The Challenges of Autism

Did the child babble by 12 months? Were they able to respond to their name by 12months? Does he/she avoid eye contact and want to be alone? Depending on the answers, this child might be autistic. Autism is a term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders. (Web Editors with Autism Speaks, 2005-2011). These disorders include significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. People who have Autism process information in their brain differently than others. (CDC&P, 2010). With early intervention and treatment, this child’s development will be greatly improved. Since the life of an Autistic child’s parent is always busy, they can use as much help and information as they can get. A life coach would be able to help this parent organize their busy schedule, which would help to better handle everything that an Autistic child needs to improve their development. By defining a course of treatment, establishing a schedule, and looking into the long-term results of early intervention, an Autistic child’s parents will be more likely to help the child’s development.

First and foremost, the child’s parents need to define a course of treatment. In order to give the Autistic child the best possible advantage in life, early intervention is very important. A life coach can help the parents find local resources to help with these interventions. Some of the things that are needed for the Autistic child are educational and behavioral interventions which are normally done by an Occupational, Physical, and/or Speech Therapist. They “…use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills…” “Doctors may also prescribe medications for treatment of speci...

... middle of paper ...

...utism Fact Sheet. Retrieved September 03, 2011, from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Picon, D. (2010). The Coaching Process. Retrieved September 04, 2011, from Your Autism Coach: http://www.yourautismcoach.com/10.html

Rudy, L. J. (2007, August 18). Is Early Intervention Important for Children with Autism? Retrieved September 04, 2011, from About.com: http://autism.about.com/od/childrenandautism/a/EIImportant.htm

The Youth Light Foundation®, Inc. (2011). Autistic Children Need Schedules. Retrieved September 04, 2011, from Youth Light Foundation: http://youthlightfoundation.com/articles/autism/autistic-children-need-schedules/

Web Editors with Autism Speaks. (2005-2011). What is Autism. Retrieved September 03, 2011, from Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/section/what-autism