Your child isn’t What is Autism Spectrum

Disorder (ASD)?
Autism
alone, and neither
are you. ASD is a diverse developmental disorder,
Screening and
The QR codes below link to more
caused by atypical development in a child’s
brain. It can affect a child’s ability to learn
Support:
resources for education, health, and
access. Scan them with your mobile
social skills and communicate effectively. A Short Guide for
device’s camera app to follow them
Parents and
InsureKidsNow.gov
is a federal Prospective
resource that offers
pathways to
children’s medical
parents
insurance for low-
income families.
Take care of your
health too! The Children with ASD may:
Autism Society of
Texas offers • Have difficulty communicating their
support groups for feelings verbally or nonverbally
parents across the • Engage in repetitive behavior or
state speech.
• Have very specific interests
MyAutismTeam.com • Become bothered or overwhelmed
is a social network by some noises, lights, or textures.
for parents of kids
• Have trouble with fine motor skills. Kaitlin Prince
with autism, full of
people in your • Be nonverbal
University of North Texas: College of
corner! • Have a very advanced vocabulary
• Require different levels and types of
Education
support.
It can be hard to
explain ASD to
very young siblings ASD is NOT: Kids with ASD CAN:
and peers. This • The parents’ • Learn
video from Sesame fault • Grow
Street Studios, • A hopeless • Love
entitled “Meet • Succeed
cause
Julia”, can help.
 Education on Your Treatments and
Early Identification Child’s Terms Support
Your child’s medical and IEP teams will provide
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has genetic, treatments and interventions to reduce
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all
neurological, and developmental causes. Any schools are required to create symptoms that interfere with education and
child could show signs of ASD in early Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for functioning, but your child’s IEP team should also
development, regardless of diet or medications. students who need them. provide classroom supports.
Treatments and Supports may
You have the right to request interventions may include
support for your child with include • Sensory breaks
• Behavioral therapy • Communication
ASD, and to involve yourself in devices
programs
selecting that support. • Social skills • Ear defenders
education • Quiet corners
Different children will require different levels • Medication • Extra time on
of support based on their unique profiles. assignments
Your child’s IEP team should work with
A school’s primary goal should always be the
you to decide on educational goals, and wellbeing and education of the child. Children
necessary classroom supports. with autism have unique needs, and that’s okay!
Many can still succeed alongside peers without
autism if they have proper support. Advocate for
Your Role Will be to:
inclusive resources in your child’s school by talking
Intervention for ASD is possible at any age, to your child’s IEP team and contacting your local
• Communicate regularly with school board.
but it’s best to identify it early. Talk to your
your child’s IEP team.
child’s pediatrician about routine
preliminary screenings at your child’s • Provide the IEP team with data
routine wellness visits. on your child’s development
and improvement at home.
Very early signs may include • Tell the IEP team about your
child’s strengths and Evidence Based
• No smiles or joyful expression by 6
weaknesses. Practices (EBPs)
months
• No back-and-forth social communication • Advocate for your child and
EBPs are therapies and
or babbling by 12 months your learning priorities.
interventions that are
• No words by 16 months supported by a large
• No two-word phrases by 24 months. You know your child best, and amount of scientific
• Any loss of babbling speech or social you are a valuable resource for data in peer reviewed
skills and member of your child’s IEP studies, so we know
they work! Talk to your
team. child’s school about
Scan Here for more
including EBPs in your
information about
current EBPs child’s IEP.

Art credit (left to right): Getty,