Navigating Early Intervention for Autism: A Parent’s Guide
Receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for your child can be scary and overwhelming. Norfolk Autism Center was started by a family that received this diagnosis for their own child and decided to create the most collaborate and comprehensive treatment center available to kids ages 2-6. We know that early intervention created the best outcomes for kids on the spectrum, which is why we focus on this age-group exclusively. We also believe excellent care should be available to all who need it, so we accept a variety of insurance plans, including Medicaid.
Understanding Early Intervention
Early intervention is crucial for children with autism, as it provides support and services during a critical period of development for communication, social skills and behavior management. Early intervention helps you, the parent, build a strong foundation for your child’s future learning and success.
Benefits for Communication Skills
One of the primary goals of early intervention in communication is to enhance a child’s ability to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings, as well as to understand and interpret the communication of others. This includes developing skills such as verbal language, nonverbal communication (e.g., gestures, facial expressions), and social communication (e.g., turn-taking, initiating and maintaining conversations).
Early Intervention in Social Skills
One of the primary goals of early intervention in social skills is to help children with ASD develop the necessary skills to initiate and maintain social interactions, interpret social cues, and navigate social situations effectively. This includes understanding social norms, perspective-taking, sharing interests, and engaging in reciprocal communication.
Effect on Behavior Management Skills
One of the primary goals of early intervention in behavior management is to teach children with ASD alternative, more socially acceptable ways to express their needs, wants, and emotions, while also reducing the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviors. This includes teaching replacement behaviors, teaching coping strategies, and creating supportive environments that promote positive behavior.
We’re here to help!
Receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for your child can indeed be overwhelming. At Norfolk Autism Center, we understand this journey firsthand, as our center was founded by a family who received the same diagnosis for their own child. Determined to create a collaborative and comprehensive treatment center, we focus exclusively on children ages 2-6, knowing that early intervention yields the best outcomes for kids on the spectrum.
Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can help your family navigate an ASD diagnosis.
