Read This RIGHT NOW If You Think Your Child is Autistic Nathania, July 30, 2023August 26, 2023 So you’ve read Early Warning Signs That Your Child May be Autistic and now you’re convinced. Wondering if your child is displaying signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be both overwhelming and concerning. But, actively taking the steps towards early intervention and getting your child the support they need is going to drastically help their well-being and development. Keep reading for clear details on what to do if you suspect your child is autistic, what worked for me, and why you still may need to supplement additional support.Observe and Document BehaviorThe first step in getting support for your child is being able to prove that they need it. Watch your child closely and note and behavioral concerns, accessive stimming, developmental delays, etc. Take videos whenever you’re able to. Take note of dates, potential triggers, and anything else that might be useful information for accessing and diagnosing them. Consult with your child’s pediatricianAfter you have documented your concerns and have tangible data to present, bring up your concerns with your child’s pediatrician. The best time to do this is before your child’s 2nd birthday, because if they are beyond 2 and a half years old, your little one will be to old to qualify for Early Intervention. Talk things over with your child’s doctor and let them note your concerns in their medical charts. This can be helpful later on if you have any issues with receiving services.Photo by Los Muertos Crew – pexels.comContact Early InterventionIf your child is older than 2.5 years old, skip to the next step. Don’t be overwhelmed. Take a deep breath. Yes, they missed out on early intervention services that could have helped, but please do not beat yourself up about it. Things get missed. Things get delayed. Things come up. The best thing you can do now is start getting them whatever help they qualify for. If your child is younger than 2.5 years old, saddle up. I started the EI process with my son in January of 2023, immediately after my sons 2nd birthday. It took about 2 months to go through all of the evaluations. He received his autism diagnosis by March. By April he was receiving 20 hours a week of ABA therapy. He was also eligible for physical, speech, and occupational therapy but never received any of them through EI. The issue with Early Intervention right now is the lack of providers in NYC. Join Support GroupsAccording to the CDC, autism is present in every 1 out of 36 children in the United States. That is a huge percentage of American children. There are so many online and local communities that you can join and learn from. Try facebook groups, local parenting clubs, blogs like this one, and everything else you can find. You should think of these groups as massive resources. Ask questions, get feedback, learn how to advocate for your child in the most effective manner. Trust me, in some cases, advocating to get your child’s needs met are a full-time responsibility so conversing with people who have gone through it can be really helpful. If you live in Kentucky, my experiences as a New Yorker may not even be relevant to you or your child’s process, so take in all the knowledge and tips you can from people living in the same state as you. Educate yourself on Autism and What May Come With ItMy sons therapist recommended Uniquely Human and words cannot explain how helpful of a read it was. I tell anyone who will listen that this book is the best starting place if you suspect your child may be autistic. There are so many books, blogs, and other media that can help you educate yourself. Not only should you be learning about autism as a whole, but also study your child and learn about their characteristics, strengths, and challenges so you can properly advocate for them. For example, my son gets extremely overwhelmed in large crowds of people. I know that being able to squeeze a plushie will help him to self regulate. I spoke with the administrative staff at his school to ensure he was allowed to bring a plushie everyday as an accomodation. He keeps it in his cubby and grabs it as needed. I read this book to help me give speech therapy to my son and one of my autistic preschoolers. SUCH A HELP. If you’re little one is speech delayed, I highly recommend it! It offers over 100 games and acitivities to enjoy with nonverbal toddlers to encourage their language development. Toe walking is also something that many autistic children do. My coparent and I struggled for months trying to figure out the right shoes for him because he would either scream when we tried to put them on his feet, or walk out of them before we even left home. It got to the point where everyone would look at us like the worst parents on the planet, because we would just double up his socks and let him go out into the world like that. We couldn’t find any other solution. Until one of my preschoolers came into school with these. I asked the mom for the link and bought a pair the same day.Photo taken by Nathania RayeProvide a Supportive and Nourishing EnvironmentPart of parenting is tailoring your life to fit the needs of your children. This is no different, whether they are neurotypical or neurodivergent. Children thrive with routines, stability, and healthy secure attachments with the adults in their lives. Facilitate activities and routines to support your child’s needs, nourish their strengths, and build onto their sensitivities. Encourage open communication and foster a safe space where your child feels comfortable expressing themselves.A big thing for me and my son is sticking to a routine. He knows exactly what to expect everyday when we get home from school. This helps me calm my anxiety as much as it helps him so it works incredibly for keeping us both feeling safe in our space. One thing we have implemented recently is a visual schedule. I had my checklist that I always use for myself, but the visual schedule has been great for helping my toddler understand sequence. Advocate for Your ChildAs the primary caregiver of a young neurodivergent child, YOU are their advocate. If they come across any challenges or obstacles in accessing their services or educational support, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK UP. The point isn’t to make friends. The point is to provide your little one with the best possible chance at successful independent living in their adulthood. Work with your child’s healthcare providers, teachers, administrators, and other specialists to create and maintain a plan for their own unique needs. There are 4/12 children in my sons preschool class that are diagnosed with autism. Yet, neither of the classroom teachers have any training on working with neurodivergent children. I have repeatedly asked the director to train their teachers to accomodate ALL of their students or hire someone who can. From there, she tried to decide that the school wasn’t the best fit for my child. So, I banded with the other mothers and we continued to push back. Keep in mind, this director is also my boss since I am a teacher at the school. Sometimes, advocating for your little one can push you out of your comfort zone. It can be extremely uncomfortable. But if you don’t do it, who will?Photo by Ivan Samkov – pexels.comCelebrate ProgressEvery small achievement is a step in the right direction. Celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how minor it may seem. Embrace the journey with patience, love, and optimism.All in AllSuspecting that your child might be autistic can be a challenging and emotional experience. But taking proactive steps to seek professional guidance, access early intervention services, and create a supportive environment will greatly benefit your child’s development and overall well-being. Remember that you are not alone on this journey. With the right resources, support, and dedication, you can help your child reach their full potential and lead a fulfilling life. Motherhood