Does anyone use private therapists?

Hi, sounds like he was totally overwhelmed, out of his depth in the US.  How well do his godparents understand autism + are the therapists in the US qualified to give therapy to autistic people?   I would think that would be very important indeed, that they fully understood autism, had some sort of qualification they could show you.  Please don't feel like a failure - his godparents saw him when he was under too much pressure + their reaction was to recommend therapy.  They were concerned.  Just because he's "smart" it doesn't mean that getting therapy will change him radically, because he's always going to be autistic.  As you say, he's different at home, in his comfort-zone.  I suspect that American autistic children who came on holiday over here, with or without therapy would be overwhelmed.  After all, he's only 8.  Who's to say whether the therapy would make much difference.  Do they know how successful this therapy in the US is, because that should be taken into consideration as well.  I'm by no means anti-therapy, but there are so many different kinds of therapist, some not even qualified at all, so it can be a minefield.  Also, regardless of how clever he is, the transition to secondary school can be very difficult for our children.  He's comfortable enough it seems in primary but I think you should apply for a statement of educational needs in time for secondary.  It's a different ball game.  Check out the posts on secondary school + see if there are any comments on therapists.   Don't feel bad because of what his well-meaning godparents said. Unless they see him regularly, all they got was a snapshot of an overwhelmed autistic child.  

Hi, sounds like he was totally overwhelmed, out of his depth in the US.  How well do his godparents understand autism + are the therapists in the US qualified to give therapy to autistic people?   I would think that would be very important indeed, that they fully understood autism, had some sort of qualification they could show you.  Please don't feel like a failure - his godparents saw him when he was under too much pressure + their reaction was to recommend therapy.  They were concerned.  Just because he's "smart" it doesn't mean that getting therapy will change him radically, because he's always going to be autistic.  As you say, he's different at home, in his comfort-zone.  I suspect that American autistic children who came on holiday over here, with or without therapy would be overwhelmed.  After all, he's only 8.  Who's to say whether the therapy would make much difference.  Do they know how successful this therapy in the US is, because that should be taken into consideration as well.  I'm by no means anti-therapy, but there are so many different kinds of therapist, some not even qualified at all, so it can be a minefield.  Also, regardless of how clever he is, the transition to secondary school can be very difficult for our children.  He's comfortable enough it seems in primary but I think you should apply for a statement of educational needs in time for secondary.  It's a different ball game.  Check out the posts on secondary school + see if there are any comments on therapists.   Don't feel bad because of what his well-meaning godparents said. Unless they see him regularly, all they got was a snapshot of an overwhelmed autistic child.