to support each other, because it's a marathon not a sprint.

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