In this podcast episode, join Dr. Mary Barbera and Kelsey as they delve into the top five questions surrounding a child’s newly diagnosed autism. A new autism diagnosis can bring a lot of grief and worry. There is so much you can to help your child and the whole family. So if you have questions regarding your child or clients new diagnosis or autism and what that means for them and your family, you are in the right place!
YOU’LL LEARN
- After a diagnosis: Processing, support, and action
- Navigating systems and overcoming barriers
- Realistic goals and proactive planning
- Navigating grief and autism
- How to talk to family and friends about autism
- Managing expectations
We explore the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis and stress the importance of seeking support and taking the time to process. Our focus is on proactive steps to support the child and their family, including applied behavior analysis treatment and navigating available resources. Even if you have had an autism diagnosis for a while, this information might be new for you.
Grieving after an autism diagnosis.
We emphasize the significance of understanding how to navigate systems and overcome barriers by gaining knowledge. Having a new diagnosis of autism can be a big learning curve but this episode will be sure to give you the knowledge you need. We address the topic of grieving and worrying about the child’s future, emphasizing the range of challenges autism presents. Managing expectations, appreciating small victories, and practicing self-care are key themes in this episode.
Throughout the episode, we share inspiring stories of children who have made significant progress with treatment and parental involvement, highlighting the power of a personalized plan. We challenge the notion of a set number of ABA therapy hours and promote a tailored approach to intervention that is based on assessment and the childs individual needs.
You also won’t want to miss the importance of actively engaging with children with special needs, promoting evidence-based support, and avoiding negative outcomes. Once you learn how to actively engage your child with the techniques in my online courses, you will be able to have less stress during your days.
How to tell my family and friends about autism diagnosis?
We also navigate a common question I get about how to inform friends and family about a diagnosis, reassuring listeners that there is no shame in it and encouraging them to do what feels right for them. Sometimes, starting with just the people you see every day is the best first step. Often, if we don’t tell people what is going on then they cannot support us!
We conclude by discussing opportunities for children of all abilities to participate in adaptive sports teams, highlighting the safety, independence, and happiness of every child. Throughout the episode, we provide information on accessing our podcast, “Turn Autism Around,” and recommend valuable resources for parents and professionals dealing with autism-related challenges. Join us as we explore the path to turning autism around!
RESOURCES
- Workshops – Learn more about our online courses and resources with a free workshop
- Free autism digital assessment
Persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Early Childhood Through School Age by Elizabeth Harstad, MD, MPH et al done out of Boston’s Childrens Hosptial
