A core desire I had during the first years of our home program was to "give away" the responsibility of our Autism Treatment program.
I wanted some one else to do all the work for me, to come in and just take it all and run with it. Of course, nothing would have been worse for my son, our relationship or our families future. But oh, how I wanted to have the responsibility lifted. I know that at times you must feel that way too.
Below is just a short list of areas that you can use as a checklist of responsibilities.
- Get trained- Know all the procedures and how to implement them in the natural environment.
- Manage your team- Give them direction, monitor their work. Don't expect them fly by the seat of their pants.
- Read your program book at least twice a week- You have to keep up with the progress of your child. I read our book at minimum every other night, but mostly, every day.
- Administrate your program- Keep your log book up to date, SD sheets updated, target sheets updated as well.
- Let your consultant know you want to be involved- to know what is going on and what to do next. (note: your consultant should desire to have you active on the team)
- Get trained as a "formal" therapist- Even if you choose not to do much table therapy, you will be able to fill in when team members are on vacation or ill. And your procedures will be better in the natural environment.
- Be informed- Read the latest literature on your child's ABA therapist. Go to conferences Get on parents e-mail lists. Network with other parents. (Note: I was told early on in our program DO NOT compare children. I advise you not to talk about the specific child when networking, just ABA in general.)
- Spend as much time as you can with your child- Know your child. Unvbelievably, some times our programs our so hectic, there are few down hours for parents to spend building a relationship with their children. How ironic that is. We spend all this effort so that our children CAN have relationships and then we don't know them. NOT. Don't let that happen to you and your child.
Note: I know that some of you have work outside the home and wonder how you can "do it all". I currently am in the same situation and I can't "do it all" every day. I just try as best I can.
And I admit it. Having run a home Autism treatment program for 8 years now, I still have selfish days when I want some one to "take all the responsibility". I know how hard it is to wake up every day working to save your child's functional life. But your involvement is key. Don't give up. I know you can do it.
My heart is with you,
Katherine Lee