Understanding and Managing Your Autistic Child's Behavior

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone! Today we are going to take a step forward and talk about some helpful tips for you as a parent if your child does have autism. When my nephew was first diagnosed with autism, I remember that my sister was so overwhelmed and did not know how to act with him. She would get very frustrated with him, and just didn’t really understand his way of thinking.

About.com is a great source for many "How-to" pieces, from how to succeed as a substitute teacher” to “How to make a cheesecake.” It’s a really interesting site because the articles are written by many different authors, each with different skills and experiences. About.com features a great article written by Lisa Jo Rudy, a mother of a child who has Autism. It explains some ways to understand and control the behavior of your child with Autism.

According to Lisa Jo Rudy, from about.com, these ten tips can lead to a calmer family life with a child who has autism.

Top 10 Tips for Understanding and Managing Your Autistic Child's Behavior

1. Know Your Child

Rudy says that most of the time children with Autism are not trying to be "bad." Instead of overreacting, you may think, "Is my child extra-senstivitve to sound and light?" or "Does she need lots of sensory input?" Rudy says that the more you know, the easier it is to take care of a tough situation.

2. Modify Your Expectaions

Rudy suggests that rather than expecting your child to sit through an entire dinner, set small goals, such as sitting still for three minutes, or eating with a fork.

3. Modify Your Experience

"Safety is the key," Rudy says. She suggests bolting shelves and walls to the floor, locking cabinets, and putting a dead bolt in the door. She says that extra measures must be taken for children with autism.

4. Consider the Possible Sources of the Behavior

Rudy says that many children with autism either crave or over-respond to sensory input. She says that if your child is acting out, it may be a reaction to too much or too little sensory input. She says to observe your child to find out.

5. Remove Overwhelming Sensory Input

Rudy suggests that when your child is over-reacting to sensory input, that you should change the situation or distract the child. You may do this by avoiding overwhelming sensory settings such as parades, or consider ear plugs and distracting toys to get their mind off it.

6. Provide Sensory Input

Rudy says that if your child crashes into couches or climbs the walls, she's probably craving sensory input. You can provide this in more appropriate ways, such as bear hugs, or rolling her up like a "hot dog" in a blanket. Make it fun.

7.Look for Positive Outlets for Unusual Behaviors

While climbing or spinning in a store may be "bad" behavior, Rudy says that spinning on a swing and climbing at a rock gym are quite fine. While it may be wrong in one setting, find a setting that they can have fun and act appropriately.

8. Enjoy Your Child's Successes

Rudy explains that it is important to encourage your child and congratulate him even with his successes that may seem small, such as kicking a ball or saying "yes" to a playdate.

9. Worry Less About Others' Opinions

Rudy says not to worry about other parents and children when you are out in public, but focus on your child and to treat him or her as you would if you were alone.

10. Find Ways to Have Fun Together

Rudy explains that it is important to have fun with your child, and bouncing on a trampoline or cuddling together can be a blast for you both. She said that sometimes it's better to just enjoy being silly with your child.

As Always, thanks for reading and please let me know what you think of the advice that Lucy Jo Rudy gave.

References

Rudy, L. J. (n.d.). Tips for Understanding and Managing Your Autistic Child's Behavior. Retrieved October 23, 2009, from http://autism.about.com/od/autismhowtos/tp/behavetips.htm