Autism is a developmental disability where children may exhibit extreme responsiveness deficits, difficulties relating to others, and difficulties communicating. Autism affects a child’s ability to communicate, socialize, and think. Throughout their lives, these problems significantly impair individuals’ functioning. A child with autism faces challenges in everyday life that are difficult to cope with. These five autism strategies can help you as a parent in dealing with the daily challenges faced by children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD):
1. Dealing with sensory issues:
Children with autism exhibit a wide range of sensory difficulties across all modalities. Such as with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, balance, awareness of body position and movement, and sensations. These sensory issues could manifest in the form of hyper- or hypo-responsiveness (oblivious or exaggerated response to sensory stimuli) or sensory seeking. In such cases children engage in activities for sensory stimulation, such as fidgeting or repeating noises.
In order to minimize the harm, many children with such issues tend to avoid situations that cause them to feel overwhelmed. Knowing the root of the problem can greatly assist a parent in gradually changing their child’s behaviour. It is important for parents to remain calm and positive.
Children with hypersensitivity usually experience overstimulation if the environmental cues are not well managed. This can lead to higher distress in children. An appropriate approach, however, can limit or prevent overstimulation. For example, parents can use sensory blocking aids such as sunglasses and earplugs. They can also make detailed plans together ahead of an event, and leave the situation with the child when necessary. Some children tend to show early signs of overstimulation, such as rocking, covering their eyes, and complaining. Early intervention can prevent these issues from escalating.
On the other hand, hyposensitivity leads to under-stimulation in children with autism. In such a scenario children use stimming to activate their desired senses, which naturally feel under-active. Whether or not caused by under- or overstimulation, the impact can be minimised by substituting and redirecting behaviours such as head banging, spinning, or biting oneself, with rhythmic movements, exercises, or behaviours that provide the same sensation without harm. Understanding and accommodating sensory issues can ease both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.
2. Reducing Repetitive and obsessive activities:
It is common for children with autism to indulge in repetitive and ritualistic activities in order to avoid change and transition anxieties. In order to cope with stressful situations, autistic children often engage in these repetitive and pointless activities.It is important to understand that eliminating such obsessions may cause your child distress. Since repetitive behaviours are often used to reduce anxiety, taking this behaviour away may have an adverse impact on anxiety levels in children with autism.
Yet, parents can set some boundaries regarding such obsessions. For a period of time, they should allow their children to engage in relaxing activities as well as engage in harmless obsessions or behaviours. Meanwhile, parents can try to develop other purposeful behaviours and functions in their children that can replace unhealthy obsessions.
Parents and caregivers need to keep in mind that various factors could contribute to repetitive behaviours. Even though the exact causes of this behavior are not very clear, tracking the timing, cues, and other factors that surround it can contribute to providing a clear explanation to parents. This is primarily why repetitive behaviours are rarely addressed in the intervention setting. When the causes are identified, intervention becomes more feasible. For instance, if the child demonstrates repetitive behaviour in a loud store, headphones can be used to minimize the outside noise.
It is important to note that early intervention is key when it comes to repetitive behaviours and obsessions. The longer they persist, the harder it is to change them. Moreover, a child’s appropriate behavior differs greatly from that expected of an adult, so it is encouraged to reduce these before the individual reaches old age.
3. Coping with intolerance to change:
One of the characteristics of autistic children is their need for consistency and their inability to deal with change. Families and parents have a very difficult time maintaining the sameness and avoiding change, especially if other children are present. For a child with autism to feel secure, stability, predictability, and continuity are crucial. It is therefore very helpful to keep a visual schedule every day. Once the child clearly sees the sequence of activities, they will feel less intimidated and overwhelmed as the day progresses.
Introducing changes to a child’s routine is also important to develop his ability to cope and be flexible. To some degree, a calm, uncluttered environment with some structure can help introduce change. Additionally, parents could use visuals, pictures, or videos as they engage in a new activity. Another technique to use is social stories – short stories aimed at providing knowledge to children so that they know what to expect from the activity. Thus, parents need to recognise that it is possible to achieve a higher level of clarity, consistency, predictability, and change in routine, without sacrificing spontaneity.
Parents can use picture cards even when an unexpected event occurs. During such situations, it is important to give the child enough time to adapt, redirect the child to a calming activity, and use relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises. Whenever possible, remember to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation and reinforce positive behavior.
4. Developing communication and social interaction:
Autistic children do not show any desire to interact with others or communicate. Although they communicate their basic needs unintentionally through their behaviour, they still struggle to understand and express feelings and emotions. They also lack non-verbal communication skills in addition to language skills. Images and symbols that are permanent and visible can help a child with such difficulties. Initially, communication can be developed through the use of pictures, symbols, and photos, then through the use of written words, and finally through spoken words.
To develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills, parents can use short sentences instead of long ones. The parent can also avoid mature language, use different gestures and tones, and prompt the child to answer simple questions verbally and nonverbally. It is also important to be patient and give them enough time to respond to these questions.
Remarkably, children with autism demonstrate better receptive language and speech production in natural situations than when adults use a more directive approach. Therefore, parents may utilise communication and learning opportunities throughout the day rather than creating a formal learning environment. It can also be helpful to use a more facilitative than directive teaching style. You can allow the child to choose a topic and follow their lead in a conversation. At the same time, considering autistic children struggle to deal with change, it is important to be consistent, structured, and predictable.
5. Fostering play and social skills:
Play and social skills are also imperative for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is possible to encourage children to play by sharing their interests, paying attention, and participating together. A parent can help a child feel less anxious by teaching them how to play in their own environment with clear rules for interaction. Furthermore, establishing regular playtime as part of a child’s routine will gradually improve eye contact, closeness, and cooperative behaviour. Engage your child while he or she is playing by actively listening and helping. You can practice parallel play, exchange and share toys, and verbally show interest in a child’s play by commenting.
Parents can encourage exploratory play by giving children the freedom to explore objects around them, even if it gets messy sometimes. It is also important to let them take the lead and choose which toys to play with, and provide them with a range of options, such as constructive, pretend, and physical play. This variety will help them develop multiple skills, such as language, communication, motor, and problem-solving.
Note: Autistic children differ greatly in their symptoms and in how they develop their skills. To cater to individual needs, it is advisable to discuss with your doctor.