Autism Overall Review and Information
Autism is a developmental dysfunctional neurological disorder of the brain caused by a brain abnormality. Normal brain functions are affected such as the part of the brain that controls behavior and social interaction skills. There is not just one way a child can form autism. It is highly thought to be genetic, as its seen passed down in families. However having a child at an older age in life can cause risk factors, as well as traumatic stress put on the baby at birth. So how common is autism? 1 out of every 88 children in America, are diagnosed with autism, according to Autism Speaks. This number is growing because getting a diagnosis has become easier to get. The rates have increased 10-17 percent in the last few years. Doctors know more about autism now than they used to, and know what to look for. Males are more likely to have autism then females. Autism affects more than 2 million people in the United States, according to Autism Speaks. Every child with autism is different, just like every child is different. What might work for one child may not work for another. A child with autism may have a more severe case then the next. It is considered to be a learning disability where children who suffer from autism have a hard time communicating. They learn differently than a child without autism. Given the right tools, cooperation of parents, programs, early intervention some children can excel further than expected and to their full potential. Diagnosis is usually made between the ages of 2-3 when the child starts showing symptoms/signs of autism.
A child with autism is struggling inside their own minds and bodies. They can become frustrated and angry quickly when they cannot express what they need or want. Being shown how to communicate appropriately is necessary to teaching them life skills that they need to reach their full potential. Some therapy will include but not limited to; learning to use a spoon or fork, sitting correctly in a chair, washing their hands or brushing their teeth, building with blocks, expressing themselves appropriately, how to share, how to play with others. Some autistic children can learn how to do these things using different therapy methods. It may take some time, and a lot of cooperation, and consistency but can be a strong possibility and worth getting help for. Children with autism feel love and real emotions, but have a harder time showing or expressing their feelings. Some children with autism have a hard time showing and feeling empathy but can be shown how to. By showing an autistic child love, compassion, and understanding of their everyday struggle, they learn how to show their appreciation in an appropriate manner. When a child with autism is set off they can be thrown into violent temper tantrums also called meltdowns.
1. Recognizing before a meltdown occurs can help prevent as many meltdowns as possible. The key to preventing meltdowns is to watch for situations that may cause them to act out. Although every child with autism is different, the more you watch their cues the more you will learn about your child. If a child takes a toy away from a child with autism, give the toy back and say to the other child, “you need to share, he was playing with that first and redirect the other child before the child with autism becomes upset because someone took their toy. It will be a lot harder to calm the child after they already started screaming then if you resolve the situation before it escalates. If the child with autism takes a toy from another child show support without giving into their naughty behavior. Verbalize I understand you want the ball, it’s not nice to take toys from our friends but you can play with this toy instead. Try to redirect them when before they get angry. Sometimes you won’t be able to prevent a meltdown but the goal is to have less of them. If the child begins to get angry and blows into a meltdown there are some steps that might help them last as short as possible. Again there are so many different cases of autism, not any two children have the same reactions or symptoms. Not everything works for every child. However there is an appropriate way to handle outburst that will ultimately teach the child good behavior and how to deal with emotions.
2. Analyzing Safety of the child and others is the most important factor to be aware of when a meltdown begins is to analyze their safety and the safety of others. Sometimes their outburst can become violent and include hurting themselves or others. They may bang on hard surfaces or throw themselves down on a hard floor. How to handle safety is to remove them, and bring them to a safe place. Somewhere they can throw their temper tantrum without affecting other children or hurting themselves. Sometimes it’s easier to remove the audience rather than the child that is having the meltdown, from the situation. In this case it is still required to have the child be around minimal people during an episode. Doing so will ensure the meltdown tampers off quicker and negative behaviors aren’t taught to other children. One meltdown in a room full of toddlers leads to a room full of meltdowns.
3. After analyzing safety hazards and removing them from other children, it is important to next remember to STAY CALM. Do Not Yell at a child who cannot understand and communicate back to you how they are feeling. They don’t understand why they feel the way they do. I don’t know how many times I have said this in my blogs but children react from vibes that are being sent to them. So when dealing with an autistic child that is screaming, crying, and having a complete meltdown, respond with words like, “I love you booboo, I know your upset hunny.” Or repeat back to them the negative behavior that they used, (ill use biting) “You can’t bite your friends, they want to play with you they love you, you have to be nice to our friends.” In a calming voice and a big smile on your face, tell the child that they are loved, that you understand they are upset, and that they are safe.
4. Time Outs are not exactly used as punishment but as discipline if used correctly. If at home and in a safe place time outs can be effective for cooling off periods. When a child with autism is passed the point of redirection and even if you were to give into the naughty behavior it would still not sooth them. After they have been freaking out, they no longer remember why they had gotten so angry; trying to give them whatever they want to calm them down teaches negative reinforcement. A pack and play (playpen) is a good spot for an autistic child to have their cooling off periods. I suggest a pack and play rather than a crib where most cribs are made of solid wood and they could harm themselves. This way if they throw themselves against the side of the “pack and play” then they won’t get hurt.
5. Walk away after putting them in the pack and play. Tell them you love them and they need to calm down. Tell them you are going in the next room and you will play with them when they calm down and are ready to behave. Remind them that they are in a safe place and when they cool down they can come out and then ignore the behavior. Autistic children can’t always calm themselves down right away and it can feel impossible to sooth them. HOWEVER, taking these steps with a smile on your face and love in your voice the meltdown will not last as long after you leave the room, if it didn’t stop before you left the room.
It can be hard to cope and deal with stress when you are a caregiver to an autistic child. As a caregiver of a child with autism, the stress that you feel is understandable. It is a known fact that parents of autistic children deal with more stress on a daily basis then parents of a child with other disabilities. Most autistic children have more behavioral issues and communication issues then other children, making it stressful on their parents. It’s completely understandable to get stressed out, but be active and learn ways to help cope with stress and how to handle a child with autism. Providing a child with resources to learn sociably acceptable behavior and early intervention is a gift that will follow that child for the rest of their lives. Learning about their disability will help you cope and understand them more. If you have already done some research then you already know that the most advised way to cope is to join support groups. Whether it is online or a local support group, being around other families that are going through the same situations as you can provide incredible comfort, reassurance, and valuable information on resources that will benefit your child and your peace of mind. It’s necessary to take a break and get some alone time. It might not be easy but making sure you have a good support network with someone who can help you get some time to your self will be beneficial.
Although they might not be able to express the way they feel and show you that they love you, their parents are the most important people in their lives and there is no one that a young child with autism loves more than their caregiver. Don’t take their actions personally; they are not acting out because they don’t love their caregivers. Children with autism act out because that’s the only way (right now) they know how to deal with their emotions. It can be hard in public places not to feel embarrassed or awkward when they start to act out. Having the right tools and knowing you are doing everything you can to help your child should calm your mind with that. Dealing with temper tantrums in a public place can be stressful but by minimizing the crowd, avoiding long outings, and following a strict daily routine will help minimize outburst. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do when you need to go grocery shopping but sometimes you’ll need to remove them until they calm down and then try it again.
Therapy is important for a child with autism. There are trained therapists that can help the child to excel to their full potential. Early intervention programs are designed to teach appropriate mannerisms and skills they will need throughout their lives. Never stop looking for resources to help better your child’s quality of life. Find out what your area has to offer, you may be surprised. You do not need a referral from a doctor for early intervention. The initial visit, they will come to your house, with 4-5 trained professionals to do an evaluation. This will help plan their curriculum for the child’s pacific weaknesses and strengths. The people that come to the house are very nice, and understanding. They love children and know how to work with them. They are trained professionals that love children. That is why they are there. I have nothing negative to say about early intervention and I suggest it for any child who needs it. After the initial visit they will give you the report. There is no guessing on how your child did, or what they thought. They will write you a summary and then mail you a full report. Their report is called a Developmental Profile. Mya had one done at 1 month old and had a very impressive report. I will post a copy of her report on “Mya’s Milestones Blog”. She did not qualify for their services; however I have known many children who valued from their services. After the evaluation they will set up an appointment to come to the house again to start the therapy. The second time they come will be just one and you should have the same person after that each time. That way the child gets to know one person, and become comfortable with them. They bring educational toys, show you different ways to interact with the child, and strengthen the weakness in the areas they need help in. They also explain the child’s strengths, not only focusing on the negative. They are encouraging and well trained professionals. They will set the child up with the therapist they believe will know best on how to work with the child. Most early intervention professionals are caring, compassionate, and intelligent women. Ask your doctor about other resources that are available in your community, such as play groups and therapist, support groups, and parenting classes. Be active in receiving the help the child needs to excel.
I have done some research on Bentonite clay, a detox therapy. I have recently learned many autism centers are now using this therapy. Reading some of the remarkable stories I couldn’t believe how well this has worked for children with autism. Stories have said children started having full conversations and extreme improvements on communication. Some children start singing, and it soothes them. This remarkable clay SAFETLY removes heavy metals and toxins from the body and aids in therapy success. During bath time, scoop a couple scoops into their bath water. You can make a mask and put it all over their bodies. Making sure you have a good brand and the right kind of clay makes all the difference. I will provide a link to the stories so you can read them for yourselves. It’s an amazing idea, and worth a try. I’m not guaranteeing this treatment (yet), but I am suggesting it. Not having had tried it myself yet I want to make sure it works. After reading this information, we found out Myles had autism, I immediately made a recommendation to try this. We look forward to trying this with him, and will keep an update on his progress.
Recently I discovered my husband’s cousin’s son, who is also one of my close friends, had autism. Myles is a 3 year old, active, and adorable little boy. He is going to be 3 years old in September and they recently were able to get the diagnosis confirmed. I wanted to learn all I could about autism and what I could do to help them. Before meeting Myles I didn’t know much about autism. After spending some time with them I learned a lot about him. I then did as much research as I could on the internet and found some valuable information. Knowing what I already know about children and reading online I learned a lot about autism. I’ve always been interested in learning how autism works and how to handle a child with autism. He has mild to severe spectrum autism disorder. I plan on writing a blog on his therapy; showing the results of the clay, the different therapies, and programs she involves him in. Having her input and story will benefit other people going through the same experience and looking to try new ideas. We are part of her support system and a strong support system is important. Myles will just randomly come up to me and give hugs. I love that little boy so much that I am determined to find out all I can to help them. He has different screams for different emotions. Sometimes when he needs help he will take your hand and bring you to what he needs help with. This is incredible because he’s beginning already to find new ways to communicate what he needs instead of getting angry. When Emma saw that he was upset she would pick up his Sippy Cup and bring it to him. She wanted to make him feel better. Myles loves cars and anything to do with the Cars movie. Many children with autism have obsessions; his would be his Sippy Cup, and his cars. Myles would put the baby doll into the baby swing or Bumbo seat and started playing with the dolls. This was an in creditable improvement in his development. He knows how to play with cars, but it was one of the first times he engaged in play with other toys. This also showed that he watched how we interacted with my daughter Mya. Seeing that we sometimes put her in the Bumbo seat to feed her or in her swing so she can drink her bottle, he imitated. He learned how to play with baby dolls. My daughter Emma grew very fond of him. She still asks for him at least once a day. He is such a sweet boy, and had a positive impact on our family.
I hope this article has helped for better understanding of children with autism, ways to handle outbursts and stress, ideas of different therapy, and value from other’s stories. You are not alone, and there is help out there. Be active in therapy, seek professional help and show that child all the love in the world. Never stop researching and spread awareness. When it comes down to it a child’s caregiver, it could be the mother, father, grandparents, whoever cares for the child, The caregiver is all that child has to keep them safe and provide them with the resources they need to excel. I plan on keeping updates in my blog about Myles and his improvements, and therapy. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them and coming up with new ideas for therapy. If you have any ideas or there is something you would like to add feel free to comment. Again, I have to note that not everything works for every child; you must speak with your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor is the only one who can make a diagnosis. I do not claim to know how to cure autism, and early intervention is highly suggested. Good luck on your journey! I hope for success for every child struggling with autism spectrum disorder.
TIPS:
1. Have a consistent daily schedule.
2. Explain to the child before leaving the house, going somewhere new, taking a bath, going outside, giving them a hug, eating lunch or getting them a drink, whatever is changing and what is coming next. (transitioning to the next activity) Give them time to prepare for the change before it happens.
3. Get involved in therapy and find a therapist for your child and yourself.
4. Set up consistent wake up times and bedtimes, so they are the same each day.
5. If something doesn’t work the first time, try again another time; such as not staying still for a book, or refusing to try new healthy foods.
6. Read to them at the same time every day. They will begin to expect it, and they will enjoy it. Even if they aren’t staying still sitting on your lap looking at the pictures, hearing your voice and the words may do impressive improvements to their vocabulary
7. Have a babysitter come to the house and learn the child’s routine, the way the child expects it to happen. That way nothing has to change in the child’s schedule, and the child is comfortable with the caregiver. A little change can throw off a whole day. Sometimes there are going to be times that you can’t avoid it. Think of ways to make the transition easier on the child. The better they know their sitter, the better experience will be for everyone. Take alone time, to avoid being overwhelmed with stress.
8. Keep track of success and different therapies, either in a notebook, or blog. Autism is a long journey; keeping track of the advancements can be encouraging. The child’s autism may change over time and keeping records will help keep track of progress.
9. Reach out; find support groups, go to conferences, and see what your community has to offer.
Work cited; medical information found at the following websites to insure quality information along with my own personal views and opinions. I encourage looking for as much information and resources that are available to you.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/Autism,
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-topic-overview?page=2, http://www.everydayhealth.com/autism/what-is-it.aspx
A child with autism is struggling inside their own minds and bodies. They can become frustrated and angry quickly when they cannot express what they need or want. Being shown how to communicate appropriately is necessary to teaching them life skills that they need to reach their full potential. Some therapy will include but not limited to; learning to use a spoon or fork, sitting correctly in a chair, washing their hands or brushing their teeth, building with blocks, expressing themselves appropriately, how to share, how to play with others. Some autistic children can learn how to do these things using different therapy methods. It may take some time, and a lot of cooperation, and consistency but can be a strong possibility and worth getting help for. Children with autism feel love and real emotions, but have a harder time showing or expressing their feelings. Some children with autism have a hard time showing and feeling empathy but can be shown how to. By showing an autistic child love, compassion, and understanding of their everyday struggle, they learn how to show their appreciation in an appropriate manner. When a child with autism is set off they can be thrown into violent temper tantrums also called meltdowns.
1. Recognizing before a meltdown occurs can help prevent as many meltdowns as possible. The key to preventing meltdowns is to watch for situations that may cause them to act out. Although every child with autism is different, the more you watch their cues the more you will learn about your child. If a child takes a toy away from a child with autism, give the toy back and say to the other child, “you need to share, he was playing with that first and redirect the other child before the child with autism becomes upset because someone took their toy. It will be a lot harder to calm the child after they already started screaming then if you resolve the situation before it escalates. If the child with autism takes a toy from another child show support without giving into their naughty behavior. Verbalize I understand you want the ball, it’s not nice to take toys from our friends but you can play with this toy instead. Try to redirect them when before they get angry. Sometimes you won’t be able to prevent a meltdown but the goal is to have less of them. If the child begins to get angry and blows into a meltdown there are some steps that might help them last as short as possible. Again there are so many different cases of autism, not any two children have the same reactions or symptoms. Not everything works for every child. However there is an appropriate way to handle outburst that will ultimately teach the child good behavior and how to deal with emotions.
2. Analyzing Safety of the child and others is the most important factor to be aware of when a meltdown begins is to analyze their safety and the safety of others. Sometimes their outburst can become violent and include hurting themselves or others. They may bang on hard surfaces or throw themselves down on a hard floor. How to handle safety is to remove them, and bring them to a safe place. Somewhere they can throw their temper tantrum without affecting other children or hurting themselves. Sometimes it’s easier to remove the audience rather than the child that is having the meltdown, from the situation. In this case it is still required to have the child be around minimal people during an episode. Doing so will ensure the meltdown tampers off quicker and negative behaviors aren’t taught to other children. One meltdown in a room full of toddlers leads to a room full of meltdowns.
3. After analyzing safety hazards and removing them from other children, it is important to next remember to STAY CALM. Do Not Yell at a child who cannot understand and communicate back to you how they are feeling. They don’t understand why they feel the way they do. I don’t know how many times I have said this in my blogs but children react from vibes that are being sent to them. So when dealing with an autistic child that is screaming, crying, and having a complete meltdown, respond with words like, “I love you booboo, I know your upset hunny.” Or repeat back to them the negative behavior that they used, (ill use biting) “You can’t bite your friends, they want to play with you they love you, you have to be nice to our friends.” In a calming voice and a big smile on your face, tell the child that they are loved, that you understand they are upset, and that they are safe.
4. Time Outs are not exactly used as punishment but as discipline if used correctly. If at home and in a safe place time outs can be effective for cooling off periods. When a child with autism is passed the point of redirection and even if you were to give into the naughty behavior it would still not sooth them. After they have been freaking out, they no longer remember why they had gotten so angry; trying to give them whatever they want to calm them down teaches negative reinforcement. A pack and play (playpen) is a good spot for an autistic child to have their cooling off periods. I suggest a pack and play rather than a crib where most cribs are made of solid wood and they could harm themselves. This way if they throw themselves against the side of the “pack and play” then they won’t get hurt.
5. Walk away after putting them in the pack and play. Tell them you love them and they need to calm down. Tell them you are going in the next room and you will play with them when they calm down and are ready to behave. Remind them that they are in a safe place and when they cool down they can come out and then ignore the behavior. Autistic children can’t always calm themselves down right away and it can feel impossible to sooth them. HOWEVER, taking these steps with a smile on your face and love in your voice the meltdown will not last as long after you leave the room, if it didn’t stop before you left the room.
It can be hard to cope and deal with stress when you are a caregiver to an autistic child. As a caregiver of a child with autism, the stress that you feel is understandable. It is a known fact that parents of autistic children deal with more stress on a daily basis then parents of a child with other disabilities. Most autistic children have more behavioral issues and communication issues then other children, making it stressful on their parents. It’s completely understandable to get stressed out, but be active and learn ways to help cope with stress and how to handle a child with autism. Providing a child with resources to learn sociably acceptable behavior and early intervention is a gift that will follow that child for the rest of their lives. Learning about their disability will help you cope and understand them more. If you have already done some research then you already know that the most advised way to cope is to join support groups. Whether it is online or a local support group, being around other families that are going through the same situations as you can provide incredible comfort, reassurance, and valuable information on resources that will benefit your child and your peace of mind. It’s necessary to take a break and get some alone time. It might not be easy but making sure you have a good support network with someone who can help you get some time to your self will be beneficial.
Although they might not be able to express the way they feel and show you that they love you, their parents are the most important people in their lives and there is no one that a young child with autism loves more than their caregiver. Don’t take their actions personally; they are not acting out because they don’t love their caregivers. Children with autism act out because that’s the only way (right now) they know how to deal with their emotions. It can be hard in public places not to feel embarrassed or awkward when they start to act out. Having the right tools and knowing you are doing everything you can to help your child should calm your mind with that. Dealing with temper tantrums in a public place can be stressful but by minimizing the crowd, avoiding long outings, and following a strict daily routine will help minimize outburst. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do when you need to go grocery shopping but sometimes you’ll need to remove them until they calm down and then try it again.
Therapy is important for a child with autism. There are trained therapists that can help the child to excel to their full potential. Early intervention programs are designed to teach appropriate mannerisms and skills they will need throughout their lives. Never stop looking for resources to help better your child’s quality of life. Find out what your area has to offer, you may be surprised. You do not need a referral from a doctor for early intervention. The initial visit, they will come to your house, with 4-5 trained professionals to do an evaluation. This will help plan their curriculum for the child’s pacific weaknesses and strengths. The people that come to the house are very nice, and understanding. They love children and know how to work with them. They are trained professionals that love children. That is why they are there. I have nothing negative to say about early intervention and I suggest it for any child who needs it. After the initial visit they will give you the report. There is no guessing on how your child did, or what they thought. They will write you a summary and then mail you a full report. Their report is called a Developmental Profile. Mya had one done at 1 month old and had a very impressive report. I will post a copy of her report on “Mya’s Milestones Blog”. She did not qualify for their services; however I have known many children who valued from their services. After the evaluation they will set up an appointment to come to the house again to start the therapy. The second time they come will be just one and you should have the same person after that each time. That way the child gets to know one person, and become comfortable with them. They bring educational toys, show you different ways to interact with the child, and strengthen the weakness in the areas they need help in. They also explain the child’s strengths, not only focusing on the negative. They are encouraging and well trained professionals. They will set the child up with the therapist they believe will know best on how to work with the child. Most early intervention professionals are caring, compassionate, and intelligent women. Ask your doctor about other resources that are available in your community, such as play groups and therapist, support groups, and parenting classes. Be active in receiving the help the child needs to excel.
I have done some research on Bentonite clay, a detox therapy. I have recently learned many autism centers are now using this therapy. Reading some of the remarkable stories I couldn’t believe how well this has worked for children with autism. Stories have said children started having full conversations and extreme improvements on communication. Some children start singing, and it soothes them. This remarkable clay SAFETLY removes heavy metals and toxins from the body and aids in therapy success. During bath time, scoop a couple scoops into their bath water. You can make a mask and put it all over their bodies. Making sure you have a good brand and the right kind of clay makes all the difference. I will provide a link to the stories so you can read them for yourselves. It’s an amazing idea, and worth a try. I’m not guaranteeing this treatment (yet), but I am suggesting it. Not having had tried it myself yet I want to make sure it works. After reading this information, we found out Myles had autism, I immediately made a recommendation to try this. We look forward to trying this with him, and will keep an update on his progress.
Recently I discovered my husband’s cousin’s son, who is also one of my close friends, had autism. Myles is a 3 year old, active, and adorable little boy. He is going to be 3 years old in September and they recently were able to get the diagnosis confirmed. I wanted to learn all I could about autism and what I could do to help them. Before meeting Myles I didn’t know much about autism. After spending some time with them I learned a lot about him. I then did as much research as I could on the internet and found some valuable information. Knowing what I already know about children and reading online I learned a lot about autism. I’ve always been interested in learning how autism works and how to handle a child with autism. He has mild to severe spectrum autism disorder. I plan on writing a blog on his therapy; showing the results of the clay, the different therapies, and programs she involves him in. Having her input and story will benefit other people going through the same experience and looking to try new ideas. We are part of her support system and a strong support system is important. Myles will just randomly come up to me and give hugs. I love that little boy so much that I am determined to find out all I can to help them. He has different screams for different emotions. Sometimes when he needs help he will take your hand and bring you to what he needs help with. This is incredible because he’s beginning already to find new ways to communicate what he needs instead of getting angry. When Emma saw that he was upset she would pick up his Sippy Cup and bring it to him. She wanted to make him feel better. Myles loves cars and anything to do with the Cars movie. Many children with autism have obsessions; his would be his Sippy Cup, and his cars. Myles would put the baby doll into the baby swing or Bumbo seat and started playing with the dolls. This was an in creditable improvement in his development. He knows how to play with cars, but it was one of the first times he engaged in play with other toys. This also showed that he watched how we interacted with my daughter Mya. Seeing that we sometimes put her in the Bumbo seat to feed her or in her swing so she can drink her bottle, he imitated. He learned how to play with baby dolls. My daughter Emma grew very fond of him. She still asks for him at least once a day. He is such a sweet boy, and had a positive impact on our family.
I hope this article has helped for better understanding of children with autism, ways to handle outbursts and stress, ideas of different therapy, and value from other’s stories. You are not alone, and there is help out there. Be active in therapy, seek professional help and show that child all the love in the world. Never stop researching and spread awareness. When it comes down to it a child’s caregiver, it could be the mother, father, grandparents, whoever cares for the child, The caregiver is all that child has to keep them safe and provide them with the resources they need to excel. I plan on keeping updates in my blog about Myles and his improvements, and therapy. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them and coming up with new ideas for therapy. If you have any ideas or there is something you would like to add feel free to comment. Again, I have to note that not everything works for every child; you must speak with your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor is the only one who can make a diagnosis. I do not claim to know how to cure autism, and early intervention is highly suggested. Good luck on your journey! I hope for success for every child struggling with autism spectrum disorder.
TIPS:
1. Have a consistent daily schedule.
2. Explain to the child before leaving the house, going somewhere new, taking a bath, going outside, giving them a hug, eating lunch or getting them a drink, whatever is changing and what is coming next. (transitioning to the next activity) Give them time to prepare for the change before it happens.
3. Get involved in therapy and find a therapist for your child and yourself.
4. Set up consistent wake up times and bedtimes, so they are the same each day.
5. If something doesn’t work the first time, try again another time; such as not staying still for a book, or refusing to try new healthy foods.
6. Read to them at the same time every day. They will begin to expect it, and they will enjoy it. Even if they aren’t staying still sitting on your lap looking at the pictures, hearing your voice and the words may do impressive improvements to their vocabulary
7. Have a babysitter come to the house and learn the child’s routine, the way the child expects it to happen. That way nothing has to change in the child’s schedule, and the child is comfortable with the caregiver. A little change can throw off a whole day. Sometimes there are going to be times that you can’t avoid it. Think of ways to make the transition easier on the child. The better they know their sitter, the better experience will be for everyone. Take alone time, to avoid being overwhelmed with stress.
8. Keep track of success and different therapies, either in a notebook, or blog. Autism is a long journey; keeping track of the advancements can be encouraging. The child’s autism may change over time and keeping records will help keep track of progress.
9. Reach out; find support groups, go to conferences, and see what your community has to offer.
Work cited; medical information found at the following websites to insure quality information along with my own personal views and opinions. I encourage looking for as much information and resources that are available to you.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/Autism,
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-topic-overview?page=2, http://www.everydayhealth.com/autism/what-is-it.aspx