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Being parents of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

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Being parents of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

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Hi my name is Naomi Pena. My husband and I have a 4 year old son, Andrew, who was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Being a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder has taught me how to be more patient and tolerant as a human being and mother. As a family my husband and I love our life and child. He has brought so much joy into our lives. We go to church, the park, out to eat, to the library, and on play dates with other parents from our support group. Though, our son is the love of our life, we still have challenging moments, in which we need guidance and support. In the beginning we felt alone. We had no idea what we were doing as parents. We really tried the best we could do with what we knew, which was not much. We just knew that when we found out the news about Andrew's diagnosis that we wanted to start early intervention services as soon as possible to maximize our child's quality of life. A support group has been critical to our family's success story. My husband and I do not feel alone anymore. Through our shared experiences, we continue to educate ourselves, find strength, courage, hope, and faith. We learn what works for other families, and are open to trying new things for the benefit of our child. This is why I wanted to share our family's story, so that other parents, who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder have important resources: some background information on Autism Spectrum Disorder, characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder, resources via website to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, specific strategies for educators, or teachers to accommodate special needs students, along with other resources that helped our family become a success story. Please continue to read to find out more about Andrew, our lovely son, Facts about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and resources to help your child obtain early intervention services. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial in the growth and development of a child with a developmental delay, or disability.

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Andrew is the same as his typically developing peers in many ways. 

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Andrew is the same as his typically developing peers in many ways. 

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My child is the same as typically developing peers in many ways. Similar to other children, Andrew has adaptive/self help skills. He is able to feed himself and dress independently. His daily living skills are age appropriate. He enjoys playing with Legos and racecars. Most of the time he enjoys playing independently. He also enjoys dancing to music. Also, in terms of cognitive capabilities, he can identify numbers 1-10, colors and shapes. Moreover, his physical development, gross and fine motor skills, are age appropriate. He has a good pencil grasp and writes with right hand. His hearing and sight are also good.

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Andrew is also different then his typically developing peers in many ways: 

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Andrew is also different then his typically developing peers in many ways: 

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He is also different from typically developing peers in many ways. He has rigid and repetitive behaviors, and can’t tolerate change in routine. His speech is very monotone. He can play with Legos and cars for hours at a time. At home and school, he has a very difficult time transitioning from one activity to another. He also has challenges interacting with his peers, and exhibits behavioral problems. He can be aggressive at times. Another difference, is that he is very sensitive to noise, and light. He needs ample warning, or priming to let him know when an activity is coming to an end. Also, he has a hard time with attention and focus, so he needs behavioral interventions such as first/then language, or if/then language.  Or other behavior interventions, which include, visual cues, clear and concise directions, prompting, etc.

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Background information on Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Background information on Autism Spectrum Disorder

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In the past 40 years Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased significantly. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (March, 2018), Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by people having problems with communication and interactions with other people, as well as restricted interests and behaviors, which adversely affect the person’s ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life. About 1 in 59 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Interesting enough, when it comes to gender, Autism Spectrum Disorder is more prevalent in boys than girls. According to CDC (2014), ASD is 4 times more common in boys than girls. Moreover, all children, no matter racial and ethnic backgrounds receive autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.  Furthermore, autism spectrum disorder occurs in all socioeconomic groups.

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Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

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Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

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Behavioral: inappropriate social interaction, poor eye contact, compulsive behavior, impulsivity, repetitive movements, self-harm, or persistent repetition of words or actions

Developmental: learning disability or speech delay in a child

Cognitive: intense interest in a limited number of things or problem paying attention

Psychological: unaware of others' emotions or depression

Also common: anxiety, change in voice, sensitivity to sound, or tic

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Educational Resources: Below are websites that offer more facts about Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Educational Resources: Below are websites that offer more facts about Autism Spectrum Disorder

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1). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Fact-Sheet

2.) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml

3). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

4). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html

5.) https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/autism/index.html

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Specific strategies for teachers used to accommodate children with special needs in the classroom. 

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Specific strategies for teachers used to accommodate children with special needs in the classroom. 

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1.     Educate yourself, first. (Immerse yourself in Autism Spectrum Disorder literature)

2.     Reach out to the parents (communication is crucial to the growth and development of child)

3.     Prepare classroom (make modifications, or arrangements in the classroom-maybe have child sit in the front next to teacher, or provide child their own workspace with little to no distractions)

4.     Educate peers and promote social goals (This is important, because we want all children to feel a sense of belonging. We want to create an environment that promotes multiculturalism, or diversity, a space were diverse learners is celebrated.)

5.     Collaborate on the implementation of an Education plan (Be sure to study the child’s IEP, as it gives details about the child’s goals, and/or behaviors- the IEP is the blueprint that lays out the child’s “Individual Educational Plan,” so the educator knows how to differentiate instruction, make accommodations, or modifications, and apply behavioral interventions to maximize the child’s outcomes.

6.     Manage behavioral challenges (Educators can turn to the Behavioral Interventional Plan where many strategies are included: Use first/then language, Priming, Visual supports, behavior chart, give clear concise instructions, or directions, or use a timer)

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Specific websites, which provide strategies to accommodate children with special needs in the classroom, especially educators, or teachers: 

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Specific websites, which provide strategies to accommodate children with special needs in the classroom, especially educators, or teachers: 

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a)    https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/autism-safety-project/first-responders/teachers-administrators

This website provides educators or administrators with the tools necessary to understand autism spectrum disorder and ways to respond to a child on the spectrum. When educators are informed, they are more qualified to help a child maximize their growth and development in all developmental domains. In sum, this website equips educators, or administrators with a 6 steps that are useful when accommodating a child with special needs, particularly a child on the spectrum.

b)    http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/8761-22-tips-for-teaching-students-with-autism-spectrum-disorders

This website provides an article titled “22 Tips for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” which provides tips for educators when working with students on the spectrum. Some of them include using a task analysis approach, which is a very specific, or sequential order in delivering the tasks at hand, always keeping language simple and concrete-clear and concise, model the expected behavior, give fewer choices, or to avoid using sarcasm. While these are only a few of the 22 tips provided, they article elaborates on all 22 tips that can be useful in helping a child with autism succeed in the classroom.

c) https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/teaching-students-autism-spectrum-disorder/

This website is another resource that offers educators a guide to teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically children in Pre-K-8th grade. Some of the recommendations include using visual supports (example, if/then cards), structure your day (keep a routine), and tell a social story (create a story targeting a particular situation to teach a child how to deal with it when faced with that particular situation; example could be, “You know last week Jesse asked to use a computer that someone else was using by saying, “May I please use computer when you are done?” This teaches the child how to engage in appropriate social interactions and decrease a negative behavior like physically moving another child out of the way without asking to use the computer). These are just some of the 10 strategies offered on the website. The website is a great resource for educators because it offers strategies on how to teach students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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Professionals and Agencies our family has used: 

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Professionals and Agencies our family has used: 

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Some professionals or agencies that I deal with include Westside Regional Center and STARofCA. Some of the services available to my child and me include support groups and training opportunities, social skills, behavior intervention, and work with the WRC Educational Support Team. My husband and I also go to the conferences to continue to educate ourselves about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how we can better assist our child in his life. STARofCA provides our behavior intervention support services. He also has a speech therapist and RSP services provided through the special education department in his school district. I found out about these services through a friend of mine, whose niece also has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Special Education Department in our school district has also played a crucial role in offering support and services to my son. In terms of financial burdens, my husband and I are fine-we have insurance and both work. For families who are struggling, there is support and help through the WESTSIDE Regional center.

https://westsiderc.org
http://www.starofca.com

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1)    http://www.southbaychildadvocates.com/about-advocates-for-special-education.html

This would be a great resource for families because the organization offers advocates to support families who have children in special education. They help parents navigate the world of Special Education to obtain an appropriate program and services for the child. Some of the services include helping families pursue services (In-home ABA, One-on-One, Intensive academic support, Physical therapy, Speech and Language, among other important services. They also attend the IEP or IFSP meetings and educate parents about the special education process. This is a great resource.

2)    Book: Not What I expected: Help and Hope For Parents of Atypical Children By Rita Eichenstein Ph.D.

This is a book I read, and it  is appropriate for families as it discusses the reality of what families go through when they have a child with special needs. It provides information that guides and supports the family on their journey. Most of all, used as a source of hope that families can draw on when they feel like they are all alone. I loved this book. It really helped my husband and I on our journey of parenting a child with special needs.

3)    http://www.laparent.com/events/categories/special-needs-support-group/

This website is a great resource because it provides different support groups for families caring for a child with special needs. My husband and I believe strongly in support groups. They have been crucial to our family's strength, hope, and faith.

4)    http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/programs-and-services/in-home-supportive-services/

This resource allows families of people/children with disabilities to be compensated for providing care. Typically a family member, whomever is providing the care, will get a certain amount of hours based on the child/persons disability. As per website “The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.”

5)    https://www.211la.org/early-childhood/developmental-delay

211la.org provides a whole bunch of different resources for families caring for a child with developmental delays. They have an events calendar posted with different events going on in different areas- really supplies family with resources in the community usually free events. My husband and I have gone to many events, really fun.