If your child is autistic, you may find yourself uncertain as to the best ways to support them and confused by all the differing treatment recommendations.
Autism spectrum children may find it hard to adjust to changes in their environment and routine, which is why sticking to a highly structured schedule or routine may help alleviate anxiety and prevent meltdowns.
Communication
Some autistic individuals struggle to communicate verbally while others don’t talk at all, making communication techniques essential to everyday family, school and workplace life. Therefore, it is vitally important that parents establish communication methods with their autistic child(ren).
Establishing an effective communication channel between you and your child can enable them to express their needs, wants, and personality more freely – reducing meltdowns or aggressive behaviours in the process.
Communication may take many forms; from sign language and speech therapy to using tablets and visual cards for aid. The key is finding what method your child finds easiest and most effective; their preferred mode may change as they mature.
Many children with autism struggle to filter information and become overwhelmed by stimuli, leading them to experience sensory overload that could trigger an episode. Therefore, it’s essential that they have a way of asking for a break such as through their communication device or PECS book in order to calm down and process what information is coming their way.
As teaching an autistic person new skills requires considerable time and energy which might occupy your extra hours of playing online slot games on sites listed at the moxiecafe.com, maintaining this pace at home may prove challenging. To ensure consistent learning results for your child, try mimicking techniques used during therapy sessions so as to maintain consistency in his or her education.
Your child may be trying to communicate something. Perhaps they feel ignored, misunderstood or fearful; often these behaviors indicate frustration as well as lack of resources for managing emotions.
Individual, marital or family counselling could prove helpful if you are finding it challenging to raise an autistic child on your own. Counseling sessions can help identify how your child’s behavior has an impact on both relationships and individual stress management strategies. Find a qualified therapist near you – it’s free and confidential.
Sensory Sensitivity
Children with autism often respond differently to sensory stimuli (light, sound, touch, taste, smell and movement) than other children do. Their reactions may range from hypersensitive reactions to undersensitive responses; sometimes children will avoid certain activities while other times they actively pursue them; additional difficulty may arise in managing sensory input at the end of a long day or when sick.
No matter if your child is sensory seeking or sensitive, understanding their triggers is the key to creating solutions. This could include adding a break button to their communication device or having a picture in their PECS book they can use when needing a break from stimulation.
Your child might become overwhelmed in crowded shopping centres due to being hypersensitive to sounds. They might find themselves unable to tolerate noise, crowds, lights and scents and needing to yell or flap their hands for relief. Your child might also not enjoy clothing touching against them or being touched directly – preferring instead to stay inside bed until more suitable conditions arise.
Some children may be sensitive to sensory stimuli that trigger their fight-or-flight response, leading them to avoid experiences like certain smells, restaurants or breezes that touch their faces altogether. Sometimes this sensitivity stems from anxiety or fear; sometimes even leading to complete meltdowns!
Children who are oversensitive to sensory stimuli are sometimes mislabeled autistic; however, clinical research now shows that sensory processing sensitivity isn’t a mental disorder but instead a personality trait characterized by increased awareness and deeper cognitive processing of internal and external stimuli, often with positive qualities like empathy and creativity as byproducts. People who display high sensitivities are known as orchids while those less so may be called dandelions.
Social Skills
Autism can be a difficult disorder for children to navigate, and parents must understand its social challenges. The aim is to help your child grow in ways that will enable them to live as independently as possible in the future, not simply enjoy an isolated existence. Striking a balance is crucial here – find ways to capitalize on your child’s strengths; many autistic children have specific areas of expertise or interests which they could utilize in social settings – for instance if your child loves dinosaurs, sharing this hobby with peers may make them feel more at ease in any social situation
Play is another effective way of developing your child’s social skills. Through play, children can practice turn-taking, handling winning and losing, and following rules. You can teach these social skills either through structured activities such as hosting a tea party with teddies and acting out scenarios or free play at home; or use picture books of social skills to prepare your child for different types of situations and help them understand what’s expected of them in those scenarios.
Your child can develop social skills by encouraging participation in groups or activities like choir, drama club, dance class and sports programs for people with disabilities. Many communities also provide special needs groups where autistic children can come together with peers and share activities. One-on-one therapy with either a speech pathologist or occupational therapist may help target specific areas that pose difficulty to your child.
Your support of your child’s emotions should begin by discussing what they are experiencing and assuring them that meltdowns are normal. Furthermore, allow them to express themselves freely by art, music or writing; providing a safe and supportive environment may also help alleviate stress levels.
Behaviour
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), more commonly known as Autism, impacts how your child behaves, interacts and learns. Common symptoms may include trouble using and understanding nonverbal communication methods like facial expressions or gestures; difficulties navigating social situations and repetitive motor behaviors like flapping arms or body rocking; as well as sensory aversions or intense interests which are difficult to manage.
Autistic children and teenagers typically require routines and rituals in their daily schedule and do not welcome changes, which may become stressful and cause them to act out. Planning ahead for anticipated changes can help, with strategies such as timetables, visual schedules and behavior-based therapies/supports often proven helpful.
Children with autism often struggle to transition between environments. If they use sign language in school or therapy sessions, try encouraging this at home too. Consistency between environments is the key to helping these kids master new skills – for instance if their teacher uses sign language with them it should continue into everyday life at home too!
Teaching your child how to self-soothe when anxiety hits is essential in helping them avoid or manage meltdowns more easily. Giving them tools they can use such as sensory toys or books, weighted blankets and family pets may be useful; autistic children may even benefit from having their back or arms massaged to relax themselves.
Starting by speaking to your child’s paediatrician, psychologist, behavioral specialist or other health professionals involved can be the best place to start in managing obsessive behaviour and rituals. They will advise how best to address them.
Individual, marital or family counselling is an effective way to address your feelings about your child’s challenging behavior and how it impacts the rest of your life. A strong support network of friends and family members is also beneficial; professional assistance may also help ease the stresses and strains of parenting an autistic child and avoid creating further anxiety in relationships – whether with a partner or another member of your family.