ADVOCATE
As your child gets older, your role as their advocate will develop and change depending on their unique needs. Often when they are younger, you may need to be facilitate means to ensure their voice is heard and respected, no matter if it’s vocal or an alternative communication method that works best for them. As they get older, you may continue to support them in educating others about neurodiversity and autism by supporting and/or assisting with the facilitation of their self advocacy efforts . This will look different for everyone , to varying degrees depending on your child’s support levels.
ONGOING SUPPORT
In addition to being a parent and an advocate for your child, you are their number one ally. Your support can help them reach their full potential in the face of adversity and various challenges. Celebrate even the smallest victories with your child and acknowledge every achievement. Your unconditional love and support will not only make them feel safe but also feel motivated to learn, grow, and achieve anything possible.
BE THEIR PARENT
There’s no more important role in a child’s life than that of their parents. As a parent, it’s your job to love, support, raise, and teach them about the family values that shaped you through the years. As a parent of an Autistic child you are their number one support for exploring the world, learning about discipline and safety, and interacting with others. Being a parent is the most important thing you can do for your children.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S AUTISM DIAGNOSIS
Finding out that your child is Autistic can be overwhelming and often difficult for some parents. You may be overcome with feelings or thoughts surrounding the notion everything will be different than you expected. The unknown is often challenging, so it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible about Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurodiversity, and Autistic Community norms.
Educating yourself can greatly assist in providing child a meaningful and significant acceptance. By getting to know their norms, discerning differences from weaknesses, accommodating their differences, accepting their differences, locating and utilizing proper supports , you will not only learn how to facilitate inclusion in your every day life as common practice but also model these important skills for your child so that they go into adulthood prepared and self aware. At Children’s Milestone in Laurel, we collaborate with families to focus on the unique needs of your child. Get in touch with us today to learn more about the ABA Therapy programs that we offer and how we can give you and your child the support you deserve.
HOW ABA THERAPY CAN BENEFIT YOUR CHILD
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children that need assistance with behavioral management and skill acquisition . It is designed to help your child develop and strengthen skills, reduce challenging behavior, and/or develop replacement behaviors needed to support optimal quality of life. ABA therapy can help increase language, communication skills, improve attention, focus, memory, and social interactions, and more. Whether you’ve recently received your child’s ASD diagnosis or you are in the process of preparing them for school and real-life experiences, ABA therapy can improve your child’s overall quality of life.