Has your child been diagnosed with autism? If so, have you considered autism therapy? You may have several questions about how to do what is best for your child.
You probably know that there are some things you should do and some things you should avoid altogether when your child has autism. However, there are some gray areas.
If you are trying to figure out what not to do with an autistic child, then read on. You are about to discover what not to do and the best practices that you as a parent or caregiver can use to help your child.
1. Avoiding Early Professional Help
Often when a child is diagnosed with autism, parents can panic and become depressed. It is important not to let yourself stay in this mode for too long because it will negatively impact your child.
One of the best things you can do is to seek early intervention. It is especially good if you can get this intervention between the ages of 0 to 3 years.
While it is best to start getting help it is not too late if your child has passed this age but is still eligible for certain types of therapy. The eligible therapy is often speech, physical, occupational, social and behavioral therapy. Speech therapy is very common, and you should consider reaching out to Dallas speech pathology and consulting to see what is the best course of action. Once your medical practitioner determines that your child can still benefit from these therapies, your child will improve dramatically.
2. Not Being Observant
If you already have other children who don’t have autism, you may be conditioned to listen with your ears only. However, when you have a child with autism, then you should learn how to listen with your eyes.
Remember that everything humans do, even in silence, is a form of communication. Once you understand it will be easier to interact with your child. The bottom line is that everything that your child does when they have autism will tell you something so listen with your eyes.
3. Not Paying Attention to Gross and Fine Motor Skills
When your child has autism, you need to become familiar with what it means to have gross motor and fine motor skills. Children with autism will have motor coordination problems that will need to be addressed.
However, before discussing how to address these skills, let’s take an in-depth look at what each is. Gross motor skills usually involve body movements that use muscles. It’s easy to understand why these skills are essential when you think about jumping, walking or crawling or even climbing a set of stairs all of which use gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills refer to the smaller delicate movements that your child will make these include buttoning up their shirt, writing, drawing and other delicate movements. Fine motor skills usually require a lot of hand-eye coordination, and they can be more challenging to master, especially when your child has autism.
When your child has autism, getting them physical therapy to improve their gross motor skills and occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills is important.
There is a lot that you as a parent can do with them to develop these skills. You can play sports with your child and do art and craft activities. These are sure to assist them in developing their gross and fine motor skills.
4. Misunderstand their Sensory Needs
Children with autism usually have heightened sensory needs. You may see your child making repetitive movements such as rocking themselves back and forth or even flapping their arms or spinning. These movements are an indication that they have increased sensory needs.
Obviously in certain situations, these behaviors can be very disruptive. In order to curb these behaviors, learn how a sensory diet can help your child and ask advice from an occupational therapist that can create what is called a “sensory diet” for your child.
The sensory diet will provide the sensory stimulation that your child needs while keeping their behavior is controlled and socially appropriate.
For example, if the occupational therapist finds that your child needs to jump on down or run around a room to calm themselves. They may recommend squeezing stress balls or sitting on large yoga balls. All these activities are things you can use as a parent in different situations.
Sometimes Applied Behavioural Therapy is necessary for children with autism. This type of therapy will help in the creation of a unique program to reinforce your child’s positive behavior while curbing the negative ones. You can visit here to get information about this important treatment.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New
Don’t ever be afraid to try something new when your child has autism. You never know what will trigger a positive reaction in your child that will enhance their social, psychological, educational and emotional well-being.
Involve them in art lessons, swimming lessons, music lessons and whatever else you can find that is available. If you are observant and listen with your eyes you will find the activities that best suit your child.
Once you have found an activity that your child loves always encourage them to participate regularly in it and offer the necessary guidance and praise to keep them motivated.
Understanding What Not to Do With an Autistic Child
When your child has autism there are so many things that you can do to improve their well-being. However, it is important that you also know what not to do with an autistic child.
Once you are aware of how you can properly motivate your child to be the best they can be you will be well on your way to raising a child that will enjoy their life regardless of the fact that they have autism.
It is up to you as a parent to be an advocate for your child and to make sure that your child is able to access the best treatment and therapy available to them. Do not be afraid to let your voice be heard as you advocate for your child before those who have the power and the authority to assist you in making your child have a better life.
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