Frequently Asked Questions About Autism
What is Autism?
Are there degrees of autism?
What causes autism?
What is the difference between PDD and
autism?
How is the diagnosis of autism made? Are
there special tests my doctor can do to determine whether my
child is autistic?
At what age can autism be diagnosed?
How can my child be assessed if he/she can
not talk?
What is the difference between autism and
PDD or PDD-NOS?
What is the best intervention for my child
with autism/PDD? Can autism be cured?
What about medication for my child with
autism?
If I have one child with autism, what are
my chances of having another child with autism?
What is the prognosis for my child with
autism/PDD?
Frequently Asked
Questions About Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
What are the characteristics that a person
has to have to be diagnosed with PDD or Asperger's?
Who is allowed to diagnose a person with
Asperger's or PDD?
Will my Doctor have heard about PDD or
Asperger's?
Is it possible that more than one person
in my family has PDD?
Should I do anything to prepare for my
child being assessed?
What is the process involved in getting a
diagnosis from a professional?
My child already has another diagnosis.
Will that diagnosis remain if they are diagnosed with PDD?
What if I don't agree with the Doctor's
diagnosis?
Where can I go to get a diagnosis?
Does it matter if my child is diagnosed
with a specific PDD as opposed to PDD NOS?
Will a diagnosis of PDD or Asperger's work
against my child in the future?
Who should I tell my child's diagnosis to?
Now that my child has been diagnosed,
what's next?
Frequently Asked
Questions About Autistic Behaviors
Is it autism or is my child being _____?
How do I handle my child with autism when
he _____?
Why do children with autism often display
these behaviors; compulsiveness, perfectionism, odd movements
and a need for organization?
What is different about my child's sensory
systems?
Is my child with autism being stubborn?
Why is Early Intervention important?
Frequently Asked
Questions About Sensory Difficulties
My 13 month old daughter was diagnosed
with this sensory integration dysfunction and is now receiving
PT, OT, and Speech Therapy (Speech Therapy is for her
oral-feeding difficulties as well as speech delay). I want to
know very honestly if a child like mine receives these therapies
early, what are the chances that she will be at normal
functioning level and not "slow" when she reaches school age?
I am interested in learning about Sensory
Integration dysfunction or disorder. My daughter (5 years old)
has something going on and we are in process of getting tests
and evaluations. A friend actually suggested SID as a
possibility. I am overwhelmed on the Internet. Many sites were
closed down or under construction. Do you have any information
you can mail me to learn about sensory integration?
I am trying to find out how to get a copy
of the federal law regarding education for the disabled child.
Do you know how I can obtain a copy?
How do I know if my child has problems
with sensory over-sensitivity?
What sights and sounds are most likely to
cause sensory overload or confusion?
Why does my child avoid certain foods or
always want to eat the same thing?
How do I toilet train my autistic child?
Why do some autistic children repeat back
what an adult has said or sing TV commercials?
How should educators and parents handle
autistic fixations on things such as trains or lines?
Frequently Asked
Questions About Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
So what is an ABA program?
What kind of progress can I expect?
I want my child to learn naturally, not
behaviorally. ABA looks so unnatural.
Doesn't he need to go to school and play
too?
What about diet, vitamins, and other
therapies? Isn't it more important to treat the underlying
cause?
Doesn't ABA lead to "robot-like" behavior?
Won't a mix of ABA and other good
approaches work best for my child?
Is ABA appropriate for older children?
Won't placing so many demands on my child
hurt our relationship?
Are there risks to using ABA?
Isn't the Lovaas method less than 50%
effective?
|