When a parent discovers that their child has autism, it can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress. Through the necessary education and support however, parents can learn to live with the syndrome and create an ideal environment in which their child can live happily.
Common Symptoms
Parents will typically notice different behaviours in their child by the time they reach 18 months of age. Children with autism will often find social interactions, communication and playtime very difficult. They may become particularly sensitive to what they see, hear and interact with – which may cause a great deal of stress should there be any disruption to what the child experiences in their daily routine. Children with autism may also repeatedly perform the same body movements and show an unusual affinity for certain objects.
Children with autism may struggle to start or maintain conversation, preferring to communicate with gestures rather than use words. They may also be socially withdrawn and prefer to avoid human contact, meaning they may not wish to make friends. Autism can also cause a lack of empathy, leading to the child to see others as objects.
In severe cases, autism can also result in intense tantrums and aggressive behaviour, as well as narrow interests.
How Parents Can Help
As soon as any signs of autism are detected in a child, it is crucial to seek the necessary help as opposed to waiting for things to improve naturally. The sooner autism care is initiated, the sooner the child’s life can be brought back on track. Observe the following:
• Educate yourself. There are many myths surrounding autism, meaning the parent needs to be fully aware of the correct and appropriate treatment options available for their child.
• Know your child. It’s wise to closely observe and establish what makes the child behave badly. Understanding what causes them to feel uncomfortable and/or stressed can go a long way in helping them maintain a peaceful atmosphere – as can establishing what makes them feel happy and calm.
• Consistency. Children with autism can often have difficulty practicing what they have learnt in a foreign environment. For example, they might use sign language whilst in therapy but forget how to use it when at home. In order to prevent this, the techniques that are being used to teach the child in therapy should be implemented at home in order to provide consistency.
• Stick to a schedule. Children with autism often thrive on a structured routine. It’s important to set regular, daily times for meals, school and bedtime. Try and keep this routine in place and prepare well in advance if any changes are unavoidable.
• Reward good behaviour. Giving reinforcement and praise to a child for behaving well can go a long way. When a child learns a new skill or acts appropriately then always make sure to commend them justly, maybe by way of reward or by letting them play their favourite game.
• Identify nonverbal cues. Observant parents can pick up on expressions and gestures used by their child to signal if they are hungry or tired. By practicing this, parents can react to the needs of their child before things escalate into bad behaviour.