Children will get a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Children who show difficulties only in social communication might be diagnosed with social communication disorder , rather than autism spectrum disorder. Early therapies and supports are the best way to help autistic children develop and thrive. Sometimes children who get early intervention need less or no support as they get older. This leads to differences in the way that people learn, manage their emotions and get along with others.
The neurodiversity movement views autism and other conditions like dyslexia as normal variations in how the brain functions.
Skip to content Skip to navigation. About autistic children and autism Autistic children have three key characteristics. Repetitive behaviour For example, children might: make repetitive noises like grunts, throat-clearing or squealing do repetitive movements like body-rocking or hand-flapping do things like flicking a light switch repeatedly.
What does your child find stressful or frightening? Accept your child, quirks and all. Feeling unconditionally loved and accepted will help your child more than anything else. Like everyone else, people with autism have an entire lifetime to grow and develop their abilities. Learning all you can about autism and getting involved in treatment will go a long way toward helping your child.
Additionally, the following tips will make daily home life easier for both you and your child with ASD:. Be consistent. For example, your child may use sign language at school to communicate, but never think to do so at home. Explore the possibility of having therapy take place in more than one place in order to encourage your child to transfer what he or she has learned from one environment to another.
Stick to a schedule. Children with ASD tend to do best when they have a highly-structured schedule or routine. Again, this goes back to the consistency they both need and crave. Set up a schedule for your child, with regular times for meals, therapy, school, and bedtime.
Try to keep disruptions to this routine to a minimum. If there is an unavoidable schedule change, prepare your child for it in advance. Reward good behavior. Also look for other ways to reward them for good behavior, such as giving them a sticker or letting them play with a favorite toy.
Create a home safety zone. Carve out a private space in your home where your child can relax, feel secure, and be safe. This will involve organizing and setting boundaries in ways your child can understand. Visual cues can be helpful colored tape marking areas that are off limits, labeling items in the house with pictures.
You may also need to safety proof the house, particularly if your child is prone to tantrums or other self-injurious behaviors. You communicate by the way you look at your child, by the tone of your voice, your body language — and possibly the way you touch your child. Your child is also communicating with you, even if he or she never speaks. You just need to learn the language.
Look for nonverbal cues. If you are observant and aware, you can learn to pick up on the nonverbal cues that children with ASD use to communicate. Many people assume that children with autism have certain identifiable facial features or particular habits.
But as it has already has been mentioned, every single person with autism is different and mild cases of autism are common. These stereotypes and lack of understanding often make things difficult for parents. This is because many children on the Autism Spectrum are prone to behaviors that can bring about self injury. Children on the Autism Spectrum process differently things others often take for granted. Crowds, loud noises, and bright or blinking lights, among countless other things, can often lead to extreme anxiety or a total meltdown on the part of the child.
We live in a very verbal society that is ill-equipped for those in our population who are nonverbal. Still, it would be a mistake to assume these people do not have ideas, opinions, and other things to say. Some autistic children learn sign language to communicate, while others type or use other tools. A common challenge children on the Autism Spectrum and their parents face is the assumption by other children, other parents, and even teachers that because an autistic child cannot verbalize or express their feelings like a neurotypical child might, those feelings must not exist.
But nothing could be further from the truth. Kids with autism have the potential to be absolutely brilliant. This is something much of society fails to see, but in truth, the autistic mind is simply wired differently than those not on the Autism Spectrum.
A child on the Autism Spectrum is first and foremost a child. Autism is simply something that has happened to that child. Make an effort to see someone on the Autism Spectrum for their unique personality, talents, likes and dislikes, not the differences brought about by their autism diagnosis. Children on the Autism Spectrum often have a difficult time adapting to changes in routine. Taking a vacation, weekend away, or even just a spontaneous trip to the zoo can be a bit of a challenge.
Even the best-laid plans can go awry and cause total havoc. Not only is this heartbreaking for the affected individuals, it also leads to further misunderstanding and stigma about autism by the general public. Children with autism like to play with their peers, and largely benefit from being included in things like play dates and sports teams.
As already mentioned, we do not live in a society that is accommodating to people on the Autism Spectrum. This means that an autistic kid has to work much, much harder to function just about anywhere they go. Behind that hard-working kid are parents, teachers, and therapists who are also working hard to help that child. An autistic child acting like their neurotypical peers has not been cured.
Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum are research junkies, and do their best to stay up-to-date with each and every advancement in the autism community. Certainly, they know more than the average person. Our Mission.
Our Grantmaking. Research Programs. Deteccion De Autismo Deteccion Temprana. What Is Autism? Set Your Location. No matter how exhausted you are, get your child out in the community. You will make invaluable connections at both. These people will be a wealth of information for you and a lifeline. A fresh set of eyes may see areas that need to improve, or may reassure you that they are doing all they can for your son or daughter.
If possible, volunteer at school functions or offer to be a class mom. You may also make friends with other parents too. No matter how difficult your child can be, take any offer of babysitting you can and get out.
0コメント