Autism is a developmental disorder identified through impaired communication, social interaction, and behavior challenges. Autism also referred to as autism spectrum disorder not only affects the lives of the individual but also affects their families, friends and their surroundings.
This condition not only affects how a person thinks, feels, and interacts with others but also how they interact and experience the environment around them. ASD, as it is commonly known is different for every other person. The symptoms are reflected in the early stages of life and stays with them for a lifetime. A proper definition of ASD is very difficult as it displays a wide range of characteristics ranging from emotional to behavioral.
Signs of Autism
Autism is also called spectrum disorder as there is much variation in the type of symptoms experienced and the severity of those symptoms. However, it usually takes a specialist to evaluate and diagnose the signs of ASD. Besides having language problems, children with ASD may show the following signs of autism:
- avoid eye contact
- prefer being alone, exhibit little or no interest in others, or have trouble relating to others
- fail to understand or recognize others’ feelings, or cannot express their feelings
- dislike being touched or held
- repeat words, or actions such as rocking, spinning, or flapping arms
- cling to routine and have trouble with transitions or disruptions in schedules
- exhibit sensitivity to tastes, smells, and sounds, developing strong preferences and aversions
However, not all autistic children exhibit all of the symptoms. Many children who do not have autism can also show such few signs, hence professional evaluation is crucial.
Challenges associated with autism
- Individuals with ASD often face challenges due to how they behave, communicate, and learn. These differences create problems in social interaction which lead to problems at school, stress in the families, and social isolation.
- They are often the victims of unkind jokes and bullying.
- Autistic kids also have a tough time in normal educational set-ups and teachers usually struggle to accommodate their learning styles and needs. Children with ASD often stop their education after high school unless they have exceptional abilities.
- They also have trouble getting a job and mostly rely on their family members.
Parenting Autism
Families and caregivers of ASD individuals have their own challenges.
- The child may be hyperactive or may have trouble, eating or speaking. Some might experience seizures as well, making it necessary to give them proper care and attention through the day.
- ASD children have meltdowns due to frustration or overstimulation which leads them to become aggressive and destructive if they are not able to express their needs and, in this process, they might harm the ones near them or themselves.
- Normal life with an ASD kid is far from reality although normalcy can be brought. However, it takes a lot of time to develop the patience that is required to deal with an autistic kid.
- Parenting Autism requires a lot of patience as there can be hours of watching the same video, random jumping or it can be random meltdowns or highly sensory issues.
- Therapy and treatments are routine in their life and this restricts them for leading a normal life.
- Parents with autistic kids may suffer from irritation and tiredness as they seek to educate themselves and others about ASD while also managing the behavior of their kids.
- Early intervention allows children with ASD to acquire social and other abilities. However, scheduling the appropriate assessments and determining how to identify and treat co-occurring mental health issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression may be difficult.
Tips for parents with ASD individuals
By now, we know that it is difficult to parent an autistic child. It may be useful to understand how autism feels to the autistic individual. Having an autistic family member necessitates adjustment but also provides an opportunity for understanding and joy. Children with autism often have surprising talents, such as creative or mathematical abilities and this high functioning autism can flourish if they get the right guidance.
Involving siblings, teachers, and guardians as understanding supporters can help autistic children and teenagers work better in the world while also fostering empathy in others. Raising a kid with autism can be difficult, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Many decisions must be taken as a parent to guarantee your child’s progress, health, and happiness.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for Help: Raising a kid with ASD can be overwhelming but there are resources available as well as Autism support groups and organizations. There are different services like Special education programs, Occupational therapy, and Speech therapies. So, ask for help when needed as there is no shame in it!
- Forming a Routine: Building a routine for children with autism helps to reduce anxiety and confusion in them and helps them to understand things easily. Children should be given their own time to complete their tasks and can be rewarded with positive reinforcement.
- Create a comfortable environment: ASD kids are highly sensitive, so anything with excessive visual stimulation is quite irritating for them. Comfortable temperature and no bright lights are a must for ASD kids. Parents can also use calming activities like coloring or reading. In case of overstimulation, try breathing exercises warm baths, or playing soothing music. Listening to your child and understanding their emotional and physical needs is a must.
- Use of Visual Aids: Visual aids may be a great tool in helping your autistic kid acquire new skills and control behavior. Simple pictures to elaborate charts and graphs are examples of visual aids. You may assist your child in grasping what is expected of them by showing them visual representations of chores and expectations.
- Patience: When it comes to educating autistic children, patience is essential. It is critical to recognize that your child perceives the world differently, which might result in unexpected or problematic behaviors. Over time they also learn how to behave in a certain way.
- Social Interaction: Encourage your autistic kids to interact with his or her family and friends. Organize play dates or ask children to join in activities. Openly explore your child’s social interactions with them and give responses and encouragement. Make a secure setting in which they may practice new skills.
- Self-Care Skills: It is critical to encourage your autistic child to take care of themselves. Make sure that kids understand the need for basic personal hygiene, such as cleaning their teeth, washing their hands, and taking showers. Teach children how to dress and eat on their own. Reward or praise should be used to reinforce these abilities. Learning self-care might help them gain independence and strengthen their self-esteem.
While, parenting kids with autism is not without its own challenges, it can be done! All you need is the correct guidance and support system. North American Behavioral Health Services allows you to get the support you need as you navigate this tough journey. From informational and factual resources, guide to specialists and redirecting you to the correct centers, NABHS is with you on this journey of parenting an autistic kid.
