autism


cont’d


Interventions for autistic children involve strategies to help develop language and social skills. “We work on getting them engaged, and intervene with their rituals,” explains DeRenzis. “For example, if a kid needs to have all the doors closed, the only intervention that has been found to be effec- tive is applied behavior analysis–you would leave the doors open and reinforce the child with something they like, such as a snack or toy.”


The mothers that I met at ARCH accept that they have a lifetime of challenges ahead of them. Raising a child with autism forces you to learn how to navigate the system to get what you need for your child, spend time and money for therapy and interventions, learn strategies to help the child navigate the world, and the patience to help siblings and other family members co-exist with their unique behaviors. “Families with autistic children are some of the most fl exible and laid back people you’ll meet,” says Stacy. “I know I am a better person for it.”


*Names have been changed to respect pri- vacy.


For further information visit LehighValleyMarketplace.com.


52 Early Fall 2011


Lehigh Valley Marketplace


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