| Step #1:
Obtain a Formal Diagnosis |
|
This cannot be stressed enough. Other from the obvious (getting
a straight answer from a trained professional), a written diagnosis can prove
to be one of your most valuable tools. Have your child evaluated by a specialist,
trained in the field of autism.
DO NOT RELY ON YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO EVALUATE YOUR CHILD'S CONDITION
AND SPECIAL NEEDS. Many school districts will assure you that standard testing
accurately evaluates or diagnoses the presence of autism. Such tests are often
given by the school physiologists (at best) and should NOT be used to draw any
solid conclusions. Most school district employees, regardless of their capacity,
are not qualified to diagnose autism. Test results are frequently found to be
inaccurate and, therefore, inconclusive.
A formal diagnosis (including prescribed treatment and therapy recommendations)
also serves as indisputable justification for the special education and services
that would otherwise not be offered by your school district. Funding for services
such as home-based behavior therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
can be difficult to negotiate without formal justification.
Unfortunately, professional testing and evaluation can be costly and is usually
considered an out-of-pocket expense. Parents are encouraged, however, to check
with their insurance provider; some companies may be willing to pay for some
or all of the expense if prescribed by your child's Pediatrician. In either
case, this course of action will prove to be one of your greatest investments.
There are a number of ways to locate a specialist in your area. Start with your
child's Pediatrician. Don't stop there, though; contact as many of the following
resources as possible: [fix bullet list alignment]
DAN!
(Defeat Autism Now!)
Physician List (Scroll
down to view list)
National
Center on Birth Defects
and Developmental Disabilities
Family Physicians
Local Neurologists
Departments of Psychology
or Neurology at nearby
Universities
Other parents of autistic
children.
Talk to the chosen specialist (before) the evaluation. Let
them know you're expecting the following:
1. Written evaluation and diagnosis for
autism
2. Written and specific recommendations for a minimum of
the following treatments:
- Structured home-based program in behavior therapy
(ABA, RDI, etc.)
- Spaech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy
NOTE: Each therapy listed should include specific
amounts of time or frequency that the treatment should be performed. Recommendations
on time and frequency will vary based on age and level of disorder.
Example:
- Structured program in ABA (Applied
Behavior Analysis): 15 hrs/wk
- Speech/language therapy: 2.0 hrs/wk
- Occupational therapy: 2.0 hrs/wk
