How to support a child with autism at home
If you’ve recently discovered that your child may have autism spectrum disorder, you’re probably wondering about what’s next for them after tshe autism diagnosis. Children with autism spectrum disorders can lead very long, happy and healthy lives, but it is all about adult guidance and setting the right environment for them.
They may require more care to help keep their mental health strong or to ensure they function well in a neurotypical society. But, aside from the medical care and therapy such as CPI training, there are simple, everyday strategies you can work on with your child to help them. Remember, every child is unique, so try the below tips on how to support a child with autism at home and find out what works best for you and your child.
What is the best way to support a child with autism? Join a group
If you haven’t already, parent/Facebook groups are invaluable in helping you get started on the right foot. You’re about to step into a whole another world of SEN (Special Educational Needs) and the different pathways available can make parenting a child with autism confusing.
Try to find knowledgeable parents with children who have the same level of autism as your child so they can show you where to start with getting the right support at home. You can take parent courses too, which will help build your knowledge on SEN and what support is out there for your child too.
The National Autistic Society, which is the UK’s leading charity for autism, includes an Autism Services Directory which can point you to the right groups to join when helping a child with autism.
How can you support a child with autism? Stay positive
Children with autism spectrum disorder, like everyone else, often respond well to positive reinforcement, especially when you praise them for good behaviour. Be specific and literal in your approach, so they understand what you require from them. Then you can reward them with things like more playtime or a small prize like a sticker. Also, as you would with anyone, value your child for who they are. The Autism Society provides resources to help you stay positive at home.
How to support a child with autism spectrum disorder? Encourage friendships
Autism is frequently associated with social difficulties, but in more ways than you think. Some children with autism may appear uninterested in spending time with you and some may be over-friendly and very sociable. Underneath it all, parenting an autistic child is about working out who they are and playing towards their strengths and characteristics.
According to researchers, people with autism can form friendships, but they struggle to maintain them because the social interaction may not come naturally. Encourage your child to socialise, either in after-school clubs, at parties or one-to-one playdates. Helping an autistic child be help them become more confident and help their socialisation skills.
How do you support a child with autism? Communicate
A child with ASD may take longer to process information, so when thinking how best to support a child with autism, adjust your conversation to the pace they can take. Long pauses can be beneficial. For example, when you want things doing, ask your child to do something, using clear, concise language and with a low, firm tone. Wait 10 seconds before you repeat the request in exactly the same way. Bombarding them with too many demands can overwhelm and stress them out.
Also, children with ASD should and can learn they do not have to suppress or scream out their emotions if they are angry. Emotions are perfectly normal, but they may need help to learn how to manage what they’re feeling. Be persistent while remaining resilient with requests, even if you feel you’re not getting anywhere. When they don’t respond to you in the way you want, remember, they sometimes don’t understand why they feel how they feel and that can be very distressing for them.
All children thrive on empathy and understanding to help them become more confident in the very difficult skill of emotional intelligence. Do not take it personally if they use you as a comfort blanket when venting their emotions. It must tire them out having to mask (hide) their behaviour to fit in. The analogy, the coke bottle effect, is very fitting here. The coke bottle’s lid is closed, but the fizz is bubbling inside and you may be the first person to lift that lid and the bubbles explode out of the bottle.
Ironically, they may not understand this analogy because they prefer things to be explained literally, but if you are the parent who sees their coke bottle lid off, then it’s important to explain this to them in a way they understand. You may well have to be that comfort blanket and to help them understand and manage their emotions afterwards.
How to support a child with autism at home – play therapy
Play therapy is simply learning through play and its goal is to help children with autism to improve social interaction and communication skills. Play therapy also helps children to engage in novel activities and symbolic play. You can offer play therapy at home by engaging your child (and the family) in simple chase-and-tickle games, bubble blowing, or sensory toys and activities like swinging, sliding, or wriggling through a tube. You may progress to back-and-forth turn-taking games, collaborative games, or even make-believe as your child’s abilities develop.
What is the best way to support a child with autism? Stay calm
Caring for children with autism can be difficult, especially when you don’t understand their outbursts. But avoiding, coping with, or planning for meltdowns can only take you so far. A better solution is to teach your child how to manage their emotions. It’s easier said than done, but staying calm can help anxiety stay low in both you and your child.
Some techniques like sensory integration therapy, can teach the brain how to respond to touch, sound, sight, and movement. These skills help your child connect feelings to expressing emotions and encourages them to speak up when they are feeling a certain way. Being able to express your emotions is the first step in managing them too, and this can often be difficult for a child with autism.
Autism plus environment equals outcome.
When caring for a child with autism, providing a positive environment is key. Also, encouraging play therapy and learning more about raising a child with autism can help your child become a high achiever. Pay attention to your child’s traits and help them manage these traits in a neurotypical society. Some schools teach children how to embrace diversity and in turn children learn to be forgiving and non-judgemental. Practice being the same so your child doesn’t feel like they are lesser than other people. The focus here should be on helping children with autism lead full lives alongside their unique traits not despite them.
FAQ
Why do people with autism stay with their parents for a long time?
Check out some very interesting answers here.
Can an autistic child be in a normal school?
“Not every child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder will need to attend a specialist school, many attend mainstream school and have no issue. However, some children need more support and with even a few minor adjustments can benefit from attending a mainstream school.”
https://riseadapt.co.uk/autism-in-mainstream-education/
Can a tandem bike help a child with autism?
Find some answers here.
How can I teach math to a child with autism?
“Teach math concepts through visual examples and pair them with verbal instructions for those that are partially verbal or non-verbal. Make teaching math fun by playing games with flash cards, apps, or an online curriculum. Use technology to help those students whose fine motor skills aren’t as developed.
https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/special-needs/autism/teaching-math.html
Who can help a child with autism?
“Paediatrician. Paediatricians are experts in the health and development of children, particularly those with developmental disabilities. Paediatricians are often involved in the initial diagnosis of autism and offer follow-up support in some cases.”
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/professionals-involved/parents-and-families
How can a teacher support a child with autism?
Other questions asked were:
- How to support a child with autism in the classroom?
- How to support a child with autism in childcare?
- How to support a child with autism in nursery
- How to support a child with autism in preschool
- How to support a child with autism at school
Establish a routine with them. …
Consider the learning environment. …
Manage changes and transitions. …
Communicate clearly. …
Integrate their interests. …
Work with their parents/carers. …
Build your resilience.
https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/how-to-support-a-child-with-autism-in-the-classroom/
What are 5 strategies used to work with a child with autism?
Support Routines and Transitions. Most children with autism are sensitive to abrupt changes in routine and will learn best in routine situations. …
Use Visual Cues. …
Use Special Interests as a Gateway to Teaching Skills. …
Incorporate Sensory Tools. …
Support social skills practice.
https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/teaching-strategies-for-autism
What is the best way to support someone with autism?
“Support your friend if they ask for help. Be sensitive to what they want and need, not just how you think they should improve or behave. Try not to talk over or about them when others are around. Help them work on social skills by trying to engage them in conversations with yourself and others.”
https://www.milestones.org/get-started/for-community-at-large/interacting-with-autistic-people
How to help a child with autism calm down
“letting your child wear headphones to listen to calming music.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/autism-and-everyday-life/help-with-behaviour/
turning down or removing bright lights.
planning ahead for any change in routine, such as a different route to school.”
How to teach an autistic child to talk
Encourage play and social interaction. …
Imitate your child. …
Focus on nonverbal communication. …
Leave “space” for your child to talk. …
Simplify your language. …
Follow your child’s interests.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/seven-ways-help-your-child-nonverbal-autism-speak
What are the needs of a child with autism?
“Some autistic people will have high support needs, which may mean that they require full time care and support. Some people may need a bit of support with day to day activities, while others live fully independent lives. With the right support in place, all autistic people should be able to live the life they choose.”
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/varying-support-needs
What should you not say to a child with autism?
Another question asked was, ‘What not to do with an autistic child?’
“Don’t worry, everyone’s a little Autistic.” No. …
https://researchautism.org/what-to-say-what-not-to-say-to-someone-with-autism/
“You must be like Rainman or something.” Here we go again… not everyone on the spectrum is a genius. …
“Do you take medication for that?” This breaks my heart every time I hear it. …
“I have social issues too. …
“You seem so normal!”
How do you talk to an autistic child?
“Be patient. …
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=160&contentid=46
Teach the child how to express anger without being too aggressive. …
Be persistent but resilient. …
Always stay positive. …
Ignore irritating attention-getting behavior. …
Interact through physical activity. …
Be affectionate and respectful. …
Show your love and interest.”
Is it hard to raise a child with autism?
“Caring for a child with ASD can demand a lot of energy and time. There may be days when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or discouraged. Parenting isn’t ever easy, and raising a child with special needs is even more challenging. In order to be the best parent you can be, it’s essential that you take care of yourself.”
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/autism-learning-disabilities/helping-your-child-with-autism-thrive.htm
*Collaborative feature post*
