Best Time and Places to Get Professional Help for an Autistic Child

If you’ve learned that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, you’re probably worried about what to do next. Every parent who has received an ASD diagnosis has been frightened, as everyone wants their child to be happy and healthy.

The two main questions that you might be asking are when to seek professional help and where to seek it. Fortunately, I have found that with the right information, tools, and professional help, you can help your child acquire the required skills and overcome their developmental challenges. 

As long as you start autism treatment at the right time and take advantage of behavioral therapy, government services, and school-based programs, you can meet your child’s needs and help them grow. In this guide, we take a closer look at when and where to get help.

When to Seek Help 

Photo credit: Andrew Ebrahim via Unsplash

When you are looking after an autistic child, it’s important to seek professional help at the right time. The right time is as early as possible, or before preschool age. In general, once you suspect that your child is autistic or once you get the diagnosis, you should seek professional help. 

1. As Early As Possible 

When parenting an autistic child, you should start treatment right away. As soon as you suspect that your child has developmental delays, even without an official diagnosis, you should seek professional help. I would advise that you should not wait for your child to outgrow their problem or catch up with their peers. 

The earlier your child gets help, the better your chance of achieving success in the treatment. Early intervention is always prioritized in autism because it can speed up their development and reduce the symptoms. It helps them achieve independence as soon as possible. 

2. Before Preschool Age 

It’s also important to seek help for autism between ages 0 and 3, or the age before they start preschool. Once I suspected that my little one had developmental delays, I took them for an evaluation and began treatment. 

Autism can be diagnosed by the age of 2, and at this age, the brain is still forming. This means that a young child’s brain is plastic, and the treatment would be more effective in the long term than starting late. 

Where to Seek Help 

Aside from finding the right time, you should also work with the right professionals when your child has autism. From therapy centers to schools and support groups, you need all the help you can get to prepare your child for independence as they grow up. Help with autism starts at home with the parent or guardian.

ABA Centers 

ABA centers are therapy centers that provide applied behavior analysis therapy to children with developmental delays like autism. It is based on the therapy of learning behavior, and the child works with a practitioner one-on-one to get help. 

There are plenty of ABA centers across America, but I would recommend Lighthouse Autism Centers if you’re in the Midwest. You can visit their centers in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with your kid and give them the best support possible. 

Medical Specialties 

You can also visit medical specialists with your child to get help with their autism. For one, you would need a primary care doctor to make regular visits, too. Depending on the needs of your child, you also need a neurologist and psychologist. 

You also need to work with a mental health specialist, like a counselor, school psychologist, or therapist, to provide healthcare services to your child. Another medical specialist you should work with is an occupational therapist, who would help your child with learning behavior. This is provided at ABA centers. 

At School 

You can decide to send your autistic child to public school if you start therapy and treatment early. If your child is academically capable, they will be taught in the same class and curriculum as their peers. It’s a good idea to provide the least restrictive environment for your child.

I chose a school that provides a one-on-one aide who has been trained to work with autistic children. This way, my child has all the support they need when they go to school.

Support Groups 

Autism support groups are targeted at parents and guardians, not kids. It provides a platform for you to connect with other parents and caregivers, share your ideas, experiences, and challenges, and learn more about managing autism-related issues.

This provides you with the emotional support you might need to care for your child. It also gives you a sense of community, and you can learn from other parents.

Family Support

Autistic children must have a good support system in place, and this starts with their families. Parents and caregivers should work with other family members to help their children. When you visit therapy or ABA centers, the professional will provide you with the tools and information you need.

Aside from supporting your child, parents of autistic children should also have a support system for themselves. I always tell parents that it’s important to take care of themselves. Be emotionally strong and be the best parent you can be for your child. 

Conclusion

When raising an autistic child, the most important factor is getting treatment at the right time and in the right place. Once you’ve handled these two factors, you can begin the journey of treating your child and supporting them to achieve independence. Remember to do research on autism, become an expert on your child’s unique needs, accept their quirks, and celebrate all the victories.