Sharing the Autism Journey: One Mom's Story of Sending Her Son to a Residential Home
Sending Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder to a Specialty Boarding School
If you're navigating the complexities of autism, you understand that every journey is unique. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, and what works for one family may not work for another. In our case, our journey took a surprising turn - sending our son to a residential home for special needs. Here's the story of one mom's choice:
Living with Autism: A Different Path
When our son, a lively 14-year-old, isn't engrossed in toy cars or motorcycles, he requires help with daily tasks that most teenagers handle effortlessly. His speech is like a kindergartener's, and his independence is limited compared to his age peers. Despite being on the "higher functioning" end of the autism spectrum, he has significant special needs.
The Early Years
From the moment our son was born, we knew he faced unique challenges. He had inhaled meconium, causing oxygen deprivation, though doctors worked tirelessly to provide him with as much oxygen as possible. While he can learn and grow, he still has significant special needs that require continuous support.
In the early stages, our son showed signs of having a disability, appearing fussy as a newborn and needing more time to sort nights and days. He smiled and held onto toys, but he didn't interact like the average baby. Walking at 14 months and speaking a few words by age 2 were positive milestones, but we knew there was more to address.
The Struggle with Autism
Our son started ABA sessions at a young age due to concerns from daycare workers, which were costly yet helpful in improving his behavior and reducing tantrums. However, as he grew older, more significant issues came to the forefront - language skills remained poor, he developed unhealthy fixations, and cooperating with therapists became difficult.
Despite his verbal abilities, my son still required full-time care and assistance. The strain became unbearable. We felt stuck in a cycle of stress and hopelessness.
Hope in the Darkest Moments
When we heard about a residential school dedicated to helping children like our son, our spirits lifted. This institution provided the structure, education, and support that my son desperately needed. Seeing other children who struggled more than him blossom gave us hope for my son's future.
Making the Decision
Placing our son in a residential home was a difficult decision full of emotional turmoil. We knew there would be challenges, but we also understood that his chances of living a fulfilling, independent life depended on finding an environment tailored to his unique needs.
After a full psychological assessment, we finally made the decision for our son to attend the residential school in September 2017, at the age of 13. Since then, we've seen him flourish, with improved communication skills, increased independence, and fostered friendships.
Standing Up for Caregivers
If you're the parent of a child with special needs, remember that you're not alone. Pursuing your own needs is not a sign of selfishness; rather, it equips you to better care for your child and provide them with the best care possible.
Take a moment to recognize that you deserve support as well. Prioritize self-care, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Your child deserves nothing less.
The enrichment data above provides insight into specialized support for children with autism in residential schools, fostering academic progress, social interaction, emotional well-being, and life skills development, while ensuring careful consideration of the child’s unique needs, readiness for residential living, and the quality of the school’s programs is essential.
- Navigating autism often involves dealing with various mental health challenges and neurological disorders, as a child's journey can be unique and complex.
- In some cases, scientific interventions, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), can be beneficial in improving self-development and learning for children with autism, particularly in managing behavior and reducing tantrums.
- Education and self-development are crucial aspects for children with autism, and they may require specialized schools to foster academic progress, social interaction, and personal growth, catering to their unique needs.
- Pursuing one's own education, self-care, and support in dealing with the stress and emotional challenges of caring for a child with autism is essential for caregivers, ensuring that they are better equipped to offer their child the best care possible and contribute to their personal growth.
