How to Advocate for Your Child with Autism

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HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD WITH AUTISM
www.aleebh.com
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INTRODUCTION
A parent will always be their childs biggest
advocate. However, when your child is diagnosed
with autism or a related disorder, your advocacy
becomes all the more important.
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There are many reasons why autism advocacy is
important. It can help to break down harmful
stereotypes, challenge misinformation, and
perhaps most crucially, build a more welcoming
and inclusive world for neurodiverse
individuals. Furthermore, it can also help to
raise awareness about autism and related
disorders, which can increase acceptance and
increase the amount of funding autism charities
and research receive.
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Advocating for your child often begins at home.
Start by doing your research into autism,
ensuring that all information is gathered from
reputable sources. The more you understand the
condition, the easier it will be to support your
child throughout every stage of their life. If
you have neurotypical children at home, take the
time to explain autism to them, too. They may
have already noticed that their sibling acts
slightly differently to them, but without having
a concrete reason why, they may not know how to
respond.
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According to a recent study, few children have
received an autism diagnosis before starting
school. In fact, 28 of students do not receive
a formal autism diagnosis until they are
teenagers. As a result, you must keep your
childs teacher up to date, whether youre
considering looking into autism testing or have
received a formal diagnosis. This can ensure
that they put the proper provisions in place to
support your child in the classroom, whether this
means designing a sensory-friendly classroom or
sticking to a clear routine each day.
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Many people view an autism diagnosis as
something inherently negative when it just means
that your child sees the world in a slightly
different way. As such, you should work to
encounter this negative whenever you come across
it. While speaking out can be hard, it shows
your child that they should be proud of who they
are and helps to break down some of the more
persistent stereotypes relating to ASD. You
should also encourage your child to find their
voice and speak up for themselves.
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Therapy can play a key role in the life of a
child with autism or a related disorder, helping
them to develop the skills they need to thrive
in any environment. Remaining actively engaged in
their therapy, such as by attending sessions
together or going over what theyve learned each
week, is another great way to support and
advocate for your child. After all, it means
that you are taking active strides toward making
their day-to-day life a little easier. If youd
like to find out more about autism therapy,
including speech therapy and ABA (Applied
Behavioral Analysis) therapy, please do not
hesitate to get in touch today.
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CONTACT US
Cranston, Rhode Island, United States 401-228-830
3 www.aleebh.com office_at_aleebh.com