When a child is first given the Autism diagnosis they fall under an umbrella of labels. From mild to severe, a child can fall ANYWHERE in between. This is the reason why some of you may have heard stories of people you know who in comparison, cause confusion because they look or act nothing alike.
“I don’t get it….he doesn’t look anything like my friend’s son?”
“Really? You’re doing what kind of therapy? I don’t think my cousin’s doing that?”
It’s simple.
The reason why is because ASD (aka Autism SPECTRUM Disorder) affects every child differently. There isn’t a one size fits all therapeutic or medical intervention strategy either. Just like their diagnosis, their treatment is on the spectrum. There are a handful of ways out there to help these children which explains the information hoops parents have to jump through to get to the bottom of understanding exactly what they are. Once they decide on the program and treatment they want they have to find a provider who not only does it but, has room in their practice or program for an additional child. Once that’s established, the parents have to figure out how to pay for it? It’s a merry-go-round that never ends.
If a family is lucky to have caught the onset of Autism early, they can push forward with intensive “Early Intervention” but only until the age of 3. Once they pass 3 years of age they become the school districts responsibility and we all know how education is doing now. Especially in California. Even in the school setting, the spectrum of interventions, the view of the children effected by Autism are all still very different.
I know the parents of Aiden’s classmates see it. We have an Autism class right on our campus. They walk by everyday and I think they’re amazed at how Aiden looks and acts nothing like what they see.
So in the future, remember – Autism doesn’t always look like Rainman and it doesn’t always look the way you might think. I happen to be partial to Aiden’s good looks but he certainly doesn’t look like he has Autism doesn’t mean he doesn’t have neurological damage. Autistic children are the epitome of the cliché, “Never Judge A Book By It’s Cover.”
