Advice on Autism

1. Advice on Autism How to communicate about Autism

2. Hello! A brief introduction of myself…

3. Development… • Is unpredictable in young children • A child you think will go in one direction may suddenly develop skills and abilities that will change their future

4. Diagnosing Early • Is the best way to get early intervention services (At about 2 years old or earlier if possible) • Early intervention services have been proven to be effective in helping children with autism • Educational services

5. The IEP Process: What can you do? • As a doctor, you can be an integral part of a child to receive early services • Use your knowledge of developmental milestones to have a say for the child

6. Why have a Say? • Sharing your knowledge will validate the fact that the child has autism and needs services • Getting early intervention services will help the child achieve communication skills that parents never thought would come

7. Why have a Say? • The referral process of the IEP relies on documentation from multiple sources, including medical data, testing, and observations • Interventions can be based on this testing

8. The IEP and Childcare • Childcare providers can also be a part of this team • Notice how the child performs functional skills and socialize with other children

9. What are Functional Skills? • These skills are skills critical to the life of the child • They are skills many people take for granted such as toileting and grooming • Some children with autism may have issues with these skills for many different reasons

10. As part of a team • You can make key observations about the child that school professionals do not typically have • You can also keep a consistent routine to help the child when they are not in school

11. What can I do to help? • Develop a picture schedule of activities for children to do • Regularity and consistency is key

12. What can I do to help? • Think about your environment in your facility/home • Something you may glance over or not even notice can be a huge deal for children with autism

13. What if Something Happens? • If a child has a behavior, record what happens • Your notes should follow an ABC formula: • Antecedent • Behavior • Consequence

14. Also… • Your data, testing, and observations can describe the child’s present levels, highlighting the need for early intervention and services • Present levels will determine the goals and work that will need to be done for the child

15. Don’t Forget! • You are part of a team that serves the best interest of the child and family • Listen to all sources of information!

16. The Future of Autism • Today, about 2% of all children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder • However, the DSM V will eliminate the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and collapsing it into the autism diagnosis

17. Think about this…. • How did you tell your last parent that their child had autism? • How did they react? • What did you tell them afterwards (what did you focus on)?

18. Think About this… • What services do you know about in your area? • What makes a service ‘good’ for children with autism? • What type of service would you create for children with autism?

19. As a Physician…. • Always think about these questions • Having answers on the ready and resources to give will always be helpful • Focus on giving parents a resource or place to go to help the child as soon as possible