By Shirley Blaier-Stein | March 12, 2011 at 02:17 PM EST |
5 comments
GPS for Autism Treatment
Being an autism parent means lots of things. Like planning ahead. I mean really. Everything. You never know what will work and what not so you have to be ready for everything. My friend Rena says you have to be like a chess player – plan three moves ahead. My friend Gretchen says you have to be like a colonel in a battle field, because you never know where the next grenade will come from.
The biggest thing for me with autism is figuring out the healing journey of treatments and therapies. There are so many things out there: From the mainstream speech and occupational therapy to horses, music and the million alternative therapies. There are so many different diets and supplements.
Many times we started something and it looked like it was working very well. But then it stopped. And then sometimes things get worse!
I wish there was a GPS for therapy. Something that would help me figure out in real time whether something is working and what to expect soon. Like if whatever we are doing right now is working the device will say “keep straight!” And if it is working but we have to change something soon it will say “in 800 yards, turn right!” If something is about to completely fail or get worse my GPS will say “turn around when possible!”
And once we have done everything possible known to man and it actually all worked, the device will say what all of us autism parents long to hear: “You Have Reached Your Destination!”
Wouldnt that be wonderful!! Love this Great Job Shirley! Xoxo
I can totally relate. We have been down so many roads. Some we have revisited and while others required a complete u-turn. Your magical gps system sounds awesome. Where can I get one? Until it is invented, we need to give each other guidance and support. Together, we will enjoy our trip much more and finally reach our desired destination!
Love your comment about a therapy GPS! Wish I had one of those! Much love!
Our GPS is always saying recalculating!! What do you do when you have a non verbal autistic 8 year old son that has his own GPS in his head? What I mean by this is when we are driving somewhere what do you do when you have to take a different route? Our son doesn't miss a beat if we do take a different route he has a melt down. He literally will bang his head on the car window. It can be quite difficult at times! But you can look at our son's GPS mind as a postive if you miss the exit he will let you know :).
Well said Shirley. It would be nice if there were a radar detector so we could avoid the insensitive people we occasionally run into while out in public.