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Hello and welcome here! Below are some FAQs that will help you begin navigating this site.
Who is this website for?
This website is for parents, teachers, caregivers, therapists, tutors, friends, or extended family that interact or work with individuals with autism.
What does this website focus on?
There are many aspects to autism. This website focuses on addressing the core challenges of autism - social communication and sensory/emotional regulation.
How will this website help me?
Here, we share therapies, tools, and technologies that are helpful for individuals with autism in building their communication skills, improving their focus, staying calm and being able to manage their anxiety or frustration. The strategies shared are meant to not only address skills but promote quality of life for the whole family.
Teachers, tutors, and therapists can benefit from learning about specific tools to address their goals with their students. They can also learn about the family's perspective through the personal sharing posts.
Who contributes to this website?
My name is Shanti. I'm a parent to a young adult with autism. I'm the founder and editor of this website. You can read more about my family's journey on the About page. I contribute some articles. Other contributors to this site include speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, teachers, behavior analysts, special education professors, and other parents.
Can I contribute?
Certainly! If you are a parent interested in sharing your story or a professional who wants to write about a methodology or share strategies or tips, please do email me at shantipriyakurada@gmail.com. You could also email me if you'd like to learn more about a certain tool, therapy, or technology used to teach individuals with autism. I look forward to hearing from you!
What is autism?
Autism is a neuro-developmental condition that affects social communication and sensory processing. Individuals with ASD process information differently from the neuro-typical population. This leads to strengths in structured thinking and visual-spatial reasoning and challenges with language, communication, social interaction, sensory processing, adaptive functioning, and emotional processing. Here is the CDC definition - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
What are the early signs of autism?
Autism may be evident very early in life ( 12 to 18 months) or it may be diagnosed later in life as social demands increase with age. ASD symptoms fall into 2 broad areas - social communication (lack of eye contact, reciprocity, turn taking) and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests (lining up toys, repetition of words or phrases). For a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms, look up https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
The Kennedy Krieger Institute video (top left) gives us an understanding of autism by comparing it to neurotypical development.
What does autism feel like?
Many individuals with autism such as Temple Grandin have written about what autism feels like, how they see the world and how this molds their thinking. The video (bottom left) shows what it feels like through the senses of a young boy with autism. See how he experiences a walk in the mall.
How Is Screening And Diagnosis Done?
Please refer to the CDC info here https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-screening.html
What Should I Do After Diagnosis?
Living Skills: If your child is under 3, they will receive Early Intervention services through the Regional Center (if you live in California). These services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy (to improve fine motor and gross motor skills), and a play group for social skills. The Regional Center focuses on non-educational goals needed for daily life - communication, adaptive functioning and independence, engagement skills, safety awareness, and health - so these services can continue beyond age 3 as long as they address non-educational goals and aim to improve daily living skills. You may also qualify for respite services, that is a break is provided for parents while a caregiver engages and keeps your child safe.
Education: Once your child turns 3, the school district will conduct an educational evaluation to understand your child's strengths and challenges, set educational goals and determine services, supports, and classroom placement. This happens through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting which includes, teachers, parents, a psychologist, and other professionals who will work with your child at school. Some parents may also opt to have a private psycho-educational evaluation done to design an intervention/educational program for their child.
Funding: The therapies your child receives may be covered through insurance and/or through school-funded services, and/or Regional Center services.
Family Wellbeing: Take a deep breath. You will be reading a lot and learning a lot and dealing with a lot in this early stage. Ensure that you have some supports - extended family, friends, neighbors, anyone that you can trust. Allow yourself mistakes and learn from them. Despite the therapies and intensity of the day, make time for simply being with your child and doing everyday activities such as reading together, going for a walk, and playing in the backyard. Establish structure and routines - these will provide clarity and focus both for you and your child even on a chaotic day. Talk to your family, including siblings, and find ways for everyone to be included, and support one another.
Autism Speaks provides a tool kit for families here https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/it-autism-and-if-so-what-next-guide-adults
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting is where parents, teachers, and other educational professionals discuss the student's strengths and challenges, design appropriate goals, and create detailed plans for how and when those goals will be met.
An IEP meeting is often associated with stress, but it doesn't have to be. It is possible to develop a positive, mutually respectful relationship with your school and work through differences. Since you will work with your child's school for several years, this relationship is an important foundation for his/her educational services and progress. Here are some strategies to remove the stress element and be an effective advocate for your child. Read More
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Autism Learning Community does not endorse any of the therapies, interventions, or legal/financial strategies discussed by the professionals or parents on this website. Information on this website is general in nature and is not intended as direct or authorized medical, legal, educational, or financial advice. The information is to be used as a starting point for building awareness about the available options and learning to navigate resources. Users are encouraged to conduct further research based on their child's individual needs and seek direct advice from professionals they know and trust.
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