Although planning a family vacation with children may make any parents pull out his or her hair, it can be a rewarding experience for everyone in the end. It is no different if you have an autistic child in the family. The important thing to remember is that you need to be prepared for whatever life throws your way. To an autistic child, vacations can be scary and confusing, or they can be a great learning experience, leaving behind wonderful memories the entire family can enjoy.
First, choose your location based on your autistic child’s needs. For example, if he or she is sensitive to sound, an amusement park is probably not the best idea. Quieter vacations are possible at small beaches and by going camping. Overall, you should be able to find a location that everyone in the family enjoys. Once there, plan out your days accordingly. For example, you may want to Read More »
Self-discipline is a skill that most autistic children have trouble acquiring. This includes not only inappropriate outbursts, but also habits that can be potentially dangerous, such as being aggressive towards others or causing harm to themselves, such as banging their heads off walls. To prevent these and other behaviors, one technique parents and educators can use to control autistic tendencies is self-management. Giving the child power over him- or herself is often the key to keeping control over violent situations and may be a positive step towards learning other behaviors as well.
Self-management works because the child is no longer fully controlled by others. By teaching self-management during specific times of day, such as while the child is at school or therapy, the child will be more likely to continue to practicing self-control during all times of the day. The key is to implement a program in which he or she monitors his or her own behavior and activities. Begin with short amounts of time, and continue to monitor the child from Read More »
For most parents, discovering that their child has autism can be devastatingly painful. Unfortunately, however distraught the parents may be, they have to act fast. Being a parent, you simply don’t have the time to scrutinize as to how this thing could happened. At this point, the only thing you have to think about is what to do next.
Remember, these things do happen. But know, too, that you are not the only one struggling with this problem. There are lots and lots of people going through similar situations. You just have to research about the disorder and you will find that many people are finding ways to deal with their autistic child.
Why not join an autism support group for parents? The National Autism Society of America provides information about these groups. They have local branches which have support groups for Read More »
How should educators and parents handle a child’s autistic fixations on things such as vacuum cleaners or trains?
Fixations should be used to motivate schoolwork and education. If an autistic child is fixated on trains, try to use his interest on trains to motivate reading or learning arithmetic. Encourage him to read about trains or do mathematical problems with trains.
The child’s intense interest on trains can be very useful to motivate him to read. It is a mistake to Read More »
Sensory overload is another feature that often manifests in autism. For example the flickering of a fluorescent light that goes unnoticed by most may be an annoyance to an autistic child. The child may be sensitive to noises, the feel of some materials against their skin, or the amount of pressure placed on areas of their body. These sensory overloads mean the child can be highly distractible or stressed and can lead to behaviors like covering their ears, screaming, spinning or rocking, hiding under a table, or even self-injury.
There are many strategies for helping an autistic child but the best ones are based on understanding the individual. Be aware of Read More »
Ten locations in California have recently been identified to have higher rates of autism than other surrounding areas. Called autism clusters, these areas have high concentrations of white residents, most of whom are highly educated parents.
More autism clusters are hoping to be uncovered by the University of California Davis researchers. This is being done in order to discover anything in the environment that may be triggering a rise in Read More »
Children who were born to parents considered to be well-educated tend to have greater chance of having autism. Even researchers from the University of California Davis were surprised by this findings.
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates with and relates to the people around them. It is usually first noticed when a child reaches the age of about three and is basically identified by considering the ‘triad of impairments’. These are three areas of difficulty for the autistic person and are social relationships, communication, and imagination and planning.
The autistic person may appear aloof and indifferent to those around them. They may be sociable with one person, but unable to function in a group. Communication difficulties include no understanding or use of verbal or non-verbal communication. A common characteristic is an unwillingness to Read More »
