| As parents we all want to believe that our children | | | | child is in has children with Down syndrome, or |
| are perfect and we want the very best for them. | | | | epilepsy the class my not be advanced enough for |
| How would you feel if you learned that your child | | | | your autistic child. You could lose ground by not |
| suffered from Autism? As a parent of three children | | | | challenging them enough. The key here is to meet |
| I am still in denial after learning that my youngest has | | | | with the school officials and have them meet the |
| characteristics in the Autism Spectrum. What exactly | | | | requirements for your child. Let's be realistic as well. |
| does this mean? Well, doctors have said to me that | | | | Your school district may not be equipped to handle |
| this means he has a few of the autism symptoms, | | | | your child's needs at first, but you the parent must |
| but he is not exactly or totally autistic. He may start | | | | insist that your school district make efforts to |
| out slow (in some areas), but in a few years he | | | | accommodate your child. My son started speech |
| could catch up with the other kids in the areas he | | | | therapy at age three, and the school administrator |
| was lagging in. What does this mean? Plain and simple | | | | made accommodations for this. This has helped him in |
| it means there is hope. My son has delayed speech | | | | several areas where he was challenged before. In 6 |
| and withdraws from social interaction. Mind you he is | | | | months he is speaking in full sentences, but the |
| only 4 years old, but this behavior is still in the autism | | | | gibberish talk is still there just not as bad as before. |
| spectrum. After attending a seminar with parents | | | | He has improved socially in some areas as well. He |
| who's children have autism I am starting to believe | | | | plays beside the other kids, but he still won't interact, |
| that my son may be Autistic. | | | | but before he would hide in a corner. He is |
| My first response was there is no way that my son | | | | progressing, and my goal as a parent is for my son |
| is handicapped. As I learned more about autism I | | | | to have every opportunity as the rest of the kids in |
| learned that I was right. Autism is not a handicap it is | | | | school. |
| a disadvantage. Autistic children may be great or | | | | In my efforts to make parents aware that autism is |
| even geniuses in math, but during P.E. (Physical | | | | real. I also want to give hope to those parents that |
| Education) they may with draw. There other classes | | | | are frustrated and feel helpless. Join the support |
| could be average or above, but socially they have no | | | | seminars, and read about autism. The knowledge you |
| interest. These are a few examples, but the more | | | | receive about autism will better equip you to handle |
| you learn about autistic children the easier it is to | | | | the pressure of being the parent of an autistic child. |
| understand your autistic child. | | | | Remember this one point and don't forget it. This is |
| Should they be put in special education classes? My | | | | your child and your child is at a disadvantage, but he |
| theory is while in the beginning this may sound good | | | | or she is not paralyzed. Your child has a chance to |
| it could also be bad for the long-term progress of | | | | live a normal life. Follow the programs available to |
| your child. Have you ever heard of monkey see | | | | you, and do the research. Keep the hope in your |
| monkey do? Over time your child could regress do to | | | | heart. You will only have regret if you do nothing at |
| the progress of the other children. If the class your | | | | all. |