Early intervention yields big benefits for children with autism

[dolfrog]

just found this article via Twitter
Early intervention yields big benefits for children with autism

Thanks dolfrog- had a look through- lots to read. Very interesting.

I did tell our CP at CAMHS that I had heard early intervention was best and that was why I am trying so hard to get DS1 the help he needs. The reply was that early intervention only really makes a big difference to the DCs who are more profoundly affected by Autism (I.e. not HFA). ?????????

Jerbil, I got fed the same line.... But then in the same breath they said 'but had DS been Dx in a couple of months he would have TONNES of help. We just haven't started the program yet". And no they won't roll back to include him. So we get absolutely no help at all. They did say that it is a double edged sword having HFA as many 'hide' their disability so well, they miss out on the early intervention. I've been fighting for a Dx for 4 years since he was 2, and really wished I'd known what I was tackling. I knew there was a problem but no way of knowing what it was, as well as no one believing me so he got pushed from paed to sleep advisor and no concrete help. Frustrating!

Wow yes! DS1 is 6 too. Still no dx of ASD. 2nd opinion process started now. soo frustrating and hides it so well!

Just found another useful source of information a USA site.
Helping Answer Needs by Developing Specialists (HANDS) in Autism
and the result of a pdf search on the HANDS web site (some pdfs on pages 1-3 of pages 1-10 are not downloadable without permission)

A further useful web page from HANDS
ABA Philosophy (HANDS in Autism Diamond)
and from the USA National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Autism Overview: What are the treatments for autism?

Jerbil....I second your frustration when trying to get help for HFA kids.
I knew from about 6 months that my DS had an issue...but I couldnt figure out what it was. I work in the area of child development so when I went to the GP he poo-poohed my concerns ''because you work in the area, you are looking for problems that aren't there'. Ditto at his developmental check-ups.
He finally got his diagnosis at 71/2...and I feel guilty that I let it go so long without help for him.

abeltasman...I do wonder if part of the issue with professionals missing the picture when kids are 4,5,6 is that they look at their part of the picture only and our kids are not yet 'different enough'- but we can see the overall picture from much earlier.
I changed my GP and when I first raised the issue with her, her reaction was 'I am a great believer in mum's intuition'.

dolfrog...thanks for all the links- I will work my way through them slowly.