As I mentioned in my earlier blog, I am currently enrolled in a graduate program and working on my master's in special education with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders. I love learning and sharing and my blog is just the place to that.
I reviewed www.firstsigns.org
for my autism website review assignment. The primary goal of this website is to educate
parents and professionals about autism and related disorders because of the
rise of developmental disorders and the need for early detection. The target audiences include parents, early childhood educators, and health care professionals. The importance of early detection is
imperative to this audience so that early intervention can begin as soon as
possible due to its incredibly positive effect on the quality of life for the
child and caregivers.
An important aspect
of any website is easy navigation. The website includes tabs that direct the
target audience to screening, diagnoses, treatments, and concerns about a
child. I believe these are all areas we want to run to for answers when
anything seems “not exactly right.”
Websites have so much information on anything and everything. It has a
nice way to narrow down what you are looking for within tabs and then further are other areas of concern a parent or
caregiver might need. I really liked the tab on “concerns about a child” which gives a milestone checklist to refer to as
well as a “red flag” checklist. All of
these can be printed prior to going to a pediatric visit for a concerned parent
and it can be brought to the physician’s attention. Establishing an open
communication between a parent/caregiver and the physician or teacher seems to
be easier if everyone is looking at the same thing. The website encourages parents to trust their
instincts and if they feel something is not right to talk to a professional about
it. It is not overwhelming since it is laid out in outline form. Anyone can
find the information needed easily and then go back to it as needed.
Another
great part of the website is the ASD video glossary. You have to register to use it, but it gives
the view a look at some of the commonly used treatments and interventions in
action. The glossary of terms takes the
viewer to over 200 terms that help the caregiver, parent, teacher, health care
provider, etc. visually see the sometimes subtle differences in typical and
delayed development of young children. It is a nice way to privately look at concerns
and view the behaviors and concerns in
action. Sometimes new parents have no
other children to compare typical development to and this is a great way to do
it.
If
I was a parent of two year old who was exhibiting little to no communication or
social interaction, the website does
provide information on what to when going to your child’s provider. However, it was not the easiest part of the
website. There is a broad list of websites
that can take you many places but some would seem a little more overwhelming as
far as a direct action after the doctor. As with any website, everyone needs to
air on the side of caution as it is hard to filter out what is true and what is
solid correct information. It seems it would always be best to seek the advice
of the child’s physician after looking at what milestones are delayed and
together decide the next step to take.
Overall,
I found the website very informative. It is a great place to start when anyone
working with a child has any concerns about typical development versus delayed
development. It gives caregivers, parents, teachers, and health care providers
a better understanding of autism
spectrum disorders in infants and children.
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