Raising a child is a complex process that requires parents not only to be patient and teach the child basic skills but also to learn the rules of interaction with him or her in accordance with age development. However, if we are talking about raising children with autism, it is even more multifaceted. In the presence of such a disorder, you need to know certain rules and prohibitions that will help you establish interaction with a special child and provide him with favorable conditions for comprehensive development.
Features of a child with autism that parents should pay attention to
The first signs of autism can be noticed in the first year of life when a baby does not reach out to his mother and does not need attention from loved ones. However, the most pronounced signs of autism spectrum disorder are manifested in the age range of 2-3 years, when speech and social interaction begin to develop actively.
A child with autism is focused on his or her inner world. He or she avoids contact with parents and other children and can be frightened by the attention of a stranger, direct eye contact, as well as simple things such as animals, the noise of household appliances, bright light, etc. Among other characteristic signs of the disorder:
- delayed speech development;
- the child does not respond to his/her name and speech addressed to him/her;
- stereotypical behavior — the child repeats the same movements, actions for a long time, concentrates on one object for play;
- the child is not interested in the environment and the events that take place in it, there is no desire to play with other children;
- lack of interest in toys — entertainment can be reduced to twisting the rope, sucking the edge of the toy, or other monotonous activities;
- difficulties or inability to master self-care skills, such as eating, dressing, going to the toilet, using cutlery, etc;
- the baby is not interested in emotional contact;
- unmotivated outbursts of aggression and anger;
- lack of a sense of danger — the child can go out on the roadway, play with sharp objects, jump from a height, etc.
The upbringing of a child with autism should be based primarily on his or her characteristics. After all, this condition is not a consequence of poor upbringing. Autism is a disease that is caused by brain damage and is accompanied by abnormalities in communication and social interaction.
The first thing parents of a special child should do is to see a child neuropsychiatrist or psychiatrist as soon as they notice the first signs of a disorder. Doctors and a psychologist work with such children. Timely detection of the disease and the beginning of correction can reduce its manifestations and adapt the child to society.
Tips for parents of children with autism
First of all, you need to accept the situation, be patient, and follow the recommendations of specialists on how to raise your child. It is important to understand that your child is not mentally ill - he or she just has a different view of the world. And because of this, it is more difficult for him to adapt to it, so it is important to help your child, teach, and support him.
Some useful tips for raising a child with autism spectrum disorder:
- Create a safe space to minimize the risk of injury, falls, etc.
- Establish interaction through objects (toys, musical instruments), as children with autism focus on them rather than on the person.
- Remove from the baby's environment everything that can frighten him or her — quarrels, loud conversations, sudden movements, rudeness, bright light sources, noisy household appliances, etc.
- Use art therapy practices to overcome excessive aggression, anxiety, fear, and negativism.
- Maintain communication carefully, remembering that excessive eye contact, loud talking, direct addressing, and touching can frighten a child and lead to even greater withdrawal.
- When performing any actions (bathing, feeding, dressing), talk to the child, gently encourage him or her to imitate.
- Talk to the baby calmly, do not raise your voice, be friendly.
- Choose a comfortable distance for your baby when communicating.
- During tactile contact, voice your feelings to gradually weaken resistance.
- Stimulate the child to emotional reactions to various events and environmental phenomena by your own example, and approve of the child when they are manifested.
- Use brightly colored clothes, jewelry, and toys. This stimulates the child's interest, attention, and exploration.
- Gradually encourage your baby to explore the environment, to learn about the belonging of different objects.
- Play bingo, do puzzles, make scrapbooks, do other activities where you don't have to talk because children with autism love them. This will gradually strengthen your contact.
- Develop the ability to regulate actions, voice all the stages when doing something (for example, when assembling a pyramid).
5 prohibitions in raising children with autism
Make sure that the following rules are always followed in your child's environment:
- do not make sudden movements;
- do not talk loudly;
- do not direct speech directly to the child;
- do not look the baby closely in the eyes;
- not to be intrusive or active in communication.
Raising a child with autism has certain peculiarities and requires much more attention, time, and effort from parents. However, it is important to regularly work with such kids, follow the listed rules, and then the child's psycho-emotional state will gradually improve. And the main thing is not to stop there to prevent a return to the initial level.
