Early Intervention Ends... then what?

[Amber_K]

By Nicole Mytels

It’s commonly known that early intervention can make a world of difference for kids with autism. But when is an early intervention over? Is it when a child reaches age 3? Or is early intervention over at age 5 when the “plasticity” of the brain supposedly decreases?

Equally important: how are we supposed to feel when early intervention is over?

As a parent, I really felt a sense of frantic urgency that time was running out and that it was a race against the clock to cram as much into my child’s brain as I could before it “hardened up.”


I wondered if I would feel a sense of dread and failure as my child celebrated his successive birthdays. Would I ask myself, “Is it too late? Did I focus on the wrong programs, the wrong treatments?”


I’ve talked with a few other parents who say their children have made the most progress and the greatest gains at older ages like 7, 8, and 9 and later. It seems to me that the early intervention merely sets the stage for future growth. At least, that’s what I want to believe.


Part of me is afraid that the gains that my son will make after age 5 will somehow not be as secure, and if they are not constantly reinforced he might revert back to lower skill levels.


So, I want to hear from parents whose kids have really blossomed past “early intervention” and made surprising, amazing strides. Tell us your success stories. Inspire us.

[Maureen Haut]

Inspiration is what you need inspiration is what you will get. I have been there feeling the same way as you have fear, worry, anxiety, hopeless wanting my kids to stay in early intervention forever? My teens have blossomed as beautiful tulips that grow stronger more beautiful every Spring. They have blossomed beyond early intervetion when I could not see their future's. I remember the doctors telling me nothing about my childrens future? What to expect? What not to expect? What will life be like? Questions, fears such as will they read, will they talk, will they be able to write, help themselves, get along with others, always be sensitive to touch, sounds, smells or whatever? The list would be endless, however I am happy to say I have survived still married with a 17 & 18 yr. old and they are high funtioning, semi-independent, smart individuals who have gone beyond early intervention. They are generally happy normal teens. Whatever normalcy is? Yes, there will always be learing disabilities, social issues, impulsitivity but every day they grow mentally as well as physically which shows amazing progress. O.T., P.T.,S\SPEECH, SOCIAL STORIES, EASTER SEALS, THERAPIST, GOOD PARENTING will help your child blossom!!! Take it one day at a time...... Don't forget we never thought our son would walk, talk whatever and right now he is mowing the lawn!

[Amber_K]

So True!