What Not To Do With An Autistic Child: Do's & Don'ts

There are certain things you shouldn't do with a child on the spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It affects how children interact and interact with others. This disorder is called a spectrum disorder because children can be anywhere on the autism spectrum.

Children with autism begin to show symptoms at an early age. Symptoms persist into childhood and adulthood. Health care providers do not know why some children develop ASD. It could be a combination of the genes they were born with and something in their environment that triggers those genes.

Children with autism have difficulty connecting with other people. They have difficulty making eye contact. They often withdraw into themselves. They may not be interested in family members.

But some children with ASD may enjoy talking with family members, friends, and even strangers about a subject they are obsessed with. The problem is that they can talk about it for too long. Or they can just talk about this topic. It can alienate other people.

If you are a parent or grandparent of a child with ASD, it can be heartbreaking to feel like you just can’t connect with them. But learning more about these disorders and what has helped others can help you and your relationship.

ASD. But there is hope through treatment. Many children can learn to communicate and communicate. Health care providers and mental health professionals have learned a lot about how to treat these children.

Facts about children with Autism

They may not understand your non-verbal communication. They may not respond to your smile or frown.

They take things literally. You have to be careful to say exactly what you mean. If you rush the child by saying, “Twitch,” don’t be surprised if he asks where to go.

They may only be able to process one thought or idea at a time. Keep conversations focused and simple.

They may only want to talk about one thing that really interests them at any given time. And they may want to talk about it again and again.

They may see things differently than you do. You may not even notice normal sounds, tastes, touches, smells and sights. But they can be physically painful for the child.

Communication and Communication Tips for ASD

There are no hard and fast rules for communicating with a child with ASD. But many family members were able to follow these tips:

1. Be patient. A child with ASD often takes longer to process information. You may need to slow the conversation down to their speed. Long breaks can help.
2. Teach the child to express anger without being too aggressive. Children with ASD should know that they don’t have to keep their anger and frustration inside.
3. Be persistent, but persistent. Don’t let your feelings get hurt if your child doesn’t respond to you the way you want. Children with ASD may have difficulty both showing and controlling their emotions. They can be direct in their answers. Don’t take it personally.
4. Always stay positive. Children with ASD respond best to positive reinforcement. Remember to talk or reward good behavior often. Be generous and give compliments for good behavior.
5. Ignore annoying attention grabbing behavior. A child with ASD may sometimes misbehave so that you can focus on them. Ignoring this behavior is often the best way to avoid it. The child’s good behavior is often talked about and rewarded.
6. Communication through physical activity. Children with ASD typically have short attention spans. This is especially true for communication. Running and playing outside can be a better way to spend time together. It also allows them to relax and feel calmer.
7. Be loving and respectful. Children with ASD often need a hug, just like other children. Sometimes they need it much more than other children. But some children don’t like touch at all, even a light touch can annoy them. Respect their personal space. Never force physical affection on an unwanted child.
8. Show your love and interest. Children with ASD may have difficulty showing their emotions. But they still need to know that you love them. Do everything you can to express your interest, concern and support.
9. Learn from your child. Your child’s special needs and abilities can show you a way of looking at the world that you never thought possible. As hard as it is sometimes, relaxing, laughing and enjoying the unique gift of a child can do you and your family so much good.
10. Faith. A child with autism is first and foremost a child. They are a growing person with unknown possibilities. Believe in what the child can do. Do not name a child with a diagnosis.
11. Take care of yourself. It’s okay to take a break. Join a parent support group. Or ask understanding family and friends to babysit for you so you can offload. School psychologists and counselors can also provide resources to help you.

Communicating with a child or grandchild with ASD can be difficult. But it is one of the most important things you can do to help your child learn. Research shows that early, frequent and loving involvement of family members is one of the best ways to help children with ASD.