How can a family insure their child with Autism reach his/her highest potential?
You want your child to reach his highest potential. After the diagnosis of Autism, the initial grieving... you become motivated to give it everything you've got...but how can you be sure you do that. There are several elements that need to be in place. You may find that one is missing from time to time or you may find one very hard to achieve. But staying focused on these elements is important.
1. Consistency- You must be consistent in implementing your home Autism treatment program. This may require you to develope skills you never had...administration, teaching, employee management...consistency in your program is important.
2. Teamwork- keeping an ABA team together, making sure the team is informed on targets and procedures.
3. Consulting- you will want regular faithful consulting. I recommend no less than two times a month but if you must, once a month for 4-6 hours minimum.
4. Family Commitment- One person cannot do this. You need your family to be on board...even if you don't always agree, you need the help, both physically and emotionally
5. Finances- there is no question. Finances are necessary. Sacrifices may have to be made, battles may have to be fought. (it seems from the moment we get diagnosis, we are battling)
6. Training- you will need to continually educate yourself. This is whether you run a treatment program for two years or ten. The science in autism treatment is building all the time. Without constantly exposing yourself to the knowledge, you may miss out on a procedure or idea that will help your child.
7. Yourself- take care of yourself. If you burn yourself out from lack of sleep or not eating...you won't be able to make the long haul. Please, please take care of yourself.
I know each of the above is so hard. I've battled in each one. But the key is to be pushing forward, positively. Stay as far away as you can from the negative. Keep moving forward.
My heart is with you.
Katherine Lee