McKay School of Education > News > Professor Tina Dyches Publishes Work on Autism, Joins Editorial Board
Professor Tina Dyches Publishes Work on Autism, Joins Editorial Board
When they are first told that their child may have autism, many parents are confused and seek information and help. A number of them call those who are knowledgeable about their child’s potential affliction: BYU faculty in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education. Tina Dyches, a professor of special education with a passion for studying autism and helping children and families affected by it, receives many such calls from parents.
“Many don’t know where to get help and are at a loss for what to do,” Dyches explained. “But our department doesn’t provide direct services; we provide teacher training. So when parents call me, I give them directions as to where they can get more information.” As more and more children are being diagnosed with autism, calls have become more and more frequent.
Noting the need for a standard source of information for parents, Dyches teamed up with Leann Whiffen of the Autism Council of Utah to create a comprehensive instructional pamphlet to answer parents’ questions. The finished product, “Autism Fast Start Checklist,” contains a checklist of suggestions for parents to consider in making plans for their child.
“I investigated the Internet, private organizations, and government services available for families with newly-diagnosed children with autism,” Dyches explained. She further compiled the information on a Web site, where parents can seek specific help for obtaining evaluations and services. At this site, parents are guided to specific resources for their school district and city.
Dyches emphasized that autism is treatable, and many children can benefit from treatment to the point that they are no longer considered autistic. “There is no question that children can become higher functioning—even to the point of losing the diagnosis after intensive, early intervention,” Dyches said. She explained that a delay in diagnosis could cause parents to lose time needed to treat their child—time that could be very beneficial. “The earlier the better,” Dyches said regarding treatment.
The pamphlet will be available to parents who have questions and to doctors who want to give it to patients. “We believe this will be very helpful for parents in that situation, as well as people in the offices where the pamphlet will be distributed,” Dyches concluded. The pamphlets will provide needed information for families, church leaders, school professionals, and family friends.
In addition to her recent work with the “Autism Fast Start Checklist,” Dyches has recently been selected as a member of the editorial review board for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, one of the top journals on autism.
1 June 2009