People often ask me what is the number one determining
factor in whether or not their child with autism will get better. I always say:
it all depends on the parents. While having therapy is great. The truth of the
matter is that parental influence combined with therapy is the most effective
treatment.
Many parents see therapy time as a time where they can leave
and take a few hours to relax, sleep, shop, smoke, cry or whatever. While all
these things may be important the child’s best interest comes first. The sad
fact is that time is of the essence. And while it is good to get your “me” time
in, for the first few years, therapy should come first.
Studies have shown that with proper therapy before age 3,
many children with autism can lead normal and healthy lives indistinguishable
from their peers.
A few years ago I’d gotten two 2-year-old boys, lets just
call them, Timmy and Jerry. Jerry’s scores on his initial assessment was very
high, his family was financially well off and parents were still married.
Timmy’s parents were also still married but his scores were very low on the
initial assessment and his family did not have much money. They both started
therapy at the same time, and Timmy soared while Jerry struggled to master even
the basic skills.
The difference? Parental involvement. Timmy’s parents were
always present asking questions and implementing strategies outside of the
therapy session and reading up all they could. However Jerry’s parents would
drop him off and take off to go shopping.
I’ve seen similar cases over and over. Combined with therapy
a child needs a parent putting him first, asking questions advocating form him,
and implementing strategies outside of therapy.
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