Best Practices to Improve the Life of a Child with Autism
Positive Reinforcement • March 4, 2022
There are so many things parents and caregivers can do to help a child with autism thrive. Here are some of the most common recommendations.
Life on a Schedule
Children with autism typically benefit from the structure of routine. Because of this, putting and keeping a daily schedule in place is one important step to helping a child be more at ease with the world around them.
Awareness of Sensitivities
Autism is frequently accompanied by over- or under-sensitivity to various sensory inputs such as sights, smells, sounds, lights, pain, or tactile stimuli. Being aware of a child’s individual sensitivities lets a caregiver avoid such stimuli for a child who may be over-sensitive, for example, providing earmuffs to block out too much sound or being choosy about clothing fabrics to avoid sensory issues. Likewise, a child who is under-sensitive can be provided additional stimuli such as weighted blankets or opportunity for extra movement, depending on their specific needs.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a common tool for ABA therapy, and can also be used at home to reinforce desired behaviors. Reinforcement can include tangible rewards as well as verbal praise. It is just as important to get to know your child’s interests and likes—what makes them tick and motivates them—as it is to know their dislikes and sensitivities.
Communication
Establishing avenues of communication is critical for understanding the wants and needs of any child. Children with autism often have a difficult time communicating verbally, and sometimes this difficulty leads to the child trying to communicate through crying, whining, tantrums, aggression, or other undesirable behaviors. If verbal language is a challenge, this makes it all the more important to find alternatives—such as communication devices, sign-language, or pictures cards—for a child to express their wants and needs.
Early Intervention
Methodical intervention, as early as possible, is one of the most reliable ways to improve the quality of life for a child with autism. Autism can be diagnosed as early as 2 years old, and there are options for therapy based on careful evaluation of each individual child.
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