A reclassification of autism could be on the horizon which has some experts in the field worried about those suffering from various levels of the disorder. Dr. Robert Brooks of Harvard Medical School who co-wrote the book Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders sat down with NJToday Managing Editor Mike Schneider to discuss the possible impact of a reclassification and what parents with autistic children can do for them.
Brooks said the redefinition can make it more difficult for families to receive services, but he also stressed that there is action that can be taken to help autistic children’s development, whether or not there is a formal diagnosis.
“Early intervention is critical,” Brooks said when it comes to diagnosing children on the autism spectrum. He said pediatricians should be able to help parents evaluate symptoms they might notice, including poor language development and social skills.
He said that parents can use their autistic children’s interests to help them improve. Brooks said he worked with a boy who loved baseball statistics. The boy’s father used that passion to connect with his son, getting baseball cards and taking him to baseball games.
Brooks prefers a whole team approach when working with children on the autism spectrum, which involves parents, teachers and specialists. “You’re going to have the best result,” he said.
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What do you do when everything is moving so slowly in his life…he is going back to night school to get his GED and the teacher called me to see “what is it that you and he want out of this”, is this the worst question she could have asked me…yes…we feel he was cheated in high school…he loves going there at school 2 nights a week and has done the homework on his own….and with corrections from me in a way he is actually doing the work…I spoke with the school prior to entrance and they said they would do everything they can to help him…..if and when, which will be today, I find out she has no education in the special needs department…..then we will have a problem….I am trying to stay on the positive and it is that she may not understand, he is slow but he gets it….how am I to stay positive and stop battling with the system??? This has been an up hill battle and I will never give up hope for him….the school is for all kinds of people seeking a GED…what is a single mother to do while he is going through this we are working with the University of Delaware and they tell me not to do this yet, my son wanted to go forward and we are regardless of what they say, because they promised time at the U of D and did not fulfill what they promised and I feel like funds are mis appropriated…what do I do….keep on going, he is 25, not 12, I have to move forward…any suggestions….I am so frustrated I am loosing my patience with people…help, thanks.