In case you missed it, the Autism Speaks Family Services Team hosted their first LIVE Facebook Chat on May 25. The chat was an overwhelming success, with 426 participants!
If you have any questions, you can call, 888-288-4762 and the Autism Response Team Coordinator will be glad to speak with you and help find answers.
You may have some similar questions asked in the discussion, so here is the transcript.
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3:27
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Thank you so much for joining this chat! We are so excited to share our resources with you all. Our goal is to point you all in the right direction and help you in every way that we can! |
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3:29
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Comment From Guest
is there a test for asphergers syndrome? |
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3:31
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Unfortunately there is no medical test to determine Autism Spectrum Disorders, the diagnosis is made through structured observations of the person. |
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3:33
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Comment From Lilly
My son has moderate autism and is 16 years old. where and when do I look for services for him when he is an adult? What services does he get or can he get? |
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3:35
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Family Services has just released the Transition Tool Kit, this kit will be a tremendous help to you and your family in finding resources go to www.autismspeaks.org/familyserviices. |
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3:35
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Comment From Guest
When I read “early intervention”, how old is ‘early’? |
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3:36
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Thanks for your question! |
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3:36
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Early intervention typically starts at the age of 2, although the earlier, the better. |
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3:36
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Some children are being diagnosed at age 1 today because of better detection and awareness. |
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3:37
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Comment From Angie
I sent a question, did it get received? |
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3:37
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Comment From Melanie
I was wondering if you have any book recommendations for family members who dont know anything about Autism and educating them? |
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3:37
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We are trying to answer as many questions as possible! |
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3:38
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Our Resource Library is available online and we have a variety of autism related information and the latest books |
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3:38
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Comment From Chall
How do I learn about support groups in my area? I currently live in Mt Pleasant. Also, is it possible to have a diagnosis of PDD NOS at age 4-5 and then suddenly fit ito a category like Aspergers? |
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3:39
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If you visit our Resource Library, you can search by state to find services in your area |
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3:40
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Also, it is true that children can change over time, so it is important to have your child reevaluated to track progress and changes in development |
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3:42
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Comment From Marie
Is there resources or supports for siblings? I have an 11 year old son with Aspergers and Tourettes and our younger son who is 9 is dealing with some issues dealing with his brother… |
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3:42
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Hi Marie – that is a great question |
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3:43
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Comment From Annie Ellis
I asked a question and got no response. I’m wondering if you have any suggestions for getting my 3yr old autistic son, Jamey to eat or even try new foods? |
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3:43
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Selectivity in food choices if very common in individuals with autism |
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3:44
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This should be included in your child’s IEP as a goal and addressed through a team effort because of the challenges of this type of behavior |
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3:44
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There are several programs out there to help Jamey try new foods, it is a matter of individualizing it for your son |
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3:45
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Comment From Dawn
My daughter has found a program for the summer for my grandson, but it is so expensive and not covered by her medical insurance. Is there help out there? |
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3:46
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Summer Programs can be very expensive and one of the things we encourage families to do, is to ask for scholarships or sliding-scale fees for those who cannot afford to pay full tuition |
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3:47
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Also, there are community groups who do make donations to cover the individuals tuition |
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3:48
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Comment From DENICE
HOW DO YOU BECOME AN ADVOCATE IN A AREA SUCH AS TEXAS THE VERY TIP OF TEXAS ? MCALLEN TEXAS… |
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3:51
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You all have such great questions! We are working to answer all of them! |
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3:51
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Comment From Guest
what sort of trainings might parents of children with (mild) autism want to participate or get trained in? (ABA, etc.) |
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3:52
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It is well known that families that get involved with working with their children ahve a higher success rate in achieving their goals |
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3:52
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It is important to find local trainings or workshops that can assist you with these details |
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3:53
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Comment From chris
How do I tell my son about the changes his body is going through? |
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3:53
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This can be a very difficult conversation |
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3:54
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There is a ‘Sexuality’ section in the Transition Tool Kit that helps to explain the changes their body is going through |
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3:54
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Comment From Sarah
My son is a 16 years with a diagnosis of asperger. He really wants to be like “other” kids, and would like to get a part time job…but making calls, etc. scares him. Any suggestions? |
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3:54
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Hi Sarah! Thanks for your question |
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3:55
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It is understandable that he would react like this. Practicing will help him learn and gain this skill. |
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3:56
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He could take his resume and bring it to a store if he feels more comfortable face-to-face. Sometimes it is easy to interact in that way |
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3:56
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Comment From allisa
I need to find qualified respite or care giver for an 11 year old with a dual diagnosis of down syndrome & autism. I am a single mom with 3 children….and I never ever have a break …..is there any options at her age ? |
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3:57
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Typically parents will go through local agencies, like Easter Seals, that provide respite |
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3:57
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Networking to find that respite worker is key – maybe other parents, your church group, local colleges, etc. |
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3:57
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You are right – you need a break! |
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3:58
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It is key to find someone that you and your child are comfortable with |
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3:58
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Comment From Tasha
My daughter is 3 and just got diagnosed with Autism last week. When I tell people she is Autistic, NO ONE believes me. Not even family. Could the doctor and I have been wrong? Or is there a way to open peoples eyes and except it? |
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3:59
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Accepting an autism diagnosis is a process |
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4:00
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Sometimes family members will react with denial, and this is normal and difficult. If your child has been diagnosed by a competent professional then you should feel like you have taken the right steps in getting your child the right help that they need |
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4:01
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Comment From arrione
Are there any good programs in Louisiana for autistic children? |
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4:03
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Comment From Courtney
We just found out my son has Autism last Thursday. We were also told that the waiver for funding for his treatment will take about a year. What can we do in the mean time? |
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4:04
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Hi Courtney – I can’t specifically answer your question because most funding and treatment depend on the state you live in |
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4:05
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You are doing the right thing about asking questions and asking why. The earlier you start, the better off you are |
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4:05
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Comment From Sue
We have struggled with pubic school to get what our 8 y/o son with Asperger’s needs. They think all Aspie kids are the same. We will be home schooling in Fall. Can anyone suggest curriculum’s that help keep a 3rd grader engaged? |
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4:06
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We have developed a Tool Kit that you may find very helpful that is geared to individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome |
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4:07
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Comment From Trina
Are there any resources online to help an autistic teen prepare for a job interview? |
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4:08
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‘Autism in the Workplace’ is a useful guide for helping individuals prepare for a job interview |
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4:09
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This focuses on employment readiness |
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4:09
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Comment From Traci
I am single mom with no income and I am having troubles finding the help I need for the guardianship paperwork for my son. He is turning 18 in July so I don’t have much time. Any suggestions? |
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4:10
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This changes depending what state you live in. There is a section in the ‘Transition Tool Kit’ called legal matters. |
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4:10
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Guardianship differs from state to state so it is important that you discuss with a state agency |
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4:12
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We are so excited that you are all participating, but we just don’t have the time to answer everyone’s questions! |
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4:13
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If your question goes unanswered you can call, 888-288-4762 and the Autism Response Team Coordinator will be glad to speak with you and help find answers to your questions |
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4:15
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Comment From Suzanne
When my 3-year old was diagnosed a year ago with Autism, doctors and early intervention services were lined up to evaluate him. But nobody cares about getting my 8-year old a diagnosis. How do I get a comprehensive evaluation for an older child? |
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4:16
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We are so sorry to hear you are having difficulties. The process should be the same as a younger child, but we often recommend that you go through your pediatrician to get a referral. This is a good way to begin the process. |
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4:16
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The school district and state agencies should also be involved. |
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4:17
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This is a common complaint from families that have older children requiring an evaluation |
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4:17
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Comment From amy
need information on how to make a child with aspergers behave at school |
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4:19
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This is an excellent resource and you should be able to find just what you are looking for! |
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4:19
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Comment From arrione
Do autistic kids need to get their hearing checked? |
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4:20
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Along with their vision, hearing should be included in their annual check-up with their pediatrician. This is true for all children. |
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4:21
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Comment From Jess
My son, 5, has problems with aggression. He has pretty severe sensory processing disorder (official diagnosis PDD-NOS). He’s always hitting and kicking the people around him. I’m worried it will keep him from having friends as kids are already eyeing him warily. What are the best resources to help us deal with it? Time outs and other typical discipline do not work. |
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4:22
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Aggressive behavior can be part of having an autism spectrum disorder. It is important to have a professional understand and evaluate the child’s behavior. This is done through observation of the behaviors and the environments they occur in. |
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4:23
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You should ask your child’s teacher or members of the IEP team for a behavioral consultation |
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4:24
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Part of the evaluation will be a plan that will help to address behaviors across all environments |
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4:26
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Comment From Devin
My 3 year old daughter has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. I was just wondering if there are any ways to help her cope while out in public. We can’t stay at home ALL the time, but she just cannot function in public. It’s heartbreaking and embarrassing at the same time. |
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4:27
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Our recommendation is to get some help with this and your IEP Team should be a resource |
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4:28
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It is important to have your child out in public and exposed to different people and communities. It is also important to deal with behaviors once they do come up |
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4:28
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Your child will have the opportunity to adapt and learn new behaviors when you respond consistently each time |
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4:29
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It is important that you are addressing these behaviors at a young page – good for you! |
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4:29
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Alright everyone, this chat is coming to a close |
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4:29
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Thanks to you all for participating! |
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4:30
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We are so sorry if we didn’t answer all of your questions. We are still here for you! |
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4:30
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Please call the Autism Response Team 888-288-4762 and you can talk with coordinators who will be glad to answer your questions |
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Autism Speaks’ Alycia Halladay, Ph.D., will be live online this afternoon (4 pm EDT, 1 pm PDT) to answer your questions on the just released study showing a high risk of autism among the younger siblings of children on the spectrum. Dr. Halladay organized and continues to help lead the High-Risk Baby Siblings Research Consortium that conducted the research and which continues to study the factors that predispose some families to autism recurrence. Please join us and bring your questions. Meanwhile, please see our news item and a special commentary from Autism Speaks’ Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson, Ph.D.
