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A challenge for autistic children is understanding change. Although this tendency will continue, children on the autism spectrum benefit from social skill strategies.
Many parents report that change is upsetting for their children. Although this is true for many “typically developing” kids, change is even more upsetting for children on the autism spectrum. Autistic children rely on consistency to understand and to deal with the world. New things can cause a sense of confusion or being overwhelmed with surroundings and circumstances. For example, a child with autism may find going to the grocery store to be over-stimulating. The lights, noises, and unpredictable shoppers are overwhelming. The well-meaning clerk who “pushes” conversation and eye contact makes the experience uncomfortable or even painful. Social StoriesOften children who are autistic find “social stories” to be helpful. This concept (and the original, associated materials) was developed by Carol Gray, an experienced teacher and consultant for children with ASD. PECSThe Picture Exchange Communication System is used in many school programs for autistic children. Developed by Andrew Bondy and Lori Frost of the Pyramid Educational Consultants, this program recommends using small pre-printed pictures for communication. The non-verbal autistic child or the child on the autism spectrum who is overwhelmed may use the cards to requested things that he wants or needs. He may use the cards to communicate when he has had too much in a situation and needs to leave. Family CalendarsParents of children who are autistic often use family calendars to talk about upcoming events such as extra curricular activities, travel plans, or house guests. Using a family calendar also encourages math skills in the child with special needs. PicturesThe ease of digital cameras offers another strategy for use with children on the autism spectrum. Making extra prints of people, places, and activities is useful in discussion before the event happens. This is a way of preparing the autistic child for what to expect. Child ListsEven when autistic kids understand what to expect, the lingering question is how long it will last. Although a characteristic of autism is the difficulty in using words to express concerns, the anxiety is still there. This is the place to the proverbial “to do” list, although in this situation when the child completes the list (or mom has shopped for the items on the list or dad has made all the stops on the errands list) the activity is over. In other words, there is a definition to the activity. It is not something that will continue without end. Some planning and strategies are key to predicting the future for autistic kids in the new year.
The copyright of the article Successful Strategies and ASD in Autistic Child Parenting is owned by Lynn Moore. Permission to republish Successful Strategies and ASD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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