The Worst Autism Therapy Mistakes to Avoid
Autism parents often live in fear that they might be making a mistake in their child’s therapy and affecting progress. Unfortunately, these fears are real because many parents unwillingly make errors as they try to help their children. However, you can learn from others and avoid some of the worst autism therapy mistakes.
Stopping Therapy Too Soon
Autism therapy takes time to see results, but some parents stop it too soon because of unrealistic expectations. They want to see immediate results. However, each child responds differently to therapy and may need months or years of outside help to make progress. Although some parents have learned not to compare their autistic children to others, they often forget this advice during therapy. If they see Jamie who used to be nonverbal is doing better than their son, then they get discouraged. It is important to stay with the therapy sessions for the recommended amount of time.
Thinking Therapy is a Cure
There is no official cure for autism, but many parents believe therapy can provide one. This puts an unnecessary burden on the children, therapists and entire family. Therapy can help in many cases, but it cannot make autism go away completely. It is too easy to become disappointed with the results, so lower your expectations ahead of time.
Doing Too Many Different Therapy Sessions
The urge to see children get better forces some parents to lose their reason and enroll them in multiple therapy groups with different providers. However, this can lead to exhaustion, scheduling problems and wasted money. In addition, it makes evaluating the results difficult because there are too many things going on at the same time. It is important to listen to your doctor’s advice and only schedule the necessary amount of therapy instead of filling the schedule every day with hours of work for your child.
Lana Bandoim is a freelance writer and editor. Her work has been published on websites ranging from Yahoo! News to Technorati.
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I will tell this to many people so they are informed and help others, and more important help people that have autism or kids with autism. Thanksss!!!
Great advice! I used to work in the Healthcare field as well as a detox center and my nephew is autistic. I saw much of what you described first hand. My nephew has healed (not fully healed but many people would never guess he is autistic now) from doing many therapies so don’t give up!
No we don’t give up…any therapy that gives an inch of help is progress for the health of the child. Our grandson continues in therapy, and has made such huge progress over the last year. I think catching it early and starting treatment early may be a huge help. If something isn’t quite right parents think well it’s just a phase. But if it goes on longer than a year get it checked out…no matter what, if someone who is very close to the child thinks something isn’t right…no harm to check it out.
This is very good advice for parents of autisic children. I think everyone does thisctginking it is a quick fix but it takes time.
Thanks Judy Maharrey, no one wants to think their child can’t be fixed. Autism has no cure…but with therapies and continued help they can become so much more interactive.
God bless you for trying everything and anything to helps your child, that’s what a mama bear needs to do. My son and I both have chronic Lyme disease and I know what it is like to stop therapies too soon, to expect a cure and trying to do too many protocols at once. It’s all very complicated and if one or both of us are having neurological symptoms while we’re trying to figure out the best approach….forget it. Good luck treating your child.
I’m a grandma bear Trish F. This is so near and dear to my heart. I’m so sorry to hear both you and your son have Lyme Disease. Don’t give up trying approaches yourselves. I think we each have to be our own advocate these days. Good luck to you.
I have a son that is autistic and even though he is verbal and high functioning there are times when I make mistakes and sometimes no matter what there is a major meltdown. I think that sometimes there is no getting around them but sometimes it is how we deal with a situation that cases them. I try and do my best to review and change something if it is needed.
Those of us who have an autistic child in our lives can second guess what we do…We all try to do what is best for the child but each child is different and each day is too. Your son is so lucky to have you be so in tune to his needs!
I can imagine that doing any of these things could set a child back. With or without autism. I guess that same goes for adults. I think the last one especially applies to children with autism though. I know very little about it but am interested in the topic.
Yes Jennifer it does apply I think to our overly stimulating society, but for Autistic children stimulation is one thing that has to be controlled and kept to a minimum.