Becoming a new parent is typically one of the most life changing events most people ever experience. There really is nothing to prepare someone for the over whelming sense of responsibility they will feel. Having the care of a helpless infant in their hands is a very profound experience. Yet for some parents the changes are far more intense. When a baby or young child is diagnosed with a disability the responsibilities are even more intense.
From the very first day of their child's diagnosis the parents will need to understand just how important it is to educate themselves. Their first step should be to find a kind and caring autism advocate Bay area. This is someone who has already walked a mile, or two, in their shoes. The know how it feels to receive the devastating news about a much loved child. They also have invaluable first hand knowledge about how the system works.
As soon as the diagnosis is official the child will qualify for a number of services. This is why having very comprehensive neurological and psychological evaluations is so important. There are many services available including speech and language, fine motor, gross motor, school readiness and social skills. Some children will need all of these services, whilst an other may only need one or two.
Any Bay area parent who has concerns should discuss them with their family doctor. This will usually lead to a referral to a specialist. Complete psychological evaluations will need to be done that will indicate the child's strengths and weaknesses. Simply having a speech delay does not mean that the child is autistic. However, an accurate diagnosis is needed so that the correct interventions can be arranged.
One of the first steps the parents should take is to contact their local parent support group. These groups exist in just about every part of the country, living in a highly populated place such as the Bay area does have its advantages. There will be no shortage of other families in their immediate neighborhood who have already gone through exactly what they are going through and can offer heartfelt understanding.
An autistic child will typically require intensive speech and language services. With a young child this might begin with sign language. Signing has been scientifically shown to prompt speech skills in many children and has enormous value. It allows a child to communicate with those around them, even before they are ready to talk. Sign language is quite easy to learn and the whole family can participate.
Advocates are especially valuable when a child enters the school system. The special education laws exist to support children and their families, yet there are often struggles and issues to be resolved.
Networking with other local families is also one of the most valuable ways to help a child. There is the potential for new friends and play mates, along with social opportunities. Many parents are quite surprised by how many new friends they are also able to make.
From the very first day of their child's diagnosis the parents will need to understand just how important it is to educate themselves. Their first step should be to find a kind and caring autism advocate Bay area. This is someone who has already walked a mile, or two, in their shoes. The know how it feels to receive the devastating news about a much loved child. They also have invaluable first hand knowledge about how the system works.
As soon as the diagnosis is official the child will qualify for a number of services. This is why having very comprehensive neurological and psychological evaluations is so important. There are many services available including speech and language, fine motor, gross motor, school readiness and social skills. Some children will need all of these services, whilst an other may only need one or two.
Any Bay area parent who has concerns should discuss them with their family doctor. This will usually lead to a referral to a specialist. Complete psychological evaluations will need to be done that will indicate the child's strengths and weaknesses. Simply having a speech delay does not mean that the child is autistic. However, an accurate diagnosis is needed so that the correct interventions can be arranged.
One of the first steps the parents should take is to contact their local parent support group. These groups exist in just about every part of the country, living in a highly populated place such as the Bay area does have its advantages. There will be no shortage of other families in their immediate neighborhood who have already gone through exactly what they are going through and can offer heartfelt understanding.
An autistic child will typically require intensive speech and language services. With a young child this might begin with sign language. Signing has been scientifically shown to prompt speech skills in many children and has enormous value. It allows a child to communicate with those around them, even before they are ready to talk. Sign language is quite easy to learn and the whole family can participate.
Advocates are especially valuable when a child enters the school system. The special education laws exist to support children and their families, yet there are often struggles and issues to be resolved.
Networking with other local families is also one of the most valuable ways to help a child. There is the potential for new friends and play mates, along with social opportunities. Many parents are quite surprised by how many new friends they are also able to make.
About the Author:
You can visit www.darrowautismadvocates.com for more helpful information about Finding A Good Autism Advocate Bay Area.
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