Individual Education Plan and the Autistic Child

¶ … special needs child, I understand what it means to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) and to need a routine break from care. My relative has autism. Before this diagnosis was made, we were all wondering -- including parents and teachers -- what could be done to help Alex succeed and to assist his parents in their full-time load of caring for Alex. Part of the problem, we realized, was that we did not really know what was wrong with him.

Was it behavioral? Psychological? Genetic? It was a very stressful time in our lives as we attempted to figure out how to help Alex and his parents; we wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to grow and develop like a "normal" child. It was important that we all figure this out before everyone had a breakdown. When the diagnosis of autism came, it was both a relief and a moment of new concerns and fears.

It was comforting because, at last, now we had a concrete explanation for Alex's condition. It was hard, however, at the same time because no one knew -- none of us at least -- how to cope, how to treat, or how to deal with his condition. Even the mention of school was enough to cause us fret to no end. Yet we need not have worried so much about school after all.

We found that the school system where Alex was sent had in place an IEP -- the purpose of which was to help students just like Alex. This was an even greater relief than the news of the diagnosis. Maybe Alex would be able to have a normal, functioning life after all. Maybe there would be a way to reach him, help him, and develop in him the skills to grow properly. Still, it was difficult, and the road was not without bumps.

For one thing, caring for an autistic child can be overwhelming at times -- and exhausting. We discussed with my relatives the issue of respite care, but they were sensitive about having a special caregiver come into the home to watch Alex. They felt they would be shoving their responsibility on to someone else.

We urged them to try it -- convincing them finally that everyone needs a break, and that respite care was designed to give parents exactly that break that they needed so that they can come back to the job rejuvenated and refreshed, ready to pick up where they left. It took some work, but eventually my relatives agreed they would do it; they had reached the end of their rope, after all.

What a big change! With respite care, respite for the parents of Alex truly arrived -- they were able to relax, take time for themselves, and come back to Alex later with renewed energy and spirits. The respite care provider even offered tips and pointers that could help them along the way. It truly was a wonderful situation. Thus, with the IEP and the onset of respite care, we could see more clearly the.