INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
OF MUSIC
ismw.org info@ismw.org
301-365-5888 and 301-320-4400
11325 Seven Locks Road, Suite 255
Potomac, MD 20854
4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL-03
Bethesda, MD 20816
Ages Served: 6 months-95 years
Instructors offer music lessons in
all instruments and voice, all levels
and ages accepted. Nurturing and
experienced faculty make available
optional recitals and certificate
programs. Early childhood music is
offered (6 months to 5 years), and
instructors can schedule family
members at the same time.

708 Pine St.

Herndon, VA 20170
10301 Georgia Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20902
The Lactation Room provides
office and virtual lactation support
for mothers in Silver Spring,
Rockville, Laurel, Greenbelt,
Bethesda, Frederick, Northern
Virginia, Vienna, Loudon, Burke,
Fairfax, Sterling and more.

MCLEAN PEDIATRIC
DENTISTRY Cris Ann Ternisky, DDS
703-356-1875 McLean Doctors Building
6711 Whittier Ave.

McLean, VA 22101
McLean Pediatric Dentistry
oversees dental growth and
development with preventive
dentistry including school exams,
fluoride treatments, pediatric oral
surgery, early orthodontics, habit
appliances, sealants, cleanings
and general consultations.

PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE
mypdcdentists.com 703-348-4216
9901 Fairfax Blvd.

Fairfax, VA 22030
703-348-4216 6120 Brandon Ave., Suite 114
Springfield, VA 22150
703-688-3472 24805 Pinebrook Road, Suite 108
Chantilly, VA 20152
Kids come first. We offer comprehensive
dental treatment for all ages. Pediatric
dental specialists treat children starting
from age 1. A healthy smile means a
healthy child.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
DENTAL ARTS
wsdentalarts.com mydentist@wsdentalarts.com
703-451-8332 6116 Rolling Road, Suite 316
Springfield, VA 22152
This pracice has provided modern
dental care to generations of families in
the community. The practice’s pediatric
specialists love treating little smiles.

Doulas A MOTHER’S PRAYER
NANNY SERVICE
ampnannies.com 301-744-9AMP
2 Wisconsin Circle #700
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
This service offers baby nannies,
babysitters and doulas delivering
more than 20 years of experience
in child care.

Misc. Babies,
Maternity &
Toddlers INMED PARTNERSHIPS
FOR CHILDREN
opportunitycenter.us ccapecee@inmed.org
703-729-4951 21630 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 130
Sterling, VA 20166
INMED’s Family & Youth
Opportunity Center offers free
child development classes to
low-income families. n
ESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com
703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Square West
Reston, VA 20190
Reston Montessori School’s infant
program starts at 3 months.

Doctors, Dentists
& Orthodontists
LACTATION ROOM
301-529-5433 lactationroom.com
14812 Physicians Lane, #161
Rockville, MD 20850
Celebrating 30 Years!
Summer Intensive
Program July 10 - August 5
Sign-up for our
e-letter! washingtonfamily.com/enewsletter/
24 Washington FAMILY JUNE 2023
DOCTOR, BABY AND MOTHER: ND3000/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
building crucial skills to support
a lifetime of learning. Expert play
leaders support parents through
45 minutes of uninterrupted time to
play, explore and learn. The custom-
designed curriculum challenges your
children as they grow, with changing
playscapes and themes every
three weeks.




INCLUSIVE FAMILY
The Importance of Familial Relationships
in Traversing the Autism Journey
PROVIDED A
BY ANGELA WEST
utism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a
neurodevelopmental disorder that
can affect social communication and
behaviors. ASD is considered a “spectrum”
disorder because it can involve a range of
symptoms that can vary in severity, presenta-
tion and impact on one’s daily life.

When a child is diagnosed with ASD, it is
the beginning of a journey that can affect the
entire family unit. Family, sibling and paren-
tal/caregiver relationships are all essential in
navigating this diagnosis and building stron-
ger foundations for everyone to thrive and
grow through the process. While parents may
want to protect their child and siblings from
changes, it is crucial to involve and educate accommodate the other children.

• Acknowledge the importance of siblings
the whole family about ASD.

through this journey. Praise your children for
What are some tips for parents? being helpers to the family and their sibling
If you are a parent of a child with ASD, it with ASD. Let them know that their patience
can be a challenging time that requires some is appreciated and understood. It is vital that
adjustments and rethinking of familial rela- while acknowledging and praising your child,
tionships. It is important to acknowledge and you don’t “expect” too much or place too
address the specialized needs and therapies heavy a burden on the sibling. Although sib-
required by your child and involve the whole lings of children with ASD may not have the
same cognitive or behavioral challenges,
family. Here are some tips to help:
• Educate yourself about ASD and its impli- they have their own set of unique needs and
cations for your family. Share age-appropriate require individual support and guidance. It
information with siblings so that they can bet- is important to balance praising your child
ter understand their sibling’s needs and how to for their support and patience while ensur-
be supportive. It is important to educate them ing they don’t feel pressured to act as another
without making excuses for their sibling’s caregiver. Remember, they are the sibling, and
behavior. Understanding the disorder can help their relationship and support differ from the
them become more compassionate and under- parent/caregiver role. Siblings often thrive
as helpers to siblings and caregivers, but it’s
standing when extra attention is needed.

• Talk about ASD. Be open in your discus- important to be sure that they have the oppor-
sions and provide a “safe space” for everyone tunity to enjoy their own childhood and share
to ask questions and to express their feelings. the same experiences and opportunities as
Encouraging these open discussions is healthy their peers.

and creates a strong and safe bond between • Set aside special time for the sibling in
the relationship to enjoy one-on-one time
the different relationships in the household.

• Don’t isolate the diagnosis from the family; with you. While sibling relationships are a
instead, incorporate it into your daily routines. great benefit to children with ASD, siblings
Being thoughtful and respectful of changes also need to experience their own childhood
that can be made to accommodate your child moments in addition to that sibling bond.

Being a parent of a child with ASD requires
with ASD will benefit the whole family. For
example, if your child has sensory issues and some adjustments, but incorporating these
other siblings want to attend an event that tips can help strengthen familial relation-
may be difficult for your child with ASD to ships and support your child’s growth and
manage, consider making arrangements to development.

What is the significance of
sibling relationships in a house-
hold influenced by autism?
Although having a sibling with autism can
be challenging due to their specialized needs
and the attention they may require, the bond
between siblings is unique and can benefit
both children in many ways:
• For children with ASD, their sibling may
be their first friend and offer acceptance and
understanding within peer groups. This rela-
tionship can help the child with ASD grow and
develop in their social skills, peer interaction
and language skills.

• Children diagnosed with ASD can learn
and develop by interacting with their sib-
lings. Observing and mimicking their siblings’
behaviors can help them improve their social,
language and motor skills.

• Involving siblings in ASD therapies can be
beneficial for both the diagnosed child and their
siblings. It can provide learning opportunities
for siblings to become confident, compassion-
ate, caring and respectful individuals.

Building strong and supportive relation-
ships within the family and community is
crucial in navigating the autism journey
with a child with ASD. Sibling relationships
can play a significant role in supporting
the child’s development and strengthening
familial bonds.

Connecting with a local autism support
organization in your area can also provide
valuable resources and encouragement. Many
organizations offer fun and engaging activities
for the whole family, such as virtual scavenger
hunts, movie days and other events. Partici-
pating in these activities can be a great way to
connect with other families affected by autism
and to build a supportive community. T
Angela West, M.S., BCBA, LBA, Founder and
Chief Clinical Officer of Behavioral Framework, is
Board Certified and Licensed as a Behavior Ana-
lyst in Virginia and Maryland. With over 15 years
of mental health and ABA experience, Angela has
diverse programming and behavior management
knowledge. Angela has a long history of developing
and expanding ABA programs in both Maryland
and Northern Virginia.

WashingtonFAMILY.com 25