We are our children’s biggest cheerleaders. We root for them, protect them, teach them, and advocate for them. All children need people who have their backs in school and life, but this is especially important for autistic children.
If your child is autistic, you might sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to access the best care and resources possible. The good news is that people want to help your child succeed. And better yet, those resources do exist—it’s just a matter of getting connected.
Karrie Veteto, Director of Autism and Behavior Services, and Jaylen Weir, Autism Resource Specialist, both work at Easterseals Crossroads in Indianapolis. They are passionate about helping individuals with disabilities and have compiled answers to questions that will hopefully help you feel better equipped to advocate for your child.
Related Article: How to Explain Autism to Children
Arm Yourself with Knowledge
To effectively advocate for your child’s needs, Veteto suggests first understanding your child’s disability. “The more parents understand, the more they will know what services are appropriate for their child and what their needs are,” she says. “This includes understanding your child’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Weir recommends that parents familiarize themselves with their child’s educational rights and the law. Additionally, it’s important to know who is involved in your child’s services and who to approach for assistance.
“You can achieve this by being involved and attending your child’s services and activities, as well as asking providers questions to better understand their goals for your child,” Weir says.
While this might seem overwhelming, especially if your child has multiple healthcare providers and specialists, Veteto and Weir emphasize the importance of finding an organizational system that works best for you. This might mean:
- Carrying a file with you to every appointment, containing important health, contact, and test information.
- Keeping notes on your phone with answers to frequently asked questions.
- Compiling a list of questions for upcoming appointments.
Related Article: Talking with Your Child About an Autism Diagnosis
Find the Right Resources
In addition to advocating for your child’s health, you’ll also want to learn how to access vital resources within your local community. This too can feel incredibly overwhelming. However, the people you are already working with or online platforms you may already be on can be excellent resources.
“Parents should start by asking their child’s primary care provider about local resources,” Veteto says. She also recommends looking for Facebook groups and online support groups to connect with, as well as the following organizations for support:
- Autism Inclusivity Facebook Group
- Indy Parents Special Needs Community Facebook Group
- Easterseals Crossroads: eastersealscrossroads.org
- Indiana Resource Center for Autism: iidc.indiana.edu/irca/index.html
- The Arc of Indiana: arcind.org
- Family and Social Services Administration: in.gov/fssa
Related Page | Sensory Friendly Events around Indianapolis
Advocate for Education
We all want our children to receive the best education possible. To help ensure that your child receives the education they deserve, Weir emphasizes the importance of learning your child’s educational rights.
“The more you know, the more questions you can ask and suggestions you can make to help develop an effective IEP [Individualized Education Plan] or 504 Plan,” Weir says.
This might include bringing advocates to your child’s IEP meetings. For more assistance with education, check out INSource at insource.org. It is always helpful to establish good communication with your child’s teachers and the school staff. You can also connect with others in the community to learn about the supportiveness of local districts.
Know You’re Not Alone
Advocating for your child can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, it is a journey you do not have to walk alone. There are other parents on similar journeys, medical professionals who want to see your child succeed, and organizations designed to help parents manage the challenges of advocating for their autistic children.
We all want our children to succeed, and it’s encouraging to know there are so many others who want the same and are there to offer help, support, and guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions and stand up for what you know is right. You know your child best, and you know what they need. Trust your instincts and move forward with confidence, knowing that you are the best advocate for your child. Their rights, education, inclusion, and health are always worth standing up for.
