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| Finding A Doctor Who
Understands Autism |
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By
Rachel
Evans
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Even
if bedwetting isn’t a challenge for you, finding a doctor who
understands autism may be an obstacle you’ll need to
overcome. Why? Unless a doctor has had experience with autism, it will
be unlikely that they will be able to help effectively diagnose and
treat the condition. Autism is not a simple pervasive development
disorder that can be fixed with medication or a few trips to the
psychiatrist. It is a serious disorder that affects people differently,
making each case specific to the individual.
Therefore, regardless if you or your child’s pediatrician
suspects autism, it is imperative to your child and their future that
they are referred to someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating
autism spectrum disorders. This means your child may require more than
one medical professional who specializes in autism.
The following is a list of medical professionals that might make up the
multidisciplinary assessment team an autistic child requires:
• Child psychiatrist – Can help determine the
initial diagnosis, prescribes medications, and helps an autistic deal
with social relationships and developing emotional behavior.
• Clinical psychologist – Specialist who understands
the impact and nature of autism and other development disability
disorders. They may conduct a psychological assessment test and assist
with the training of social skills and modifying behavior.
• Development pediatrician – treats children with
health problems related to handicaps or delays in development.
• Language/speech therapist – Helps to improve
communication skills, focusing on language and speech.
• Occupational therapist – Focuses on helping those
with disabilities develop daily practical and self-help skills such as
eating and getting dressed. They may also focus on fine motor skills,
sensory integration and coordination of movement.
• Physical therapist – Helps a child improve their
coordination and motor skills by strengthening muscles, joints, nerves
and bones
• Social Worker – Can help arrange treatments and
services and can provide counseling services.
Once you find the professionals your child needs, it is imperative that
you work closely with them. The reason is because although
professionals have experience with autism, you are the most experienced
when it comes to the specific information regarding your
child’s needs and abilities.
To effectively work together with professionals you need to:
• Educate yourself – Learn as much as you can about
autism
• Prepare yourself- Write down any questions or concerns you
have regarding your child, autism or treatment and address them with
the professional(s)
• Open communication – You don’t have to
agree with everything a professional says. If you disagree with a
recommendation voice your opinion.
If you are unsure where you can find the right professionals that
specialize in autism, the following are some helpful suggestions:
• In your community – Visit your health care
provider, hospital, or pharmacist and ask them if they know anyone who
specializes in diagnosing and treating autism. You can also contact
your government’s health department. Just remember, even if
you are referred to someone, this may not be the specialist you are
looking for. Don’t be afraid to find out their experience
before making a commitment.
• Internet resources – The internet is a fantastic
resourced and has plenty of useful and helpful information about
autism, understanding and effectively helping autistics, and how to get
help in your community. Some excellent websites you can check out
include:
o Autism
Society of America (http://autism-society.org)
o Autism
Treatment Services of Canada (autisim.ca)
o National
Autistic Society (http://nas.org.uk)
o http://AutisimHelpForYou.com
o http://Autistics.org
• Support group – Getting involved in a support
group that is designed to reach out to autistics and their families can
be extremely helpful for finding a professional, as you can ask fellow
members for recommendations. Support groups also provide you with
encouragement when times are tough, and allow you the opportunity to
discuss autism with others who know what you are experiencing.
For more help and advice regarding autism
treatment or subscribe to a free newsletter on the autism
resources site.
Article Source: ArticleCube.com
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