Specialists that Work with Children with Autism

In their book, Quirky Kids, Perri Klass and Eileen Costello list the specialists that may be involved in working with an autistic child. Some of these are more on the diagnostic side and will recommend therapies that are carried out by other health professionals. Because of the wide range of problems that present in autistic children, many parents are overwhelmed at the number of doctors involved in their child’s care.

Doctors and Specialists who Diagnose Autism

When a child is diagnosed as being autistic, there are a number of doctors who may assess him and determine what type of help he needs:

• A psychologist evaluates a child’s intelligence and cognition.
• A school psychologist evaluates a child’s educational potential.
• A neuropsychologist specializes in processes of learning and thought. They test for things like the ability to sit still, to focus and to process information and organize thoughts.
• A pediatric neurologist specializes in the brain and nervous system. He examines a child and looks at muscle groups and the ability of nerves to register sensation. He also looks at reflexes, coordination and mental skills.
• A developmental and behavioral pediatrician specializes in behavior and development and often works to coordinate the results and recommendations of other specialists.
• A child psychiatrist assesses the child’s mind and how he thinks. He is normally more of an overseer and often works to coordinate medications and progress on a periodical basis.

Specialist Help for Physical Problems in Autistic Children

Physical problems and poor muscle tone are common in autistic children and there are therapists that can help them strengthen their abilities:

• Physical therapists work with large muscle groups and look at skills such as throwing a ball, sitting in a chair and walking up and down stairs.
• Occupational therapists concentrate on smaller muscle groups such as the hands and face. Poor handwriting is a common problem among autistic children and they may struggle to eat and tie shoe laces. Occupational therapists also work on sensory problems such as oversensitivity to clothing tags or difficulty with spinning and swinging.

Speech and Language Therapy for Children with Autism

Speech problems in autistic children come in many forms and degrees of severity. Difficulties may include stuttering and speech impediments. Other autistic children can speak but do not understand the flow and rhythm of speech. They may sound pedantic and stilted when engaging in conversation. A speech therapist works with any type of speech problem and can help an autistic child to sound more normal and use speech in an appropriate manner.

 

Autistic children are often seen by several specialists who have different skills. Some will diagnose his condition and pinpoint his weaknesses while others will work with the child to help him reach his full potential and overcome difficulties. While it may seem overwhelming, it is best to work with the recommended specialists and give the child the best chance at a successful future.

Reference:
Klass, Perri and Eileen Costello, Quirky Kids, Ballantine Books, Random House Publishing, 2003.

Asperger's Syndrome and Dogs

Some children with Asperger's syndrome do not like animals of any kind while others become very attached to a family pet, especially a dog. This may be due to the silent companionship a canine friend offers as well as the acceptance and loyalty. If you have a child on the autism spectrum, observe their behaviour towards pets and if it is positive, it may be worth letting them get a dog of their own. Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway is a sad but heartwarming story of how a dog helped a young boy with autism. For more information on what breed of dogs are most helpful for autistic children, click here.