Yes.
Stupid sensationalist press.
Seriously though, I can't stand early intervention. Kids are kids, and should be allowed to be kids without getting all sorts of elitish therapy pushed on them. Thye will have time to blend in when they're older- let them be autistic for a bit.
I think that if somebody is too young to say they want therapy, they are too young to have it. Exceptions can be made in certain cases, but as a rule whether an autistic person wants to learn NT skills is up to them, and they should do it when they're ready, rather tha when their parents are ready.
Yes I agree the press is stupid.
I dont agree about the early intervention though. My son was diagnosed at 2.5 and entered Birth to 3 program at that age. It wasnt intensive nor is his program now. He is 4.5 now and goes to school from 9-1p Mon-Fri. which comes to 20 hours that includes his regular prek class / ot/ slp/ and ABA. His ABA is 1.5 hours a day. Definately not intensive however in the last two years my son has made awesome progress.
I think he needs time to be a kid too which is why he doesnt have a crazy 40 hour ABA per week plus everything else. I think that is crazy - not to say that I dont have friends whose child has that program because I do. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the "right" thing though. Hmm.....
It really depends on the kind of therapy. Speech therapy for a nonverbal child is quite important, for example. So is occupational therapy, if he's missing self-help skills. Therapy for problems with self-regulation could help, too--especially if it's aimed at helping with sensory overload, transitions, and other meltdown-inducing problems. This isn't "let's make this kid normal", but "let's educate this kid so he reaches his potential". Of course, you need to find a therapist who agrees with that statement, or it's all wasted time anyway...
Exactly Callista. I couldnt imagine my son without speech therapy. I like your "let's educate this kid so he reaches his potential" I guess that just sums up what I'm thinking. Early intervention is not about changing the child into something he's not but rather giving him the necessary tools to be able to succeed in life.
Marcia, my son was the opposite, he didnt want to stop breastfeeding. The nurse would literally get him to the nursery and then come back with him. "He's still hungry" I think back and I just think he wanted to be held as he does now. Perhaps it could have been an early indication. I think my son was always this way , I just didnt notice till ~18 months.
I didn't want to stop being carried. Wouldn't sleep unless I was in a baby sling.
My son loves to cuddle in my lap . He still falls asleep on me. He's my little baby still.
Early intervention might be a good way to ensure a kid, fully grown, dislikes his status as an AS/autistic person. I can think of a few people on AFF, anecdotally, who were mistreated/misunderstood by the people around them (including family members) for their autistic behavior at an early age. These same individuals have stated that they received intervention.
What strikes me about them is that they--generally, but not universally--do not like having Asperger's and are enthusiastic for a cure. I'm not sure if it was due to being ostracized for their differences from a young age (I can say, I never was, my AS is not severe), or the interventions sending a message of "we need to correct your behavior," or both.
The opinion I have come to, in this post, is based on flimsy anecdotal evidence, so it may as well be disregarded. But still, I'm not sure about early intervention--personally. I apologize to parents of autistic children--your argument of "you're not the one raising an autistic child" is valid. Were I to be in your shoes, my opinion could be different and might actually be in favor of ABA.
It really depends on the kind of therapy. Speech therapy for a nonverbal child is quite important, for example. So is occupational therapy, if he's missing self-help skills. Therapy for problems with self-regulation could help, too--especially if it's aimed at helping with sensory overload, transitions, and other meltdown-inducing problems. This isn't "let's make this kid normal", but "let's educate this kid so he reaches his potential". Of course, you need to find a therapist who agrees with that statement, or it's all wasted time anyway...
I agree completely with this entire post.
For one instance-my son can now shower-he couldn't stand light touch at all and with a titch of OT he is able to have water sprayed on him..he quite likes it now..
I don't want him cured or made 'normal' one bit.. I just want him clean
Isnt OT amazing? I've noticed so much improvement in my son in regards to what touch he can tolerate and more body awareness/motor planning. Truely amazing!
I agree completely with this entire post.
For one instance-my son can now shower-he couldn't stand light touch at all and with a titch of OT he is able to have water sprayed on him..he quite likes it now..
I don't want him cured or made 'normal' one bit.. I just want him clean
That's interesting Batman. Thanks for the perspective. I do think early intervention is good though. I guess I can see why ABA would cause someone to think they need to stifle their autistic traits. They frown upon stimming etc. Never really thought about the differences between those who received early intervention and those that have not.
Early intervention might be a good way to ensure a kid, fully grown, dislikes his status as an AS/autistic person. I can think of a few people on AFF, anecdotally, who were mistreated/misunderstood by the people around them (including family members) for their autistic behavior at an early age. These same individuals have stated that they received intervention.
What strikes me about them is that they--generally, but not universally--do not like having Asperger's and are enthusiastic for a cure. I'm not sure if it was due to being ostracized for their differences from a young age (I can say, I never was, my AS is not severe), or the interventions sending a message of "we need to correct your behavior," or both.
The opinion I have come to, in this post, is based on flimsy anecdotal evidence, so it may as well be disregarded. But still, I'm not sure about early intervention--personally. I apologize to parents of autistic children--your argument of "you're not the one raising an autistic child" is valid. Were I to be in your shoes, my opinion could be different and might actually be in favor of ABA.
Isn't it cruel to stop kids from stimming?
I don't see what's inappropriate about, for example, rocking... I do that all the time, especially when I'm doing math; it helps get the formulas straight in my head. I don't know what I'd do without it. Probably bang my arm against something and end up with constant bruises... yeah, don't wanna go back to that, thanks.
It's always good to teach someone as much as you can of what they need to help themselves. If a child is given the ability to control himself, that is a great goal. On the other hand, if a child is taught to obey the control of others for their convenience, that is a bad thing and leaves any child with new disabilities he might have never had.