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- 1. VIRGINIA RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Amanda Bryson, EDU 270
- 2. TYPICAL FAMILY NEEDS ➤Financial Support ➤Respite Care ➤Information/Training ➤Medical Services ➤Therapeutic Resources
- 3. FINANCIAL SUPPORT ➤ The Autism Consortium has compiled a list of grant opportunities available to families dealing with autism. ➤ Families can apply for financial assistance through one of the grant programs: http://www.autismconsortium.org/families/raising-a-child- with-asd/#grants ➤ Families can determine if they are eligible for autism benefits through their insurance program here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/insurancelink/navigator
- 4. RESPITE CARE ➤ McLean Bible Church—Saturday care for children age 2-25 who are living at home (Arlington, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince William, Tyson’s Corner) ➤ https://www.mcleanbible.org/connect/breakaway ➤ Park Valley Church, Haymarket—Sunday mornings and a week- long retreat for families ➤ http://www.parkvalleychurch.com/openarms
- 5. PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION ➤ Parents need training in how to raise their child with autism, as well as how to provide therapeutic support. Parents can browse these resources to find what they need nearby. ➤ List of parent training organizations in Virginia: https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide/by- state/121/Parent%20Training/VA ➤ Family-centered services information: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/topics/family-centered- services/
- 6. MEDICAL SERVICES ➤ Children with autism often need medical treatment for a variety of associated conditions. Parents can find a medical specialist through the Autism Treatment Network: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/resources- programs/autism-treatment-network ➤ Parents can also ask for help navigating these services by calling the Autism Response Team (ART) at 888-AUTISM 2 (288-4762).
- 7. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES ➤ First, a family must educate themselves regarding the range of available services. Then, the family must determine the type and amount of therapy they will pursue. Applied Behavior Analysis is the most popular and well-established of the available therapies. ➤ Autism Speaks provides a comprehensive list of therapeutic providers by state. Here is a list of providers in Virginia: https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide/by- state/106/Applied%20Behavior%20Analysis%20%28ABA%29/ va
- 8. NEEDS AND RESOURCES ➤ Families dealing with autism have many needs ➤ There are many resources available to meet these needs ➤ Families should reach out for assistance as much as possible ➤ Educators and other professionals should proactively gather and share resources with families to ensure better outcomes for students and their families
Editor's Notes
- I chose to focus on Virginia and specifically Northern Virginia for this presentation because each family is going to have to pursue local resources for many different needs. As the family begins to connect with providers, professionals and other families in their local area, they will form a network of support that will improve outcomes for the student.
- This is, of course, not an exhaustive list, but the needs here are going to be best served by resources provided by a professional educator. Every educator should be equipped with lists of resources available to parents. Educators need to not simply hand a list of websites to parents, but be able to discuss how each resource can be used and where the parents should get started. Many parents are in shock and overwhelmed when they receive the diagnosis and may need substantial help in beginning the process of identifying and taking advantage of resources available to them.
- Autism treatments can be extremely expensive. Two of the best ways for families to experience some financial relief is through a grant or through their own insurance company. Families may not even be aware of these two possible sources of financial support. Educators should address this issue proactively instead of waiting for a family to bring up the issue, because parents may be hesitant to mention this need. However, financial stress puts a major burden on the family, and alleviating the pressure can greatly improve the family environment for everyone, including siblings, who often suffer when parents experience extreme levels of stress.
- There are several options for respite care, but many of the no-charge options are offered by churches and faith-based organizations. These two organizations are reputable and well-established with trained leaders and volunteers. Without extended family support or financial means, these resources might be exactly what the family needs. McLean Bible Church also offers Jill’s House, a residential facility that offers overnight respite care. www.jillshouse.org
- Many parents must start at the beginning when they receive a diagnosis to educate themselves about the disorder and the interventions that can support their student. After a few years, a proactive parent can be as knowledgable as an expert! This is an area where parents should be encouraged to read reputable research, browse websites like autismspeaks.org, and check out books from the library. I would call this the “Self-Education” phase, followed by determining what advanced training programs might help the family based on their individual student and family needs.
- Some parents will not have the time or ability to search for their own medical providers. They should seek out a developmental pediatrician immediately in order to receive specialized diagnostic and treatment support. They can use the Autism Treatment Network to find a provider that meets their needs. If this is too overwhelming, they can call the Autism Response Team and a friendly staff member will help them navigate the process.
- Finally, once the family has some financial support, some respite care support (so they can rest!), some training and education about their child, and a good medical support team, it’s time to determine what therapies will best support their student. These resources will need to be specifically tailored to their student, however, many families dealing with autism have found success with Applied Behavior Analysis. Regardless of the type of therapy (speech/language, occupational, sensory-based therapy, etc.), the family will need to find a local, reputable provider.
- In conclusion, it is important for educators to be encouraging and informative when helping a family navigate life with autism. It is crucial that the educator be well-informed about all the resources available so he/she can help equip the family to serve their student together as a team.