My Autism Specialist

My Autism Specialist

I am the father of a child with autism.

For the first 12 years of his life, I can honestly say that I didn’t understand him.  I didn’t understand why he did what he did and why he would act or react in such an “odd” manner.

However, in June of 2009 our lives changed forever.  We were blessed to have a very special person enter our lives, someone to whom I will refer as “My Autism Specialist”.  To protect her anonymity, we will call her Joy, which is nothing less than she has brought to us.

Joy has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Autism.  She is Board-Certified in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  She is the Behavior Specialist for a 6-school district and is the district’s trainer for Applied Behavior Analysis and discrete trials.  She has been working with children with autism for over 14 years.

Since that fateful date in June 2009, she has given to me dozens of strategies and informative articles, she has recommended many books and has worked with me in helping to develop my relationship with my son.

Today, my relationship with my son is almost unrecognizable from just 18 short months ago.  Now, I have a far better grasp on his attitudes and behaviors and am better able to predict his reactions so that I can make adjustments to avoid outbursts, tantrums and insubordination.  When these events do occur – and they still do! – I am able to understand why and I am better equipped as to how to fix them.

The impact of My Autism Specialist on my son and me has been so profound that I am compelled to start this blog as a means to pass this information along to other parents of children with autism.  Some of the information may help, and some may not.

If nothing else, I hope to be able to provide hope to parents who feel that they have lost theirs.

I welcome comments, questions and stories of your or your child’s own personal triumphs.  You can use myautismspecialist@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading.