All About the Journey FAQs

ASD is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.

The effects of ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person. There are three different levels in ASD.

• Level 1- usually known as mild - requires support, children here have difficulty initiating social interaction, problems with organizational skills, and problems planning are seen at this level.
• Level 2- also known as moderate - children here often require substantial support, their social interactions are narrowed to specific interests, and you will see frequent restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
• Level 3 - or severe - require very substantial support – children here have severe issues with verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and they show great distress or difficulty in changing actions or focus.

YES – we often see children with ASD also have other developmental deficits.

Each child with ASD is similar but different. Some may show delays in social, learning or language skills, but they will have motor skills similar to their typical peers.  Puzzles and brainteasers might be simple but forming friends or having conversations is very difficult.  Some can master difficult skills yet struggle with a simple task.

YES – Every ASD child tends to suffer from some sort of language or communication deficits.  While some children can speak well, some of them can barely speak or not at all.

NO – many can recover their speech or find other ways in which to communicate.  Our goal is to help find that in them and strengthen those skills.

This is where we say trust your parental “gut”.  If you feel that there is something off with your child, talk to your pediatrician immediately.  Be specific about your concerns.  Your pediatrician sees hundreds of children a year had has been trained to notice and have basic milestones to guide them.

No, we cannot diagnose you child but can make recommendations to where you can go for help. First start with your pediatrician – they will recommend you to either a developmental pediatrician or to a pediatric neurologist for diagnosis.

You can also ask us, see Autism Speaks, your school, or other ASD parents for recommendations of who they like and use. Please be aware that there is typically a 6-month waiting list for these professionals, so if you suspect something isn’t quite right, please speak to your pediatrician early.

It can never hurt to get more than one opinion for your child’s well-being.  However, keep in mind that it is very important to start therapy treatment as early as possible. Consequently, we suggest you start with therapy while you are waiting to get a second opinion. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can only be covered by insurance WITH a diagnosis.

There are a variety of medications that are given to children with ASD to help manipulate the child’s behavior in different ways.  Whether this will help your child or not can only be measured on a case-by-case basis and only under a medical professional’s care.

It is imperative that if you are giving your child medicine or change their medications, you let our professional know immediately so that we can collect data for your medical doctor and can watch for signs of side effects.

No. However, it is possible to reduce the symptoms so that it is virtually unrecognizable. Some call this “recovery.”

This is a question that has a large amount of controversy.  Many parents have shared their anecdotal stories who have developmentally “normal” children change after receiving a vaccine.  However, as of March 2014, there have been no definitive medical studies showing that vaccines cause autism.  If you are asking us, then you are in the wrong place as we are not vaccine experts.  All we can share with you are proven strategies to help your child be the best version of themselves they can.

Yes, statistically they are four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls.  However, they are finding that girls are becoming more recognized as they are older.  Each child is unique, and you know your child best.

We guess that starts with what your definition of “normal” is. Our goal is to help our children become the best “them” they can be. We strive to see each of our children become an independent and productive member of society.

Because each child is different, all goals will be individualized.

A BCBA is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

They are licensed mental health professionals who apply the specific principals of behaviorism to people with behavior disorders in order to stop maladaptive behaviors. They study the environment in relation to their client’s behavior, they attempt to find the function, and then they find the most suitable and appropriate modification.

Our BCBA’s use Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), which is a scientifically backed program that can teach appropriate behavior like communication and life skills.

The ABA principle assumes that children repeat behaviors that are reinforced and are unlikely to continue behavior that isn’t reinforced. We break down larger more complex skills into smaller steps, thus our children have success! We track their success using evidence-based practices so you can see the positive change of skills and behaviors. We teach you to focus on the trees instead of the forest.

Here are the three most important things.

1) Always BY HONEST.  We can only help your child if we have ALL the correct information.

2) FOLLOW THROUGH. YOUR follow through is KEY to your child’s success.  CONSISTENCY is the KEY to SUCCESS!

3) COMMUNICATE. It is so important that you have open discussions with your BCBA and home office.  If something isn’t working, or if you want something else, you need to discuss it with us.  We are good but we are NOT mind readers.

At All About the Journey, they sure don’t!  We remember that each child is still just that – A CHILD! We make learning fun! Through structured learning and play, we are able to maximize their learning and hit their individual targeted goals while the children interact with their peers and our staff.  Everything we do comes from our hearts and our love for these children, and they know it!

Yes, because research has shown children with autism are more successful in this environment – especially when they have the opportunity to interact with typical peers. Children learn from each other as well as adults