Help for Families Dealing With Autism

Parenting is never an easy job, and raising a child with autism has its own unique challenges. Fortunately, with more attention being drawn to autism and autism spectrum disorders, more resources are becoming available to help families dealing with these issues. From support groups to classes to respite care, there are a variety of things out there that can help minimize the struggles and celebrate the joys of raising these special children.

Services

• Many autistic children will benefit from the services of an occupational therapist (OT). An OT can help your child work on social skills, life skills and fine motor skills like coordination and motor planning. She can also address any sensory issues your child has and help you learn ways to make dealing with the sensory world easier for him.

  If your child has low tone in his large muscles, a physical therapist (PT) can help him build strength and endurance.

  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that all children have the right to a free, appropriate education. This means that your child's school must provide special services so that your child can get all that he can out of his school experience. This may be something as involved as enrolling him in special classes and providing him with in-school therapies or something as simple as allowing him to use paper with raised lines so it's easier for him to write neatly. Your child's school should set up an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as early as possible. You will have a meeting with school administration and your child's teachers to set up the IEP. The IEP will include your child's strengths and struggles and any special needs he has. It will also include a plan to help accommodate his needs, encourage his strengths and overcome his struggles. The plan may include allowing him to have his desk away from others so he has his own space, instructions the teachers must follow if your child has a meltdown, or whatever your child needs to succeed.

  If your child's autism is very involved and he needs extra adult help, agencies like Easter Seals (www.easterseals.com) can provide one-on-one workers. These programs provide a trained adult worker to be with your child at school or at home to help with his needs. This worker may assist him with schoolwork so that the teacher can tend to the rest of the class, help with bathing or other tasks at home, or take him out into the community to help build social skills.

Support

• If your child can't tolerate being around many people or struggles with sensory issues, it can be hard to go anywhere. Too often, other people don't understand the complex issues involved with autism and the lack of understanding can make you feel quite alone. Having a support system to call on can make a huge difference in your own mental health. Online support groups are available any time, and can provide a path to new interventions, treatments and most important, links to people who understand.

  In-person support groups provide the same benefits as online support groups, and allow you to get out of the house for a little while. Many agencies provide child care and meals for no cost while you're attending the group. Autismlink (see resources) provides a list of support groups and other services by state.

Where to Find Help

• The resources below can get you started. Your child's pediatrician, OT or PT can also refer you to services in your area. Talk to other parents of children with autism; fellow parents can give you honest feedback about support groups and service providers, and may also become part of that important support system.