The word "Intervention"

[lingle]

I don't like it! It puts me into that resistant frame of mind. The connotations are negative (you intervene between people, or to stop someone, don't you?). Why can't they use "assistance" "guidance" or "help"? At DS2's nursery the teacher says "input" which is better also - it reflects the significance of her professional role but keeps DS2 centre stage, as it were. "Intervention" ties in with the tendency of the professionals to talk about language delay late talking on their websites as if it was something that you diagnose and cure with antibiotics. Whereas in reality, having read all your testimonies, it seems to be the parent and nursery who provide the long-term support.

This may sound trival but as one of the thousands of parents who bridled at the thought of being "disloyal" by seeking help for my DS1, I think changing the word could be a good thing, bringing professionals and parents closer together. It didn't matter that I did nothing in respect of DS1 but it must matter for other parents.

I always think of it as positive and doing 'something'!

Plus how on earth have you been disloyal to your ds1??? You have got him the help he deserves to reach his full potential. Parents who are realistic usually get the most help for their children.

I suppose it's one of those 'rose by any other name' issues but I see what you mean. 'Early intervention' has become a mantra for autism and it may be that parents need to be reminded that it is important to take stock and to plan your child's education, and not just to rush into whatever you think/hope might 'work'. Parents are vulnerable in the immediate aftermath of an autism dx - which is why it is important to talk to parents who are maybe a few years further down the line. Autism cannot be cured but in many/most cases, the child can make more progress if the education and learning programs are tailored to his or her needs.

Also - I think the mainstream professionals do not really speak of 'intervention' in that sense as they tend to have a pessimistic view of outcomes for autistic children. The websites you mention may be at the other extreme in presenting a view of a condition that can be acted upon quickly with their treatment. The parents must make their own judgements about what they want to do - and win the lottery to fund it !

intervention has more meanings than that!

you intervene in a problem, not in the child!

you intervene to prevent a problem developing or getting worse, like adjusting the steering of a ship.

I like it. It reminds me that outcome (to use another term) is not set in stone for something like autism. It may well be a lifelong disability, but intervention may alter what my son achieves and what he is able to do. For someone severely autistic (therefore previously viewed as a hopeless case with no chance of achieving anything at all) that's pretty positive!

Or you could do a Stanley Greenspan and talk about getting things "cooking". I always like that.

Thanks for letting me get it out of my system everyone!! I've got over it now!! .

thanks for understanding T!