Does Autism New Jersey specifically endorse any agencies or service providers? No, Autism New Jersey does not specifically endorse any agencies or service providers. Given the diversity of training experiences and clinical skills necessary for all methodologies, it is understandable that not all providers will adhere to best practices within a specific treatment. Treatment providers who are inadequately or poorly trained, do not stay abreast of the state-of-the- art techniques, or do not comply with standards of professional practice may place consumers in undesirable and harmful situations. These deficits in professionalism occur across all treatment methodologies. In order to determine the quality of both the methodology and the provider, consumers are encouraged to conduct thorough background checks to ensure that they are working with professionals who are practicing effectively and ethically. Parents and professionals must work together to develop the most appropriate and effective plan. What resources can be used to make informed decisions? Given the great value that is placed on a caregiver’s right to choose among a variety of interventions, Autism New Jersey provides detailed information on how to make wise choices. As previously mentioned, collaboration among parents and professionals is crucial. Autism New Jersey provides information on a variety of topics and the tools to help the caregiver evaluate programming.
What is the prognosis for someone with autism and why is there hope? There is considerable variation in the abilities of people with autism. Some individuals may need extensive, lifelong support to function in home, vocational, and community settings, while others may need intermittent support in fewer areas. While effective and early
Treatment is likely to have a substantial impact on the person's quality of life.
intervention can greatly improve an individual’s prognosis, as of now, there are no definitive markers to predict a person’s level of functioning decades ahead. Thus, early treatment must be sought to address current deficits and teach new skills; such skills are likely to have a substantial impact on the person’s ability to interact with others and his/her quality of life. Together, parents and professionals can provide effective treatment. The autism community continues to advocate for research to improve intervention strategies, identify methods of prevention, and possibly develop a cure. Autism New Jersey is committed to these goals on behalf of people affected by autism. Footnote 1. Psychoanalysis is a specific type of psychotherapy and should not be confused with other types of therapy such as family, cognitive-behavioral, or behavior therapy. Some of these therapies can be helpful and effective in treating a variety of problems that can occur in all families.
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