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- Ways to Support Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder<\/a><\/li>\n
- Helping Your Child with Autism<\/a>\n
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- Using an App Could Help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Autism Resources for Families<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ways to Support Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder<\/h2>\n
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The best thing you can do to support parents of autistic kids is, first and foremost, to learn as much as you can about the condition, to find out what it entails, how it can impact family life, and effective ways to help parents. The autism spectrum is a broad one, and those with ASD could present with a variety of symptoms\u2014or very few. These symptoms may include social and behavioral problems, obsessive behaviors, tics, and problems with verbal communication.<\/p>\n
If you are an employee with a member of staff working for you who has an autistic child, being as flexible as possible regarding the needs of this person is highly recommended. Just a few small changes, such as allowing homeworking now and again or giving them an hour off once a week to attend a parental support group, could make a huge difference in their daily lives. And mean you\u2019re more likely to retain a valuable employee!<\/p>\n
Helping Your Child with Autism<\/h2>\n
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Communication Tips<\/h3>\n
Communication is something that many children with autism struggle with. It\u2019s vital to ensure your child is fully paying attention before giving them an instruction or asking a question. Look out for their own unique signs that you have this before continuing\u2014and always start the sentence or question by saying their name, so they are aware they\u2019re being spoken to.<\/p>\n
Engaging an autistic child can be tricky, so try getting started by speaking about the activity that is engaging them at that moment, or begin by talking about their hobbies or interests. Keep questions short, and it\u2019s best to avoid open-ended questions. Those with autism may likely take things very literally, so it\u2019s also often a good idea not to use rhetorical questions, exaggeration, figurative language, or sarcasm, to avoid confusion.<\/p>\n
How to Say \u2018No\u2019<\/h3>\n
It can be hard for autistic children to understand why you have said \u2018no\u2019 to something they would like or want to do. It can be helpful to show your child a timetable of the week\u2019s planned events so they can see exactly when there will be time for them to enjoy the activity they\u2019re keen to undertake.<\/p>\n
If the \u2018no\u2019 has been given due to a safety situation, then you may find that explaining the danger and how to stay safe could work well. Alternatively, if the \u2018no\u2019 has come about due to unwanted behavior, then you might need to take a different approach. In this case, try to stay calm and not give this behavior too much unnecessary attention. Once things have calmed down, try to discuss with your child appropriate behavior and boundaries.<\/p>\n
Finally, some parents find that simply using a different word\u2014or even a symbol\u2014for \u2018no\u2019 can be a really helpful strategy.<\/p>\n
Read also Toys for Autistic Kids: A Guide to Help Them Thrive<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Using Visual Supports<\/h3>\n
Many autistic children react well to visual supports, which can help them make sense of their day and provide the structure they need. Visual supports can also offer the additional reassurance that autistic kids often need to help them navigate their routines with minimal stress. Plus, they\u2019re great as an encouragement for promoting independence, developing confidence, and avoiding anxiety.<\/p>\n
Types of visual supports include photographs, short videos, miniatures of real-world objects, line drawings, colored pictures, written words, symbols, or squares of plain colored cards.<\/p>\n
They can be used to, for example, give a single message (perhaps a square of a purple card means your child is hungry), to make a choice, or illustrate a point or concept. Deploy them in combination to create a timetable, schedule, or reward chart.<\/p>\n
Managing Meltdowns<\/h3>\n
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Meltdowns<\/a> and tantrums can happen with all kids, but they can present a particular parenting challenge to those with autistic children. Finding ways to help your child through the storm while keeping them safe and staying calm yourself can be tough.<\/p>\n
Catching a meltdown early can help prevent it from fully developing. If you spot the signs of an impending storm, then some steps could help. Try turning down (or removing) any bright lights, suggesting your child wear headphones to listen to calming music or giving your child a fiddle toy as a distraction. Changes to routine (however small) can be triggering for those with autism. Plan for these in advance by explaining to your child clearly and in good time what will happen and having a strategy in place to help them if they become distressed.<\/p>\n
Environmental Awareness<\/h3>\n
A common symptom of autism is a propensity to become overwhelmed by environmental or sensory elements. People with autism may be particularly sensitive to things like lights, noises, and a general feeling of there being \u2018too much information.\u2019<\/p>\n
There are lots of things that parents can do to help their kids with this. Simply being mindful about shutting doors and windows when necessary to minimize external noise could be helpful; similarly, providing earplugs or headphones to listen to calm music could be useful when you\u2019re out and about.<\/p>\n
For kids who are sensitive to touch, warning them before making physical contact is an easy but often effective way of helping them to cope with the variety of sensations they\u2019re experiencing. Always approaching from the front is also likely to be a good idea.<\/p>\n
Some autistic kids find the feeling of their clothes unpleasant, overwhelming, or distracting. To this end, try removing tags, allowing your child to wear their clothes inside out (so they don\u2019t feel the seams), and letting them wear the garments that they\u2019re most comfortable in.<\/p>\n
Using an App Could Help<\/h3>\n
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EvgeniiAnd\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Parents of autistic kids may have particular anxieties about keeping their children safe, especially if they have issues around communication or \u2018reading\u2019 others. An app could help. An option like Findmykids<\/a> has an in-built tracker; once installed on your child\u2019s phone, you\u2019ll be able to track their route and receive notifications regarding places they visit.<\/p>\n
My son Mason is 11, he has autism and is deaf. Mason found it hard because he wasn’t able to go out and play after school with his friends as it was too dangerous. This means it was also hard for him to make friends so he felt lonely and isolated.
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\nMy friend told me about your app and I installed it on Mason’s phone. Findmykids<\/a> gave Mason something precious\u2014it gave him independence and freedom and a chance to make new friends! I can now let Mason play close to home with friends whilst feeling relaxed knowing where he is at all times. It really has changed his life!<\/p>\nThe app allows you to contact your child when you really need to, and it can be used to send an SOS signal, so if your child is in distress, you can reach them quickly, which could be especially useful to the parents of an autistic kid.<\/p>\n
I’m a mother to a wonderful 10-year-old son with autism. Using the Findmykids<\/a> app has given me immense peace of mind, knowing that I can give my son a bit more freedom and independence as he grows up.
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\nMy son is able to walk short journeys by himself, and he is very capable. However, his autism means that he doesn’t always acknowledge the dangers around him. The app will accurately track him even whilst he’s on the move and can even allow us to have 2-way communication.
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\nIt is an amazing app and a very useful tool for keeping children safe.<\/p>\nIf your child gets lost or becomes overwhelmed, you can also use the app to hear what\u2019s going on around them, so if they can\u2019t clearly explain what\u2019s happening and\/or where they are, you can get to them.<\/p>\n
Making Friends<\/h3>\n
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Social situations may be particularly difficult for those with autism, leading to problems with making friends. Your child\u2019s school may be able to help here: you could ask if they would be prepared to introduce a \u2018buddy\u2019 or \u2018circle of friends\u2019 program to help your child and other kids who may be struggling to connect with their peers.<\/p>\n
You may need to start with the basics regarding social skills: what is likely to come intuitively to other kids may be tricky\u2014even incomprehensible\u2014to an autistic child. Take it one step at a time, practice, and, when in social situations, remove as many possible triggers and stressors as possible.<\/p>\n
Several apps are available online specifically designed to support kids\u2019 communications skills, so why not check these out, too?<\/p>\n
Managing Sleep Problems<\/h3>\n
Autistic kids are especially liable to have problems drifting off to sleep and\/or waking up several times at night. There could be many reasons for this, including anxiety, light sensitivity, or medical reason. It\u2019s important to discuss this with your healthcare practitioner, who may ask you to keep a sleep diary to track what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n
In general, following the same bedroom routine every night, including on weekends, ensuring their room is completely dark, and allowing your child to wear earplugs if they wish, may help.<\/p>\n
Autism Resources for Families<\/h2>\n
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There are lots of resources and organizations out there designed to support families and children with autism.<\/p>\n
These include the Asperger\/Autism Network<\/a> (aAN), which provides individuals, families, and professionals with resources, information, support, education, and advocacy, and MyAutismTeam<\/a>, a social network designed to offer support to the families of autistic children. As well as sharing tips and advice with other parents, the latter site also includes a searchable directory of more than 35,000 autism specialists and autism-friendly providers.<\/p>\n
You may also want to check out Sesame Street in Communities: Autism<\/a>, which is a nationwide portal that gives families with autistic children aged two to five positive ways to overcome challenges and develop strategies that work for them.<\/p>\n
There are also several federal agencies and federally-funded organizations that may be useful sources of information and advice, such as the Center for Parent Information and Resources <\/a>(CPIR), the Center on Technology and Disability<\/a>, and the Office of Special Education Programs<\/a> (OSEP).<\/p>\n
Your child\u2019s healthcare worker, teacher, and other support providers are also likely to be a great source of information, advice, and resources.<\/p>\n
- Autism Resources for Families<\/a><\/li>\n
- Helping Your Child with Autism<\/a>\n
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