Blog 21: Exit Interview

1. My essential question is what is the best way to help an autistic child develop better social skills? My first answer is through early interventions which the parents and therapists work together to reach the child's individualized goals and decide which treatment works best for them. My second answer is through family support; autistic kids can receive the comfort and love needed in order to fulfill their goals and undergo all the treatments necessary. My third answer is becoming your own child's expert be very attentive towards their behavior at home and in public. My best answer is through early interventions because my other answers are completely dependent on the family whether or not the autistic child improves so it isn't very effective compared to early intervention programs involving professional therapists that have studied for years and are very knowledgeable in that field.
2. The process I took to arrive to my best answer was being informed by my mentor that early interventions are available for kids around 3 years of age and actually seeing a form of early intervention at the day care. I've seen Ariana (who is my mentor) use Applied Behavioral Analysis on Sergio when she teaches him how to MAND or request something politely. Another one I've seen is Occupational therapy which involves fine motor movements such as cutting with scissors, drawing, writing, etc. From then on I began doing research and I found on various websites that scientists have proven that early interventions actually improve a child's prognosis. 
3. I didn't really face any problems while choosing my best answer since it was pretty clear to me that professional help is in a way more effective than family help. Or to put it in another way it actually brings the family together to get professional help since they feel a sense of responsibility because everyday challenges come with caring for an autistic child. And how I explained, the other two answers focus on just family help and if the family doesn't do their part than it will affect the autistic child's development. 
4. The two most significant sources I used to help me answer my essential question was an article by L.E. Arnold called "Interventions & Treatment Options" and another article by Susan Stokes called "Effective Programming for Young Children with Autism (Ages 3-5)". Interventions & Treatment Options was very helpful because it gave a list of the type of early interventions that are most commonly used and have proven to be effective. Also states why it is better to treat your autistic child right away rather than waiting till they age. Effective Programming for Young Children with Autism was helpful as well because it was very detailed and when giving the goals and objectives of an autistic child and how hard it is to communicate in different situations such as playing toy cars with other kids (just social play in general).