WHY IS AN OFFICIAL AUTISM DIAGNOSIS IMPORTANT?

 

An official diagnosis will allow you to access services for your child . Programs vary from state to state.

 

 

I am in Louisiana and my state has a program called early steps. This program provides services for families with infants or toddlers who likely have a developmental delay.

 

Developmental delays can affect cognitive abilities, fine and gross motor skills  hearing, vision  communication skills and social-emotional development. 

 

The early intervention can help bridge the developmental gap in some cases. 

 

Early steps services are done in the childs environment. The provider goes to the clients home to work with their child care. Early step services stop when the child turns 3yr old. The child then transitions to the public school system and is in a PPI class and will transitions to kindergarten at the appropriate time.

 

 

The are several programs available  in Louisiana for special needs folks. I would imagine that is the case across the country.  I would recommend checking with your state. 

 

 

Again in my state Louisiana. Once a child has an iep they have access to services through the public school system. It is your right as a parent to request an evaluation if you feel like your child could have a learning disability. If the child meets the state criteria to qualify for special ed the process moves forward. If you have a diagnosis about your child  

from a medical professional you should communicate that your child's school. A medical diagnosis does not guarantee an IEP. An evaluation still must be done by the school to determine eligibility. 

 

 

Speech therapy,  OT Therapy,  ABA therapy,  para professional support and IEP's just about covers it.

 

SPEECH THERAPY-

 

Deals with language and communication.  It is used to help improve verbal and non verbal communication.  It can help autistic people with explaining emotions,  it grows their vocabulary which help them correctly names things .

 

 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY-

 

Works on improving fine and gross motor skills which are needed for daily living . Fine motor skills help with handwriting , and dressing.  

Gross motor skills  helps the body control musles needed to crawl  walk, jump and run .  Gross motor skills are important . They contribute to a healthy, active lifestyle and help with social interaction as well as building self esteem.  OT therapy also with sensory processing. 

 

 

ABA THERAPY-

 

Works to develop  behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful .  ABA also works on developing daily living skills to increase independence.  

 

 

PARAPROFESSIONALS -

 

They provide support in the classroom .

 

 

IEP'S-  Individual educational program. 

 

IEP'S  can provide flexibility in school work  with modified assignments,  iep's are used to set  goal and track  progress .  It is your right as a patent to participate in the iep meeting. An IEP is a legal document and should be followed by your child's educators.   To request and IEP sent a written request to your child's school principal and head of the speacil ed  department at your child's school. The school should respond in a reasonable amount of time .  Different states have different definitions of what a reasonable time of response is.

 

 

 

Child neurologist,  psychiatrist, and  pediatricians  all can diagnosis autism.  Medical professionals observe behaviors,listen to parents concerns and can use test for cognitive abilities. 

 

The DSM manual is used to diagnose AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.  

DSM 5  gives guidance on the levels of autism.  

ASD Severity levels  are determined by how much support the autistic person needs . 

 

Level 1 - requires support 

 

Level 2 - requires substantial support 

 

Level 3 - requires  very substantial 

support

 

Level 1 is considered to be the mildest form of ASD. The person may have trouble with social interaction and picking up social cues. Typically the person can live independently, seek education and find employment.  They may still need low levels of support. 

 

 

Level 2  is considered the middle of the ASD spectrum. People with a level 2   diagnosis  often have difficulty with social interaction.  They sometimes display restrictive repetitive behaviors ,and have  sensory processing issues. These things sometimes interfere with their daily living . Speech therapy, occupational therapy,  and ABA therapy would all be beneficial. 

 

 

Level 3 is considered the low functioning autism . A person with this diagnosis will need significant amounts of support. In addition to communication challenges they may have severe sensory overloads and pain which can lead to self injury.  ABA therapy  may work  best with this diagnosis.  Early intervention is so important and will make a difference in this childs quality of life. 

 

 

My daughter has a level 2 diagnosis.  She is academically blessed. Her biggest issue revolves around sensory processing. She is hypersensitive.  She does have some communication issues and has some motor skills issues. She does require support but she needs alot less support now. She has matured and she has been in therapy since early steps. She has accomplished so much. From being on the swimteam, learning how to play the drums and some piano, being on the honor roll on a regular basis since elementary school, and she was just awarded a small scholarship for her writing. She is amazing!! So hang in there. It's not an easy road but we are our children best advocate.  

 

I want to remind you guys that I am just a mom who has done alot of research and have asked tons of questions over the years, so I hope some of this can help you in your child's journey.