Autism takes a heavy toll not just on those who live with the disorder but on their friends and family as well. As autism has become more understood and discussed in the past few years, a number of resources such as the National Autism Hotline have emerged to provide advice and assistance to people who care for those with autism.
Instructions
1. Make a prioritized list. There are probably more difficulties than you can think of when it comes to caring for someone with autism. From sudden outbursts of rage to accomplishing everyday "minor" tasks, there are many questions to ask. So, to get started make a list of the questions of issues you have in order of importance, beginning with the most important. This way you will be able to begin with clear, directed questions when you call the autism hotline.
2. Assemble your information. The best way to use the National Autism Hotline is by building a rapport with the person manning the hotline phone. Get together all the pertinent information about the person you're calling about. Be prepared to talk about the kind and severity of the autism and what behavior patterns and progress the person with autism exhibits.
3. Ask about legal rights and entitlements. A lot of the information you need to care for someone with autism comes from doctors and the surrounding autism caregivers. One thing that these caregivers and physicians generally cannot help with is legal advice. So, ask about what kind of benefits, such as focused assistance in school and funding for treatment, you are entitled to according to the federal and state governments.
4. Request other resources. One of the most important things to remember when using the National Autism Hotline is that it is one of the centers of a resource network. You should use the hotline to get information about other resources. So, ask where you can find help related to specific needs, such as autism support groups. If you nothing comes to mind, ask the representative about a good place to start for someone in your area and chances are that the hotline staff will point you in the right direction.
Tags: Autism Hotline, National Autism, National Autism Hotline, with autism, information about, most important