Early Intervention!…
Early Intervention!….Early Intervention!. We have all heard it but what does it really mean? To start off, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that along with regular developmental surveillance, all children be screened for ASD at 18 to 24 months of age. In addition to ASD screening, concomitant medical and behavioral conditions must also be assessed. These include, but are not limited to sleeping and feeding disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, seizure disorders, attention deficit and anxiety disorders. To date, there is no approved cure for autism. Early intervention strategies have been proven to significantly impact a child’s quality of life. According to the AAP, the goals of early intervention are to (1) minimize core deficits (social communication and interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests) and co-occurring associated impairments (2) maximize functional independence by facilitating learning and acquisition of adaptive skills; and (3) eliminate, minimize, or prevent problem behaviors that may interfere with functional skills. Interventions can be provided through educational practices, developmental therapies and behavioral intervention. Two categories of intervention include comprehensive treatment model (CTM) and focused intervention.
To date, applied behavioral therapy (ABA) is the most evidence based CTM. For our journey with Jayson, we used ABA and a program offered through Kennedy Krieger Institute called Early Achievements and after one year of service, children move up into the Achievements program. This program allowed Jayson to be in a classroom setting with 3-4 autustic children and 1 typical peer with a general goal to mimic behaviors from the typical peer and work on that socialization and interaction skills that most autistic children struggle with. Of course details about Jayson’s journey on this topic can be found in the book. With a combination of both these programs, Jayson really showed great improvement in his behavior and speech. ABA helps your child to develop new skills (ie. speech and social engagement) and/or to minimize behaviors (i.e. aggression). Therapies must be individualized and will vary from age to age. It is important that whatever strategy is used, it is initiated as early as possible and once incorporated should be done so, consistently.
EARLY intervention is key
Let me reiterate this point again, EARLY intervention is key. Some of you reading this are in the early stages of the journey, others are more seasoned. Wherever you are in the journey please get and continue to get services for your child. Isaiah 40:31 says “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Our God tells us that in our waiting, He will always renew our strength. In addition, that our strength will also mount up like wings of an eagle. Eagles have one of the longest wingspans of all birds. An eagle can kill an animal more than 7 times its own weight. That is how our strength will rise in our time of waiting. So hold on to Him. Hold on to His promises. As we wait for His promises to manifest, please please please continue to get services for your child. When you are done reading this blog, please take the time to review the educational materials on our website (www.segcenter.org). There you will find a lot of resources that I am sure will be of great help to you as you go through this journey. I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to give us the wisdom and the strength we need to continue on our journey of autism.
Love you all,
God bless you.