My Child Was Just Identified with an Autism Spectrum

Disorder: Now What Do I Do?

Ten Tips for Families

1. Give yourself time to grieve

 

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2. Dream new dreams for your child

Celebrate the successes!

Positive Profile

• Strengths

• Interests

• Needs

Positive Profile

• Please download the handouts from the website titled

• “Positive Profile”

• “Positive Profile – Eric”

Positive Profile1. Who is ____________?

2. What are ___________'s strengths?

3. What are ___________'s successes?

4. What are ___________'s greatest challenges?

5. What supports are needed for ___________?

6. What are our dreams for ___________?

7. Other helpful information.

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6 1. Who is Eric? • oldest child; Susan's brother • likes to help in the yard (digging, raking, etc.) • loves dinosaurs and trains • favorite channel is the Discovery Channel • favorite color is blue• likes to sing • likes to take pictures, like his dad. • likes to visit the library to look at books  

 

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6

2. What are Eric's strengths? • is persistent in learning about things of interest • is helpful w/ routine tasks (e.g. setting the table,

feeding the dog)• very neat and organized with his DVDs• can learn a fact if it is put to music • remembers names of people • understands what is being said

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6

3.What are Eric's successes? • belongs to children's choir at church• voted "most helpful" by his peers • learned to ride his bike• is getting better at sharing • is very good at operating a computer • can dress himself

• is learning to read

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6

4.What are Eric's greatest challenges?  

• can't communicate clearly

• dislikes unexpected change

• is hypersensitive to sound and touch

• is reluctant to do things on demand

• has difficulty with fine motor tasks such as handwriting

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6

5. What supports are needed for Eric? • opportunities to observe and learn from 'typical' children • a circle of friends for support • routines that are structured, yet flexible to allow for

increased tolerance to change • a curriculum which can be modified• use of assistive technology (i.e., computer), to expand

ability to communicate • increased opportunities to be included in community

activities

Positive Profile - Eric, Age 6

6.What are our dreams for Eric? • have a circle of friends in his neighborhood • learn to read and write • expand his ability to communicate

3. Create a system for organization

• Assessments• School records• Service providers• Medical records• Data collection

Document Management System

• Please download the handouts from the website titled

• “Document Management System Table of Contents”

• “Service Providers”

• “Intervention Log”

• “Medical Appointments Log”

• “Medication Log”

• “Daily Notes”

4. Take time for yourself, your partner, and your other children

5. Find a local support group for parents of children with autism – and go!

6. When someone asks to help, let them

7. Educate yourself by reading and attending as many workshops and conferences as you can

8. Consider applying for Medicaid Waivers •ID (Intellectual Disability) Waiver

•ED/CD (Elderly or Disabled) Waiver

•DD (Developmental Disabilities) Waiver

Webcast

Virginia Medicaid Waivers for Individuals with Autism

Spectrum Disorder by Bradford Hulcher

9. Set up a Special Needs Trust for your child, so future access to government benefits is not jeopardized

10. Seek other forms of assistance: Your child might qualify for:

•Supplemental Security Income - www.ssa.gov

•Medicaid, Family Caregiver Grants - contact your local Department of Social Services

•Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) - www.famis.org

Finally, remember YOU are the expert on your child.