You can help your child deal with the world, even if it's indoors.These tools can be used to help your child live in a healthy and growth-oriented environment.Some of the strategies for helping are listed here.
Step 1: Consistency needs to be maintained.
It may be difficult for your child to understand how the world works.Maintaining consistency helps your child to find routines, rituals, and a concept of order in what is otherwise perceived as chaos.It will allow you and your child to write down a schedule of the day and follow it when possible.Schedule* is an example of a beginning routine.Use the bathroom.Take care of your hands.Put your face in the washing machine.Get in a chair.Eat breakfast.When you're done eating, put the plate in the sink.X is a child oriented TV program.
Step 2: Make sure you don't make any changes in what your child sees as their domain.
A room needs to be cleaned.Changing the order of items on the bureau is not possible.The order of things is falling apart as a result of change.When changes are necessary, make sure your child is involved in the process.If you want to engage your child in the process of moving furniture, you should allow them to observe and be aware of the changes.Explaining the reason for the change will make it less scary.Try to find similar items when clothing or food changes will be less frightening for your child.Some people on the spectrum can't handle rough cotton.Exchange cotton for cotton items.The family should keep the same colors.
Step 3: Natural or full spectrum lighting can be used.
Children are often overwhelmed by fluorescent lighting.Many people on the spectrum can see this.If your child looks distressed or the lights are flickering, ask if it's bothering them.
Step 4: Consider sounds in the environment.
Children with special needs are more sensitive to noise.A person with an intellectual disability can find noise confusing or even painful.Putting tapestries on walls, using soft fabrics on furniture that has some texture, and adding room dividing decorative elements are some ways to buffer noise.It's a good idea to be careful about competing sounds.People will speak louder if the television is turned on.If your child hears a loud mush of unintelligible sound only, they will become overwhelmed.
Step 5: They can retreat to a quiet area.
If your child starts to get overwhelmed, they will look for peace.Try to create a quiet enclave where they can retreat.When your child needs quiet, don't allow siblings or other family members to bother them.This could lead to a lot of yelling.If they were in the middle of something, such as eating or doing homework, they should come back to it once they are calmer.They may be able to do it in a quiet place, like a teenager eating in her bedroom.
Step 6: Make sure that you are safe around your home.
Children with special needs are often curious about their surroundings.The dangerous parts can be included.A fish tank with glass and electric components that can be used to heat or aerate the water must be monitored.Explain why the boundary is set.You could get hurt if you play with the power outlets.If your child is not likely to be cautious, it is better to move the fish tanks away from them.Offer to explain the fishtank to you as best you can.This allows you to keep an eye on your child's safety.Show your child the wonders of the internet.There are picture books with diagrams in the library.
Step 7: Understand when to use stimming.
A variety of activities stimulates the senses.Staring at turning wheels and making repeated noises.It allows people on the spectrum to feel good.Stimming helps prevent meltdowns and increases self-control.Your child may be harmed by therapists who want to end stimming.If your child stims in a harmful way, talk to a therapist about finding a substitute.Through #AskAnAutistic, you can reach out to people who may have had the same stim, and offer advice on finding a good replacement.A girl who bites herself when stressed could bite a bracelet.
Step 8: Understand that special interests are important.
Some children with special needs experience intense, passionate interests.These interests can be used to develop new skills, and provide joy in their lives.There are books in the library about cats.New information may help the child be interested in learning.If your child struggles with social skills, she may enjoy books about dinosaurs.
Step 9: Expect to see different body language.
People on the spectrum don't always look at something or someone they are listening to.They may be listening closely to every word you say, even if they look inattentive by non-autistic standards.
Step 10: Know the signs of overload.
When a person is overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, they experience a meltdown or shutdown.Both cases may involve crying, covering ears, panicked stimming, and avoidant behavior.It can be characterized by screaming, crying, throwing oneself on the floor, etc.A build-up of stress is what causes meltdowns, and the child feels a loss of control.People with special needs feel bad about melting down.Shutdowns are characterized by withdrawal, distress, passivity, and loss of interest.Sensory integration therapy can help increase your child's tolerance to stimuli.
Step 11: You should check on the child's health with their doctor.
Some children with special needs can't tell you if their tummy hurts or their ear hurts.Some children on the spectrum don't understand what their body is telling them and may not realize they are sick.You should keep an eye on your child.If you sense something strange in the child's health, ask them how they are feeling, and then call your GP.A child head-bangs when they have tooth pain.
Step 12: Speak to your child often.
If the conversation is one-sided, talk to your child and let them participate in conversations as well as hear them.Some children on the spectrum don't understand the need to speak.Talking with your child as you go about your day increases language exposure and teaching.Speak as if you expect your child to answer.Parents talk about their child without talking to them.This makes you feel like you aren't a part of things for your child.Speak in clear and concrete language to young children.Speak avoiding expressions, but don't talk to your child because he can tell the difference.If your child is confused by a figure of speech or needs you to repeat something, talk normally and respectfully.
Step 13: Encouraging communication, verbal and otherwise.
If your child can't speak yet, look for a form of AAC that will allow them to express themselves.It is possible to communicate needs, thoughts, and feelings in a child.Non verbal responses can be watched for.Do you have fun at preschool?If your child flaps their hands and shrieks happily, then this is their answer.Continue talking.Your child shouldn't be pressured to speak.Some people on the spectrum can't speak or find it difficult.Allow your child to communicate with gestures, sign language, or by pointing a picture board.
Step 14: It is important that the word "no" is said.
You will pay attention to your child if they communicate a no, and they need to listen when you tell them no.If you wander off without telling me, I feel scared and worried that you aren't safe.If your child says no, you don't need to follow it.You can explain why it is important.The word "no" has meaning even though you won't always do what you want.You can ignore a child's attempts to say no.They may learn that "no" isn't important.They learn that listening is optional if no one listens to them.
Step 15: Explain the rules and behavior that you expect.
Expect your child to follow the rules if they are competent and capable of doing so.Explain to your child why the rules are in place and what they should do instead of doing something wrong.It is not okay to hit people because they are hurt.If you don't know what to do, talk to them, take time to cool off, or ask an adult for help.
Step 16: Understand how stimuli are used.
Kids on the spectrum are visually oriented.Sometimes non-verbal children can communicate by pointing to pictures in a book that is put together to help them communicate.A visual chart for the day's schedule may be beneficial for some children.It is possible to make a picture chart if you are trying to teach your child how to do something.The ability to turn verbal instructions into actions in their head is still missing for some children on the spectrum.Pictures might help them do that.
Step 17: Fun and constructive therapies help your child grow.
Therapy can help your child grow into a happy, healthy, well-adjusted person.Pinpoint specific issues, such as social uncertainty or sensory sensitivity, and work with the therapist to help your child develop skills.It's a good idea to avoid therapies that involve too many hours.Your child should have time to enjoy childhood and set boundaries.
Step 18: It's a good idea to recognize that autism is lifelong.
Even as an adult, your child will still be affected by the condition.This doesn't mean they will be miserable or have a bad life.There are many people who are happy with their lives.They don't need to be normal in order to have a good life.
Step 19: Measure yourselves and your child against other families.
If your child isn't talking as much as Robert next door or reading a book down the street, it's okay.The kids on the spectrum follow their own timelines.This does not mean that either of you is a failure or that you are a bad parent.You don't have to do what they are doing because you are raising your child.Make goals based on where your child already is, not where the timelines say they should be.You might want to teach your child to type or get chapter books for them.
Step 20: It's a good idea to teach your child about the disorder early on.
They might think it's something to be scared or ashamed of if you don't tell them right away.Expect to have multiple conversations once you tell them.If you use an open and factual tone of voice, you can say that it's not scary or bad.It should be framed in terms of strengths and needs.Loud noises and transitions are hard for people withAutism.You love nature and know a lot about dogs.It has fun and hard parts.
Step 21: You should have the attitude that you're going to be here for a long time.
When your child does well, there will be days when they don't perform as well as they could.Don't be discouraged.Sometimes finding out what isn't working can be beneficial in the long run, so you know what to avoid.
Step 22: Learn from people with disabilities.
If you don't know what to do when your child cries at a birthday party, they can give you advice.Many of them went through the same things as children, and can give a first-person perspective on what it was like.They can tell you what worked for them and what didn't.The #AskAnAutistic is a place where anyone can ask questions for people on the spectrum.If you watch them, you can see what your child may look like as an adult.
Step 23: Your instincts tell you how your child is treated.
You know your child, you have experience reading and learning their body language, and you can tell when something is upsetting them or too far away from their comfort zone.Take yourself seriously if you think a specialist isn't treating your child well.There are bad therapies.Therapy shouldn't be hard work.You have a right to be concerned if it leads to tears and frustration.If a therapist makes you uncomfortable, tells you not to trust yourself, or bars you from seeing the therapy, this is not okay.This is valid if you worry about your child being upset in therapy.A therapist should respect your instincts.If you decide to see a different therapist, it's okay to decline a certain type of therapy.
Step 24: I love my child.
You are the example of what others will think about your child.Your child will grow up feeling like a complete and worthwhile person if you treat them with kindness and respect.It is fine to tell someone that your child is special, but never apologize or make excuses.Your child is lovable.