How to Help an Autistic Child

Helping an autistic child can be frustrating because they need continuous, intensive and multifaceted assistance. Autistic children in the 60 to 70 IQ range tend to have a better outlook, as do those who have spontaneous speech by age 5 or 6.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Make your child a part of your family, not the center of it. No child benefits from all of his parents' attention.

2. Provide consistency. Your autistic child needs you to establish a set routine that he can count on every day. If you feel disorganized, if you are trying to juggle too many balls, your autistic child will respond to this confusion with bizarre behaviors.

3. Use the same set of words every time you reward him, likewise when you reprimand him. Autistic children do not learn well from experience. Often each event is a completely new occurrence to the child, even if the exact same thing happened yesterday.

4. Use behavior modification to correct undesirable behaviors. Use tangible rewards to increase motivation. You should provide 10 praise statements for every one corrective statement.

5. Notice your child's cues to stop a misbehavior before it occurs. A child might whine, or begin avoiding eye contact.

6. Pay attention to his warning signs, give him a basic instruction, guide him through the task nonchalantly, and then praise him.

7. Describe what you are going to do to your autistic child beforehand, since autistic children are easily confused by change.

8. Find the best educational program available to fit your child's special needs. Early intervention programs offer special education for autistic children that are not yet of school age.

9. Contact your local school district or health department, or ask your pediatrician about preschool and all-day school programs available in your area. Search the Web for Internet resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Always remember: To maximize your autistic child's potential, consistency in everything you do and say is vital.
• Once a child is 5 years old, his needs are best served in a special education class at a public or private school. By law, your child must be provided with education tailored to meet his individual needs.
• Take time out for yourself. If you are frazzled and frustrated, you will not be emotionally energized to help your autistic child.
• For more information on helping your autistic child, call the Autism National Committee at [phone].
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[babygersuny]

on 8/23/2009 I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS SOME WHAT HAS AUTISUM. HE HAS BEEN CHECK BY HASBO HOSPTAIL AND THEY DONT KNOW WHAT TO LABLE HIM YET. HE DOES A LOT OF WHAT A CHILD WITH THAT WOULD LIKE SPIN AROUND AND AROUND, AND JUMP UP AND DOWN. HE ALSO IF U PUT HIM IN FRONT OF A MOVIES HE REALLY LIKES HE WILL BE IN HIS OWN WORLD. HE ALSO WILL ACT LIKE HE CANT HEAR U. HE DONT LIKE BIG CROWDS OR OTHER KIDS TOUCHING HIS TOYS. HE LINES UP HIS TOYS. HE IS SO HARD TO GET TO SLEEP. WELL IF ANYONE HAS ANY TIPS PLEASE LET ME KNOW THANK YOU. i AM A YOUNG MOM OF 2 BOYS

[jed100]

on 5/18/2009 Hi. I represent Robert Jay Bernstein, an Educational Therapist who specializes in treating Autistic individuals and is located in the New York area. He really wants to help all autistic people, especially children. He has a 96% success rate at breaking autistic tendencies and has seen hundreds of clients. For testimonials, visit his website at www.autismspeech.com, email him at [e-mail] or call him at 914-478-4868 for a FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION. His revolutionary process will amaze you and is guaranteed to help you.

[Nephilian]

on 2/18/2009 Excellent article. I would like to say I hope those who read this are able to remember that these children with autism are just that...wonderful, bright, joyous children, who just happen to fall within the spectrum of autism. Autism is NOT who they are, it's something they experience. No different than you having blond hair or brown eyes. It's not who you are, its just a part of you.

on 3/31/2006 Try to find a support group in your area (Google search).
Joining a parent support group will not only help you to locate others going through the same process that you are, but will also help you gain more tips and understandings as to how to help your child. You may be able to find a group that provides respite services, seminars for parents and other advice and support services.