| Autism Research Institute | | | | (IDEA). Early Intervention from birth to 3 years |
| Do you have a young child who has recently been | | | | of age is available under Part C of IDEA. This |
| diagnosed with autism? Do you feel lost and don't | | | | should be pursued as early as possible, for the |
| know where to start? Then this article is for you! | | | | best outcome. Just understand that you will have |
| This article will discuss what 5 areas to | | | | to fight for your child, to receive a free |
| concentrate on, when your child is diagnosed with | | | | appropriate public education, which is their right |
| autism. The good news is that autism is now | | | | under IDEA. Unfortunately parents are the main |
| considered treatable; but treatment must start as | | | | enforcement mechanism of IDEA, but your child's |
| soon as possible, to be the most effective. | | | | life is worth it. |
| The first thing to do if your child has been | | | | 4. The educational treatment for autism is applied |
| diagnosed with autism is to call the Autism | | | | behavioral analysis (ABA). ABA is a well |
| Research Institute located in San Diego Ca, and | | | | documented and effective teaching method for a |
| ask for that a free parent packet be sent to you. | | | | lot of children with autism. This teaching method |
| The phone number is 1-619-563-6840. This packet | | | | involves 1 on 1 instruction and utilizes educational |
| will contain a lot of important information on | | | | tasks that have been developed for children with |
| autism and how to effectively treat it. | | | | autism. O. Ivar Lovaas is the person who |
| Also, contact your local Autism Society of | | | | developed this method many years ago. |
| America (look in your phone book for contact | | | | ABA should be started as close to 3 years of age |
| information), who can help you find service | | | | as possible, but definitely by 5 years of age. It |
| providers in your area, as well as other parents | | | | should continue at least until the child is 7, but |
| for support. | | | | depends on the level of disability. ABA is |
| These four areas should be pursued together (if | | | | expensive, but there are many court cases |
| possible) and as soon as possible: | | | | where parents have won the right, for the school |
| 1. Health; Determine if your child has health | | | | district to pay for this educational program. If |
| concerns. Many children with autism have | | | | your child receives ABA for at least 25-40 hours |
| gastrointestinal difficulties (yeast overgrowth, high | | | | per week, with qualified staff they could receive |
| levels heavy metal), food allergies or sensitivities, | | | | major benefit by age 7. |
| or seizures. A lot of children with autism have one | | | | 5. Educate yourself about Sensory Integration |
| or more of these. Try and find a doctor in your | | | | Dysfunction (SID), and seek treatment for your |
| area that treats children with autism. Or try | | | | child if they have it. Sensory integration refers to |
| Defeat Autism Now (DAN) that has a list of DAN | | | | our ability to take in information through our |
| doctors. Autism Research Institute | | | | senses, interpret that information and respond to |
| 2. Investigate and consider using bio medical | | | | it. Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the inability |
| treatments of autism. The DAN group has an | | | | of the brain to correctly process information |
| approach to bio medical treatments of autism. | | | | brought in by the senses. People with SID may |
| The book is called; Autism: Effective Bio Medical | | | | misinterpret everyday sensory information such |
| Treatments and can be found at | | | | as touch, sound and movement. Treatment is |
| 3. Special Education is available for children with | | | | usually occupation therapy, with a qualified |
| autism when they turn 3 years old under Part B | | | | Occupational Therapist. |
| of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | | | | |