1 in 100 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from The National Autistic Society.
If you’re struggling with a child’s diagnosis of Autism, the best thing you can do is arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and be rest assured that many children with ASD live a fulfilled and happy life when provided with the right support.
What is Autism?
ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a highly complex developmental disability, affecting a child’s ability to communicate, socialise, learn and play in the same ways those outside the spectrum can.
Depending on each individual, symptoms and the impact on behaviour will vary from child to child.
ASD is not something a person simply “grows out of” and this should never be the aim of any treatment or therapy support. It is a lifelong condition that can be managed so your child can lead a happy and fulfilled life.
There are many positive therapies that can help autistic children acquire the right skills to enable them to thrive in today’s world.
How to help a child with Autism
So, how do you help children on the Autism spectrum acquire new skills and help them overcome a variety of developmental challenges?
Early intervention has been proven to be highly effective in various studies over the years, helping kids with learning disabilities achieve their full potential.
Positive Behaviour Support focuses on improving the quality of the child’s life and those around them. PBS is a ‘person-centred’ approach backed by evidence from behavioural science to help those with ASD lead a meaningful life and learn new skills without unnecessary restrictions.
With a focus on positive reinforcement, many ASD children can learn and display skills such as empathy and understanding, alongside helping awareness of any challenging behaviour that may affect others.
The goal is to create an open, supportive and collaborative environment. This helps improve the relationship between the adult and the child, leading to a calmer and happier household.
We understand that hearing the diagnosis for the first time can be overwhelming at first. But with the right knowledge and positive support, you can regain control over your family’s life and adapt to your own child’s needs.
Many parents who receive an ASD diagnosis for their child worry about their child’s wellbeing and how this will affect his/her life experiences, and how everyone else will adjust for the years to come. The next worry comes in the form of the day-to-day challenges you may face while caring for your child with autism.
This is why early intervention is so important, alongside finding the right type of support your child needs. Research has shown that parent training can decrease challenging behaviour in children, decrease parental stress and increase parent confidence (Kaminski et al 2018).
There are many different types of treatments to improve social, communication and life skills for those with ASD. But it’s crucial you choose healthy and effective behaviour strategies to improve your child’s inner wellbeing and future.
The earlier a child with ASD begins treatment, the better the chances he or she would have for a successful treatment. Ask any parent of an autistic kid, and they will tell you just how effective early intervention is, helping the child to reduce the symptoms of ASD in the long run.
If your child been diagnosed with ASD, these three areas are key to help help your child communicate more effectively:
- Create a safe and structured environment. As a parent of an autistic child, you need to create a set routine. By following the same routine, you’re helping minimise any stress that unpredictability can cause. Consistency is key. Disruptions must be kept to a minimum.
- Visual Aids & Clear Steps: Kids with ASD respond extremely well to visual aids. When they have a clear and concise schedule for daily activities, the child knows what to expect and therefore is more receptive to your requests.
- Positive Reinforcement: Always make sure to reward good behaviour. Positive reinforcement and ASD go hand in hand. Make sure your child has plenty of it. Your child will thank you for it later as they grow up to become more independent and happy within themselves.
A diagnosis of autism is not the end of the world. In fact, many people view those on the spectrum as extremely gifted! As with all children, supporting a child with ASD is all about creating a positive environment that enables your child to truly thrive.
There is support available and once you are able to communicate effectively with your child, you will get to see all the wonderful benefits that come with Autism.
With the right support and early intervention, individuals with ASD can lead a full and purposeful life.
If at times, everything feels like too much, follow our social channels where we provide support and tips for parents with autistic children and how to manage challenging behaviour.
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