Learning that your child has autism is difficult. One of the key things parents often worry about after a diagnosis is how they can help their child cope and develop in the coming years. There are several different forms of therapy that can be used for children with autism, and it's up to you to choose the one that you believe is best suited to your child. However, most therapists, regardless of approach, do agree that early intervention is key for children with autism.
Early intervention means beginning to address your child's deficits upon diagnosis. That's often when a child is around one or two years old. So, what are the benefits of early intervention for autism?
Changes can be made while the brain is still plastic
The brains of children with autism are functionally different from the brains of children without autism. However, young brains are also very plastic, which means they can change structure and function more easily than older brains. For this reason, interventions begun early in a child's life can have a greater impact than those given when a child is older. Early intervention allows the therapists and practitioners to implement strategies that impact brain development positively, which should help the child develop better social skills, speech patterns, and behavior patterns. If these same therapies are applied later in life, when the brain is less plastic, they are not as effective.
You, as a parent, learn how to work with your child
Parenting a child with autism can be frustrating because it can be very different from parenting other children. The earlier your child starts receiving professional care, the sooner you can start to receive professional guidance in caring for them. This can help ensure better long-term results for your child, but it can also give you the confidence you need as a parent.
Your child can be better prepared for school
Every child has different needs when it comes to school. Some children with autism can function in a normal classroom, while others need some level of individualized education. The earlier your child starts receiving therapy, the more prepared they'll be for school. Also, the therapists will have a better idea of what they need in a school environment, and they can pass this information on to the school district to ensure your child gets what they need.
Early intervention is so important for children with autism, and also for their parents. Talk to a provider, such as Empower Behavioral Health & Intervention, to help your autistic child.
Is your knee stiff and painful every morning when you get out of bed? Perhaps, you sometimes feel a grinding sensation in your knee. If you can relate to this frustrating situation, you might be suffering from osteoarthritis. Thankfully, several treatments are available for this joint condition. Sometimes, physicians recommend patients battling osteoarthritis of the knee take a prescription painkiller. Doctors also often encourage patients to lose weight and start a low-impact exercise program. Swimming and walking are both great forms of low-impact exercise. On this blog, I hope you will discover how to effectively and quickly relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Enjoy!