Having your child diagnosed with autism can be scary and intimidating for some parents. Many times, parents will assume the worst and worry about how they can keep their children safe and happy. The first thing to do is not to panic. Stay calm and begin looking into treatment facilities that offer autism parent training along with all of the development and behavioral therapy your child will need to grow and thrive.
At Camp Worth, we support teen boys and girls aged eleven to seventeen with their education and development. Our certified behavioral therapists, medical staff, and teachers will work with teens and their parents to teach them life skills and coping mechanisms they need to lead healthy and independent lives. There is help available for you and your teen if they are diagnosed with autism. Fill out our online form or call 855.915.2545 today to learn more about our autism parent training and other beneficial autism programs.
5 Things to Do When Your Child is Diagnosed with Autism
1. Stay Calm
Don’t let the autism diagnosis frighten you. While there is no cure for autism, many programs can benefit their development, no matter their age. Plus, they can help you create a better home environment that is conducive to their health and well-being.
2. Find Development Programs
Look into early development programs because the sooner you get your child into development programs, the better.
They will learn fundamental skills through therapy programs such as:
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Behavioral therapy
3. Watch Your Child Closely
Being observant takes a little practice, but it will aid your child’s development. Children with autism communicate in different ways, and you will need to listen with your eyes to pick up on how your child uses nonverbal communication techniques.
4. Keep a Journal
Keep a diary of your child’s actions and behaviors and which techniques work best for their development. It can also aid therapists in their training and give your child the best chance at leading an independent life.
5. Enroll your child in behavioral therapy
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a proven therapeutic technique for helping children diagnosed with autism. It helps improve social and communication skills, reduces unwanted behavior, and improves their focus and cognitive abilities.
How to Get Diagnosed with Autism
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is difficult as there is no blood test or other medical tests that can diagnose autism. Instead, doctors observe a child’s development rate to determine whether or not they have ASD. The earliest signs of autism begin to show around eighteen months but typically don’t start until after twenty-four months.
Early warning signs of ASD include:
- Avoiding eye contact
- Not showing interest in other children or caregivers
- Does not smile
- Communication is limited to one or two words
- Getting upset over minor changes
- Limited gesturing
Getting an autism diagnosis early on is essential for giving your child the best chance at developing their skills before bad habits can form. At Camp Worth, we can point you in the right direction if you think your child may have autism and you need to know how to get diagnosed with autism.
Turn to Camp Worth When Your Teen Receives an Autism Diagnosis
If your child is diagnosed with autism, know that you are not alone. At Camp Worth, we design our programs to work with your teen’s unique symptoms and help them develop new skills to cope with their autism diagnosis.
We offer several types of programs, including:
- Counseling and behavior analysis program
- Food and nutrition program
- Education program
- Family education program
If your teen is diagnosed with autism, call 855.915.2545 today for more information about how we can benefit your child’s development.
