In some ways, providing care for children with Autism is not too dissimilar to providing care for other children, with the exception that it requires more and sometimes significantly more patience and effort and what may typically be a spontaneous response from many children will be more guarded and difficult from a child with autism.
Perhaps you can think about it this way. A child with Autism is sort of like many teenagers, in their own world, wanting little to do with their family, and non communicative. If you were a parent of such a teenager I might recommend you get into their world and spend time with them there. This does not mean that you would engage in illegal, immoral, or unethical activities. I would not want you to start smoking pot or taking other drugs and attending inappropriate parties with your teenagers. I would want you to perhaps read some of the books they are reading so that you can discuss it with them, play some of the appropriate games they are playing, and learn about things they are interested in. Eventually you might be able to get your teen to have his or her friends over to your house for an appropriate party that while you are not right in the same room all the time, you can keep an eye on and assure that it is safe. You would want to find out what kid of food and legal drink they really like and provide if for the party. As you find out what their interests are and you learn more about their interest, instead of trying to show that you know a lot, you might ask them intelligent questions about the subject. Eventually they just might be interested in things that interest you and you might have a real relationship again.
12 comments:
This is very interesting to me. I am a total believer of "getting into a child's world and spending time with them there." I work with autistic children and I often wonder if parents and other people who work with children on the spectrum have heard of Floor Time as a form of child led play therapy. This is just what you stated above, getting into the child's world, letting them be the leader, and playing with them there.
One of the interventions I like is called P.L.A.Y. and it is based on floortime. You'll find information about it and other best practice interventions at: http://www.bestoutcomes.blogspot.com/
Does a preschool-age child with Autism progress and learn faster in a less stimulating environment than a daycare program full of typically developing children? It seems like all the stimulation would be unsettling. Or is that environment good for them, as long as the caregiver has an understanding of Autism and is patient with the child?
That's really an astute question. The answer is it depends. Almost all children grow and learn more in a stimulating environment; however, you do have to be careful with children with autism, expecially some with sensory issues. Because of this it's a good idea to consult with a specialist, such as an occupational therapist who knows Autism, and this particular child well in order to learn the best way to create a stimulating but not over powering or over stressful environment.
I have never seen this type of comparsment very interesting and kinda makes a good understand to both professionals and parents.
I think relating to children is so important in understanding their needs and being able to help them.
A child in my preschool room has autism. After spending time with this child I noticed he had a love for music. He had a favorite song called Going On A Bear Hunt. I noticed when he would get agitated I would play this song and he would calm down. Even the other children in the classroom noticed this song calmed him down and would ask me to play this song for the child.
I don't know if anyone else has seen the television series, Parenthood, but one of the story lines follows a boy who is diagnosed won the spectrum and what his family goes through in finding ways to work with his disorder. What I think would be the most heartbreaking as a parent of a child with autism is this lack of interest, and almost a lack of emotional awareness that is a symptom. The show goes into a lot of detail on this.
P.L.A.Y. fascinates me... I think he's really onto something big. Unfortunately, states don't have the time or money to deal with those types of programs, but parents highly invested with their children's success will.
Another great way to demonstrate how you CAN connect and help with people with autism.
I implemented this in my preschool class as well as with my own son (who we suspect might have ASD). Getting into the child's world was incredible, even in children without ASD.
With my preschool class, I have a few tough cookies who I can't crack to open up and do things in a group setting so it was nice to get to know them on their own level and let them teach me. It taught me a lot with how they may learn based on how they taught me. I enjoyed it.
I used this on my son who we recently suspected might have ASD. He has an obsession with hot wheel cars and track so having him tell me what car to use, when to use the tow truck, how to build a track, etc was an eye opener. My child is speech delayed with most communication but he let me know well what to do with his toys. I loved having that time with him. And I now understand his fascination with building immaculate tracks!
My son does not have that hard of a time with the regular classes in school he loves it and always has a ton to say about what he did that day in class. He just needs a bit of help with his reading and writting so he has an inclusion iep which works wonders for him.
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