There are many school resources for parents who suspect their child may have autism. Most of these resources and services fall into five broad categories.
Diagnostic Resources
Parents will probably look into a diagnosis of autism or developmental delays.
There are many diagnostic resources available. A psychologist or a neuropsychologist could perform a psychological assessment, and a physician could make a medical diagnosis of autism. In addition, school districts assess young children for delays and autism on a multi-team basis.
Parents can receive lots of information and feedback about their child’s development through a comprehensive assessment.
Parent Resources
In many communities, parents can find parenting resources and autism services.
Parents can find general information about autism from most autism organizations, along with advice on how to help a child with autism succeed at school and in community life. The community can provide support groups for parents and provide networks of help and encouragement.
Many families benefit from respite care, which provides parents with a short break from taking care of family members and allows them to balance work and family.
Advocacy Resources
Some parents and not others utilize advocacy resources for autism do not. During eligibility or individualized education program (IEP) meetings, a parent may consult with a special education advocate.
An advocate may answer legal questions or state laws that impact a child’s education. Advocates may also offer broader perspectives on autism. The skills of self-advocacy may be taught to young students with autism.
Additionally, advocacy can refer to fundraising, speaking at political rallies, or advocating for changes in the education system or political system to inform the public about the needs of individuals with autism.
Therapeutic Resources
Families dealing with autism have access to a variety of therapeutic resources. Insurance and government programs cover some of these therapeutic approaches while families pay for other resources.
The therapeutic resources available are psychiatric medications, behavioral therapy, social skill training, and social skills training.
It is essential to recognize that some therapies have a more significant amount of research supporting the approaches. In contrast, others have very little research and cannot show their effectiveness through analysis.
Education Resources
Families can benefit from education resources that begin young and continue into adulthood. The early intervention starts at birth in many communities and goes up until three years of age. When a child reaches preschool age, they can transition to the public school system.
You can plan individual education programs during high school and early adult years. Some empowering parents have options for homeschooling or attending a specialized private school with a personalized curriculum.
Individuals with autism can be provided with educational resources tailored to their specific needs.
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