Autism

Why is it important to diagnose autism early?

Autism is a spectrum disorder. Autism affects each individual differently and at varying degrees. This is why early diagnosis of autism is so crucial. Autism research and autism education indicate that early diagnosis of autism is associated with dramatically better outcomes for people with autism.

The earlier a child is diagnosed with autism, by learning the signs of autism, the earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches.

What do I do when I have a child with autism?

When you have a child with a disability such as autism, it may seem that you've been dropped in the middle of a whirlwind of information and buzzwords. You'll hear things such as inclusion, behavior modification, functional analysis, IDEA, IEP, due process, evaluation and sensory integration. There are lengthy federal regulations that need to be read and understood, and disability magazines filled with one view or another about controversial issues. Some of the decisions you'll need to make may come from areas where you don't feel adequately informed. Of these important decisions, many will be in the area of education. This is where autism education comes into play.

Autism education

Educating children with autism is a challenge for both parents and teachers. These children are individuals first and foremost with unique strengths and weaknesses. Some may be of average to above average intelligence, while others may be below average. Academic goals need to be tailored to that individual's intellectual ability and functioning level.