How to cope with a child with autism

•  Background:

Autism is a developmental disorder usually found in children at an early age. The children who suffer from autism experience difficulty in communicating and interacting with others. Boys are more likely to have autism than girls.

If a child is diagnosed as being autistic, it is important that his/her carer(s) learn to cope with certain behavioral aspects common in an autistic child. Dealing with a child with condition can, at times, be overwhelming; therefore, by instilling certain methods of behavior in a child, the relationship between the two will become much less stressful.

•  Types of autism:

Autism is classified based on the severity of the symptoms and total disability as:

• Classic Autism
• Asperger Syndrome
• Rett's Syndrome

•  Causes:

Cause of autism is not fully understood, although research has supported that it is a familial disorder. Social factors and person's surrounding play a significant role in development or promotion of autistic behavior in children.

•  Symptoms check list:

The child may not show any symptoms. They may not be exclusive or diagnostic to autism.

Some of the symptoms of autism in a child may include the following:

• Child likes to stay/play alone
• Child may show tantrums or attacking behavior
• Avoids eye-to-eye contact
• Tendency to hurt himself
• Uncontrolled, and uneven movements
• Would not like to respond to others

•  Teaching a child with Autism:

To find if your child has autism, can actually be a difficult task for the parents. Teaching strategy for child with autism should be multi-directional. Coping with autism can be tricky sometimes, as the children with autism tend to get violent, and may even bite, throw objects and are full of tantrums.

The best way to cope with child having autism:

•  Education is the best way to assist autistic children.

•  Target those points that are stronger in your child. Autistic children are good withtheir sense of touch. So, use plastic toys/alphabets/numbers games to teach them.

•  Keep a child with autism busy in family affairs; include them in the conversation.

•  Start early. Working on your child's communication difficulties early. Use variouspicture or toy based-methods, gestures to teach your children. With time, childrenwill better their communication skills. This will help relieve their aggressive behavior& help improve behavioral habits.

•  Celebrate your child's achievements and positive responses to the therapy.

•  Create an enjoyable environment at home to avoid trouble.

•  Bring constant, but familiar changes to your home environment, just to help themlearn to cope with the changing environment.

•  Go for individualized behavioral therapy exercises.

•  Autism Awareness:

IEC (Information, Education & Consultation) is the key for autism. They are the best ways to bring long-term changes in your children and to assist them improve & bring positive personality & behavioral changes.

•  Autism and Asperger Syndrome:

Asperger syndrome is a kind of autistic disorder. Autism and asperger syndrome are similar in many ways. Person affected usually shows weak language and behavior skills. People affected with asperger syndrome show a normal intellectual capability and are good learners. They also exhibit difficulty in social adjustments, recognizing facial lexis and not exhibiting bodily gestures in a normal manner.