As a nurse living in The Netherland in the early 2000s, Jennifer N. was at work one day when she treated a child with autism and realized that her own three-year-old twins had many of the same characteristics. After her twins were diagnosed, Jennifer’s older two children were also diagnosed. In a short period of time, all four of Jennifer’s children were receiving ABA therapy of some type.
Simply receiving a diagnosis often feels like it’s half the battle, but in the early 2000s, Jennifer also had to navigate healthcare that only had one BCBA to serve the entire country. Like many other autism moms, she took on the role as de facto therapist as she tracked down books and resources to help her children. That’s when she found my Verbal Behavior bundle.
Each of Jennifer’s children presented differently with autism. In her oldest daughter’s case, she was very verbal and an excellent student. Like many other girls with autism, her language ability meant that she flew under the radar for an autism diagnosis for years. For her twin boys, their IQs were tested and she was told that they were so low-functioning that they would live out their lives in a treatment facility. But this is a story of hope and illustrates the power that parents hold when they become their child’s best advocate.
Jennifer’s advice for parents who are dealing with a new diagnosis of autism is to learn the skills you need to help your child without hurting them. We are ultimately, as parents, responsible for our children. Professionals are only going to be in your life for a short time. After employing ABA therapy, Jennifer’s twins are testing at the genius IQ level, and her two older children are living independently with advanced degrees. ABA strategies employed correctly can help a child with autism change the trajectory of their life.
The book that Jennifer and I both needed when our children were first diagnosed has just been published. Turn Autism Around: An Action for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism is available now.
Today’s Guest
You’ll Learn
Resources
Not sure how to write a review? Here’s a video.
