AUTISM JOURNEY: #1 - part 2. Navigating a new space with twin toddlers w/ #autism. #autismacceptance

The toughest thing to navigate during our journey has been all the new language I’ve had to learn. Hope this series will serve as a resource as I break down the different terms and acronyms over the next few. Today’s word of the day is “Early Intervention”. This is a combination of my specific experiences, conversations w/ other parents and research. It couldn’t possibly be exhaustive, but I think it will be helpful.

#EarlyIntervention is the umbrella term used to describe the services and supports that are available to children up to age 3, with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. May include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family. The goal is to identify and then help address any delays or disabilities. Each State and city operate quite similarly but do check the CDC website for the right contact for your area.

The most important steps of the process include:
1- The Referral: People always ask how do you know. You don’t. You have a gut feeling, a hunch, then maybe your pediatrician/child care provider also notices that maybe your child isn’t responding to certain things in expected ways- whether it’s communication, social, physical etc. Based on that, you make a referral to the Early Intervention program in your locality. You can easily find them through web search.
2. SERVICE COORDINATOR: Take this very seriously, you get assigned a service coordinator to Coordinate all the
many pieces of this process and be your guide (especially on #5 below. Use them fully and if you don’t find them useful, immediately ask for someone else.
3. EVALUATION: this is where your child is observed/assessed to determine which if any delays exist and which services would be required. PLEASE push for this to happen IN-PERSON. It’s so hard for this to be accurate through any kind of tele-meeting.
4. DETERMINATION: based on observations and report, a final decision is made as to services & frequency.
5. SERVICE MATCHING & Delivery: Hardest part- see # 2
Do share your questions, comments and experiences. #Autism #autismmom #autismawareness #autismacceptance #neurodivergent #AutismVolumes