You take your role as a parent or guardian seriously and you want to do what you can to give your child the very best start in life. But then your child receives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and you’re wondering how to best navigate this new challenge.
ASD is identified in about 1 out of every 36 kids in the United States so you’re certainly not alone in trying to figure out this new landscape. We want to assure you that even though you may feel a little lost right now, we offer some great services for kids with ASD.
Here at Celebrations Speech Group, our team of experienced speech and occupational therapists takes great pride in working with kids with ASD and we’re confident we can help you and your child, too.
To give you an idea about where to go from here, read on.
Our first recommendation is an important one — seek our help as soon as you receive an ASD diagnosis. According to research, getting help for your child early on can set your child up for long-term success down the road.
Most kids are diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 5, when their brains are still develop[ing and more “plastic.” If we’re able to intervene during this critical development phase, the outcomes are far more positive. In fact, some kids make enough progress with this early intervention that they leave the spectrum entirely, but this depends upon where your child falls on the spectrum in the first place.
When we refer to intervention, we’re referring to the different therapies we offer, including:
Each of these therapies is critical for kids with ASD as this developmental disorder can affect all of these areas — communication, speech, learning and development, and socialization.
The fact that you're reading this is important because education is key when it comes to helping a child who’s on the autism spectrum. While we can certainly do our part to help your child develop and integrate, parents are the ones who really do the heavy lifting.
Of course, we will sit down with you to discuss your child’s ASD and what we think would work best, but it’s helpful if you have a broader understanding of this condition. So, doing a little research on autism on your own is a very good idea and a great place to start is with Autism Speaks.
Another good idea is to join some support groups for parents of kids who have ASD, which not only offer great information and practical advice, but critical camaraderie.
While an ASD diagnosis certainly wasn’t part of your plans, it’s your new reality now and you’re in the right place to move forward. We will be there to guide your child forward, providing them with every tool available to help them lead a happy and productive life.
During this time, be patient, but also optimistic that your wonderful, loving child is receiving the best possible care and support.
For expert treatment of autism spectrum disorder, please contact one of our offices in Brentwood, Stockton, or Elk Grove, California, to schedule a consultation
