The number of autistic people being diagnosed as adults is increasing. However, being undiagnosed throughout childhood can mean that people’s needs go unmet, and this can lead them to experience trauma at an early age, as well as struggles with their development. To ensure that children are well-supported as they grow, early diagnosis is essential. As such, here is your guide to early intervention for autism.
Diagnosis
If you believe that your child might be autistic, it is essential that you book an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. They will be able to refer your child for an autism assessment with a psychologist who has been trained to deliver this type of assessment. However, you should realize that you might have to wait a few months for this assessment, and some autistic children have to wait over a year before they can get a diagnosis. This means the sooner you speak to a healthcare professional on your child’s behalf, the better. Your child’s autism diagnosis can be daunting for you as a parent though, and, if that is the case, you should do a lot of online research and get support to process your own emotions and the worry that being the parent of an autistic child can create for you.
Early Intervention
Once your child has been diagnosed, you might be able to look into early intervention strategies for them that can help with their development and that are targeted toward the areas that they struggle with. For instance, you might be able to book them in with a speech and language therapist or encourage them to learn sign language to enable them to better communicate with you. You might also consider occupational therapy or social stories that can help your child combat new situations.
At School
Not only this but once they have been diagnosed, you will be able to tell the school or their nursery about the diagnosis. By making their teachers aware of their diagnosis, you might find that your child receives extra support and that their needs are better met. You might also find that they are not punished for autistic behaviors and that their teachers can implement strategies or refer them to schemes that help them with their future development. You might also be able to find support groups that will allow them to interact with other autistic children who can often understand them better than neurotypical children.
As an Adult
If you did not get diagnosed as a child, you may find that life has been overwhelming for you for a long time. After reading about autism or noticing some of the signs in yourself, you might have sought a diagnosis. If you have been recently diagnosed with autism and you want to gain more support as an adult, or you are looking for resources that can help you now that you are a grown-up, you should consider looking for autism apps for adults. These can make the world a less stressful place for you by giving you therapy support and helping you to understand your autism better. They can also allow you to set goals and manage your behaviors.
Early intervention for autism is important. This can help your child to enjoy a positive youth where they will get help to express and manage their needs and develop at a pace that is right for them. This will ensure that they can grow into healthy and balanced adults who will continue to receive the support they need throughout their lifetimes.