Ryan is a healthy, active two-year-old, but his parents are
concerned because he doesn’t seem to be doing things they expect him to do,
things that his older sister did at this age. He hasn’t started talking,
yet; although sometimes, he repeats, over and over, words that he hears
others say. He doesn’t really use words to communicate, though. It seems he
just enjoys the sounds of them. Ryan spends a lot of time playing by
himself. He has a few favorite toys, mostly cars, or anything with wheels on
it! And sometimes, he spins himself around as fast as he does the wheels on
his cars. Ryan’s parents are really concerned, since he’s started throwing a
tantrum whenever his routine has the smallest change. More and more, his
parents feel helpless, never knowing what might trigger Ryan’s next upset.
Often, it seems Ryan doesn’t notice or care if his family or
anyone else is around. His parents just don’t know how to reach their
little boy, who seems so rigid and far too set in his ways for his
tender young age. After talking with their family doctor, Ryan’s parents
call the Early Intervention office in their community and make an
appointment to have Ryan evaluated.
When the time comes, Ryan is seen by several professionals who play with
him, watch him, and ask his parents a lot of questions. When they’re all
done, Ryan is diagnosed with a form of autism. As painful as this is for his
parents to learn, the early intervention staff try to encourage them. By
getting an early diagnosis and beginning treatment, Ryan has the best chance
to grow and develop. Of course, there’s a long road ahead, but his parents
take comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone and they’re
getting Ryan the help he needs.
Tottot33... Ryan's story is just like my Daniel's story... Daniel was assessed just before he was turning 5 years old. (which is "late" by intervention standards, there are others who started when they were 3 years old)
And like Ryan... Daniel will repeat words, words that he pick up from TV adverts or TV shows...(they call it echolalia). He also loves cars and trucks... and he'll arrange them in a row and stare at them ...
Then came the tantrums... IT WAS BADDD !!!
Eventually with early intervention approaches when he was 5 years and 6 years, it prepared him for mainstream school when he was 7 years. Now at 8 years old, he is enrolled in a mainstream class BUT WITH LOTS of INVOLVEMENT of me and my wife in helping him follow the work... at school and at home...
Bottom line... YES, EARLY INTERVENTION HELPS !!!