7 Day Series, Day 4: Finding Help and Support for the ASD Family

By Sharon Rose

      Parenting has never been easy, and raising a child with special needs is even more challenging. Seeking help and support can make all the difference in how well you can take care of your ASD child, your family, and also, importantly, yourself. There are many places that parents of children with ASD can turn to for advice, advocacy, and support:

1. ADS support groups – Joining an ASD support group is a great way to meet other families who are dealing with the same challenges you are. Parents can share information, get advice, and lean on each other for emotional support.

2. Respite care – Parents need a break sometimes. For parents coping with the added stress of raising a child with ASD, this is especially true. Respite care allows another caregiver to step in, temporarily, to give you a break for a few hours, days, or even weeks. To find respite care options in your area, see resources below.

3. Individual, marital, or family counseling - If you are dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression, you may want to see a therapist of your own. Therapy is a safe place where you can talk honestly about everything you’re feeling. It can be a safe haven to release your feelings. Marriage and family therapy can also help you work out problems that, as parents to an ASD child, become challenges in your spousal relationship and/or with other family members.  Free U.S. Government Services for ASD Children - Under the U.S. federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities, including those with ASD, are eligible for a range of free or low-cost services. Under this provision, children in need and their families may receive medical evaluations, psychological services, speech therapy, physical therapy, parent counseling and training, assisted technology devices, and other specialized services.

4. Children under the age of 10 do not need an autism diagnosis to receive free services under IDEA. If they are experiencing a developmental delay (including delays in communication or social development), they are automatically eligible for early intervention and special education services.

5. Early intervention services, from birth to two years of age, are administered through the Early Intervention Program for free. If the assessment shows a developmental problem, you will work with early intervention treatment providers to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). An IFSP describes your child’s needs and the specific services he or she will receive, such as behavior, speech, physical, and play therapies. To locate local early intervention services for your child, ask your pediatrician for a referral and see our resources below.

6. Special education services are available for children three years of age and older, through school-based, free programs. The school will evaluate your child and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be created.  An IEP outlines educational goals for your child for the school year. It also describes special services or supports the school will provide for your child in order to meet these goals. The ultimate goal is to place children in the least restrictive environment possible, where they are still able to learn.

      Parents, don't try to do it alone. The help and support is available! 

Join us tomorrow, as we continue our ASD series for Day 5: What Are Your Parental and ASD Child's Legal Rights?

Resources:
Autism Speaks USA: https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/family-support-tool-kits

Parent Guide to IDEA, USA: 

https://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IDEA-Parent-Guide1.pdf

The U.K. National Autistic Society Services: 

http://www.autism.org.uk/services/work.aspx

Autism Speaks Canada:

https://www.autismspeaks.ca/science-services-resources/family-services/

Copyright, 7 Day Series, Day 4: Finding Help and Support for the ASD Family, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 12, 2018.  All rights reserved.

7 Day Series, Day 3: Choosing a Good Treatment Plan

By Sharon Rose

      Choosing a good treatment plan for your ASD child should involve, you, the parents, mental health and educational professionals working together to create a plan that fits your child. Each child on the autism spectrum is unique, with different strengths and different weaknesses. You know your child and trained professionals can partner with you to come up with the best fit for your child to reach their potential.  When putting together a treatment plan, ask yourself these questions to guide you:

1. What are my child's strengths?
2. What are my child's weaknesses?
3. What behaviors are causing the most problems?
4. How does my child learn best?
5. What does my child enjoy?

Expectations of a Good Treatment Plan:

1. Build on your child's interests.
2. Offer a preditable schedule.
3. Teach tasks as a series of simple steps.
4. Actively engage your child's attention in highly structured activities.
5. Provide regular reinforcement of behavior.
6. As the parents, stay involved.
7. Choose skills to work on, but do not put a time limit on how long your child will work on a
skill.  No pressure.

     The goal of a treatment plan for your ASD child should be to treat your child's unique set of symptoms and needs. Most common autism spectrum treatments include behavior therapy, speech-language therapy, play-based therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional therapy. Keeping a regular routine and being consistent is important. You should also think about what skills and behaviors are most needed and treat those first. You can't work on everything all at once.  Stay encouraged!  With a good plan, and everyone (parents and professionals) working together, your child has a good chance of meeting the challenges of his own unique ASD.  Step by step.

Our series continues tomorrow with more valuable information, Day 4: Finding Help and Support.


*Resource for More Information: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml





Copyright, 7 Day Series, Day 3: Choosing a Good Treatment Plan, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 11, 2018.  All rights reserved.  

7 Day Series, Day 2: Providing Structure and Safety for Children with ASD.

By Sharon Rose

      Parents of an autistic child should learn all they can about autism and get involved in their ASD child's treatment and education. Your active support will make a difference. Providing structure and safety for your child will make daily home life easier for your ASD child, for you, and for the family.  Likely, there are also activities you and your ASD child can enjoy together away from home.  Just have a sound safety plan in place. 

Providing Structure and Safety:

1. Be consistent - ASD children find it difficult to transfer how to use what they learned in one environment to another environment. (Example - from the therapist's office, to school, to home.)  So, if your child uses sign language to communicate at the therapist's office, encourage him to use it in all of the settings in their daily life. This will reinforce learning the use of sign language as a way for your child to communicate.

2. Stick to a schedule - Create a schedule with regular times for getting up, meals, school, therapy, and bedtime. It is very important to avoid disrupting your ASD child's routine.  If a change in the schedule cannot be avoided, prepare your child in advance.

3. Reward good behavior - It's important to reward good behavior because you want to see it repeated. Praise your child when they act appropriately. Even, go so far as to watch for them carrying out good behavior, or a new skill, and reward them with a sticker or a toy.  Be careful of using hugs as a reward because ASD children are often sensitive to touch. Know your child.

4. Create a home safety zone - Create a private area at home where your child can relax, feel safe and secure, and have quiet time. Organize and set boundaries your child can understand. Use visual cues such as: colored tape, pictures, or gates/fences. Decorate a special area with floor pillows in a corner of a room. Safety proof your home as you would for a baby/toddler, removing or placing in a high, locked cabinet: chemicals, medicines, sharp tools, etc. This is especially important if your child tends to have tantrums and/or violent behaviors.

*Join us tomorrow as our series continues with Day 3: Choosing a Good Treatment Plan.





Copyright, 7 Day Series, Day 2: Providing Structure and Safety for Children with ASD, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 10, 2018.  All rights reserved.

7 Day Series, Day 1: A Parent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder

By Sharon Rose

       April is National Autism Awareness Month and we want to promote autism awareness and shine a light on the challenges children with autism, and their parents, cope with daily.  In a new analysis by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) an estimated 2.41 percent of children in the United States have autism spectrum disorder.  ASD affects about 1 in 41 children.  Although that is a large increase since the 1970s and 1980s, a new study indicates that the rate of new cases of autism has leveled off in recent years.  To bring more awareness we will start DAY# 1 in our series with: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and What are the Symptoms?

      Autism is a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively, called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  Spectrum refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment or disability, that children with ASD can have. Autistic children are not all the same.  Some children are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. 

Disorders Within the Spectrum are:

1. Autistic disorder (classic autism)
2. Asperger’s disorder (Asperger syndrome)
3. Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Rett’s disorder (Rett syndrome)
4. Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).

Symptoms Within the Spectrum - Symptoms of ASD vary from one child to the next, but generally fall in three areas:

1. Social impairment.
2. Communication difficulties.
3. Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors.

      Children with ASD don't follow typical patterns children follow when developing social and communication skills. The parents are usually the first ones to recognize unusual behaviors in their child.  Some babies with ASD may seem different early in their development, even before their first birthday. They may become overly focused on certain objects, rarely make eye contact, and fail to engage in typical back-and-forth play and babbling with their parents. Speech and language delays can be an early indicator. Other children may develop normally until their second or third year, but then become withdrawn, silent, or indifferent to social signals. Loss or reversal of normal development that has already been gained is called regression and occurs in some children. If you have any concerns, talk to your pediatrician. Early intervention is very important. 


Our series continues tomorrow on Day 2: Providing Structure and Safety for Children with ASD.






Copyright, 7 Day Series, Day 1: A Parent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 9, 2018.  All rights reserved.  

How Parents Can Approach Talking About African American History with Young African American Children

By Sharon Rose

      As an African American parent, in raising my three children, I had to ask myself this question.  How can parents approach talking with young African American children about African American History?  Many accounts of the human experiences in the rich history of African Americans in America, the pioneers, leaders, heroes, as well as, everyday people, are painful, tragic, inhumane. Yet there are other accounts that are uplifting, courageous, and inspirational, cloaked in poignant tales of the Middle Passage, slavery, The Underground Railroad, The Civil War, The Emancipation Proclamation, the Reconstruction Era, The Great Migration, and the Civil Rights Era of the '60's.  Have an age appropriate, honest talk, but find those stories during those historical times that celebrate strengths even during trying times.  Many parents have to get past their own fear of hurting their children to have an honest talk about African American history that is fraught with abuses, struggle, tragedy, adversity, and darkness.  But, as parents, it is our role to bring this rich history into the light, and help our children to develop the deserved self-pride in their ancestral history.  I want to share with you some suggestions that have worked well in our family.  In talking to your children about this rich history, it is important to open the conversation, especially, with our young children, with a phrase like, "I want to tell you a story about courage and a strong, resilient people."  Courage, strength to endure, pride, and faith in God is a good way to frame the conversation.  

      Become comfortable with the many questions that your children will, likely, ask throughout their childhood.  When you have your first talk with young children, start with more current times and work backwards.  Point out that African American historical figures set goals for themselves, had dreams, and worked hard to achieve them.  These are characteristics your child can relate to and will have meaning in their lives.  Ask them about the goals and dreams they have.  Help them to compare their goals and dreams to a favorite African American hero they have.  For our young children who are 3, 4, 5 years-old, start by introducing them to modern day leaders and heroes like the following: President Barack Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Bridges, and Mae Jemison.  Include leaders and heroes from a longer time past, like: Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Bessie Coleman, and Dr. Charles Drew, to name a few.  You can continue to add to these lists.  Many of these historical figures will be introduced to them at school from grades pre-school and up, often during Black History Month.  During your talks, many parents are surprised to find out that their children see them, their parents, as their heroes.  

      Other conversations can revolve around comparisons of African American history with the history of other groups, throughout world history, that have experienced inhumane or unequal treatment due, for example, to their ethnicity or religion.  Older children, beginning at 9 years old, can be introduced to the book, The Diary of Anne Frank, as an example. Look for related poetry to introduce into the conversation.  Encourage your child to write a related poem of their own. This can be a way of allowing them to express feelings they are having about all they are learning.  It is important to highlight and emphasize the triumph over tragedy that African Americans have had throughout the history of America. As parents, we should take time to teach the rich African American history in our own homes so our children receive it in a way to raise their self-esteem and not damage it.  African American parents do have to be concerned that, if not handled in a sensitive way and with guidance, learning of their ancestors plight can be hurtful and raise many questions in a child's mind.  Why? Why? Why?  We have to be prepared to answer these questions so, if not already, we must educate ourselves, and will likely learn even more as we educate and talk with our children.  

      To further enhance your talks, introduce age appropriate books, games, apps, websites on African American History.  Seek out grandparents, family or friends to allow your children to experience related storytelling from someone who has lived through historical times like the Civil Rights Era of the '50's and '60's.  Some of your most important talks can include others who have their own memories of history to share.  Parents will find that much of the history we introduce to our children at home, in these ways, may not be found in their school experiences.  I always took great pride in sharing the amazing stories with my children, found in African American History.  I believe you will too!

Copyright, How Parents Can Talk About African American History With Young African American Children, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, March 22, 2018.  All rights reserved.

How to Talk to Your Child About Social Bullying

By Sharon Rose

      Children need to know the facts about social bullying and how it can harm them and others. Many children endure social bullying because they want to fit in and not be rejected by a certain group. Some find it hard to make friends because of social bullying. So, start the conversation by asking about their friends, who they are and what they like to do together. 

 
      Let your child know that social bullying exist and it involves gossiping and spreading malicious rumors. Let them know that it includes negative body language, causing embarrassment, deliberately destroying and/or manipulating a relationship, whispering behind one’s back (with the intention of making them aware of this). Also, included are offensive jokes directed at another, passing offensive notes around about another, excluding someone from a group, offensive graffiti (with the use of profanity or inappropriate language), hate petitions (written promises to hate another). It's important that you have them understand that these 'mean' actions are a kind of bullying. 

      Social bullying can be isolating and devastating to Tweens and teens who want to fit in and be liked by their peers. The more you know about the multi-faceted, social bullying and accept that even age-old behaviors like gossiping, spreading rumors, and embarrassing others, is bullying, the more clear you will be in your talk. Let your child know that if he is experiencing anything like this at school, tell an adult, and tell you.  Let them know that the first step to finding a solution to this is to reach out for help. 

Copyright, How to Talk to Your Child About Social Bullying, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, March 21, 2018.  All rights reserved.