They say it takes a village to raise a child. What I’ve learned is part of that village needs to include a “dream team” of experts to support your child with autism/ADHD and your family. Having a child on the spectrum and additionally with ADHD can be overwhelming and exhausting, yet it does have its rewards too. Learn how you can create a dream team for your child with autism and ADHD.
Determine needs and priorities
The first part of developing (or enhancing since you probably already have a certain number of experts you are working with to support your child already) your dream team is to determine needs and priorities. What does your family and your child need? Those can include:
- What medical treatment and services does your child need? How does that compare with the ones your child is already receiving?
- What support services does your child need that are available, but they are not already receiving? (For instance, would music or equine therapy really benefit your child but it’s not part of their activities yet? Is there a way to obtain additional services through a Medicaid autism waiver or other government or local assistance? Does your child know how to swim? Finding a great swim instructor may be needed.)
- Do you need respite care for your family?
- If you work outside the home, is your childcare provider adequate or do you need someone who is trained to work with kids on the spectrum? What about summer and holiday camps to provide care as well?
- What type of emotional support does your family need, including any siblings of your child with autism/ADHD?
- If your child has a Medicaid autism waiver, how happy are you with their case manager?
- What gaps are in your health coverage for your child and family? Is there local assistance available? (For example, you may have private health insurance through your or your spouse’s employer but still be able to obtain a Medicaid autism waiver for your child for additional services or be eligible for programs through local autism organizations.)
These are questions I’ve asked myself throughout the journey with my son J’s autism and ADHD. Applying for the Medicaid autism waiver in my state and receiving those additional benefits has really helped. For example, he has been able to participate in music therapy, and his music therapist is an important part of J’s dream team.
Who should be part of your child’s “dream team”
From your list of needs and priorities, determine who is already on your child’s dream team that support him. Maybe you already have a fabulous pediatrician, behavior therapist and speech therapist (from the school).
Then you need to decide where are the gaps in your child’s team. If you or your spouse is the primary full-time caregiver, you may conclude you need more respite care for your family. If so, you will need to identify a provider and can receive that through either an autism waiver or local autism group. You also know that your child will benefit from a summer camp. See if there is a local nonprofit that offers camps for children on the spectrum during summer and spring and holiday breaks.
How to find your dream team members
Once you know who should be on your dream team, you now have to find or replace the experts. For medical services, a good place to start is with your pediatrician. For example, if you know that your child would benefit from occupational therapy for their overly sensitive hearing or other challenges, your pediatrician can help you locate a therapist who would be a good fit for your child. Check out this article about finding a good therapist for your child if you need a behavior, applied behavior analysis (ABA) or other type of therapist.
For support services, work with your child’s case manager if your child has a Medicaid autism waiver. While they cannot recommend certain providers, you can ask them which providers their other clients have been happy with recently. If you don’t have a case manager, reach out to your local autism organization. In the United States, most states have a chapter of the Autism Society of America. They offer assistance with finding support providers.
Choosing dream team members
Once you’ve identified the gaps in your team, narrow down your list of potential providers. Then meet with them for an interview to determine if they will be a good fit for your child. Because you need to create a dream team for your child with autism, be selective with the members.
Working with your dream team
I have found it helpful to encourage members of J’s dream team to consult with each other when needed. His pediatrician at times consults with his behavior therapist or psychiatrist. His case manager consults with his music therapist. Of course, you will need to ensure you’ve completed all the necessary paperwork to make this happen, but it can result in better care for your child.
I also regularly communicate with his dream team members about changes for J (e.g., support services for him, changes at school, behavior challenges, etc.) and any changes in the “team.”
Don’t forget that family and friends can play an important role in supporting your child and family and should be considered part of the team as well.
By taking this approach, you can create a dream team for your child with autism/ADHD. It can make a big difference with the interventions needed and how much your family feels supported while raising your child.
