Helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to make sense of their world can be overwhelming. However, planning ahead helps uncover the signs of autism and types of autism among the children. This may bring more success in the course of autism therapy they rightfully deserve.
Likewise, parents are able to discover what works and what does not for their autistic kids. By understanding the dos & don’ts when it comes to parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, they will learn and grow despite their challenges.
5 Things Parents SHOULD DO with an Autistic Child
Firstly, for those wondering what is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) generally – it is a form of developmental disability involving challenges in social, communication, and behaviour.
Though the journey among parents of autistic children is not easy, we urge you not to be discouraged. On the contrary, celebrating small wins and progressing along the way whilst staying your most positive self does give you the right push when you need it the most. Additionally, let’s look at some practical tips every parent should attempt in raising their little ones.
Accept, Research, Plan
Accept that it will be tricky at times in parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By accepting your child as who they are, you can only help them wholeheartedly from a place of love. Next, parents can help autistic kids by understanding their conditions through in-depth research. And with enough research on how you can help them, comes with a plan that involves parenting approaches, therapeutic support and alternative education.
Uphold Consistency & Structure
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to do best when the routine is consistent. Resist the temptation to change things up, especially the tasks they learn and do well during their therapy sessions. In addition, a structured environment for autistic kids strengthens their learning journey in the long run.
Find Nonverbal Ways to Bond
Connect with a child with autism at a deeper level with the help of their nonverbal cues. Parents should pay attention to how their kids communicate. Be mindful of their facial expressions, gestures and sounds they make in various circumstances. Furthermore, parents should take note of different kinds of triggers that cause children with ASD to display disruptive behaviours.
Reinforce Positive Behaviours & Conducts
Rather than focusing on negative conduct, parents of autistic children should steer their attention towards their positive behaviours. Your consistency in reinforcing this alongside praise and reasonable rewards motivates your children to keep on learning at their own pace. Moreover, this action increases the level of confidence among children with ASD.
Get Help, Support & Resources
Rest assured that you are not alone, and you do not have to handle everything on your own. Raising a child with special needs is a demanding task as conventional parenting on its own is not ever easy. Take advantage of reliable autism resources for parents and get the help you need. For instance, autism support groups for parents or support services for autism in Australia provide a safe space for parents to share the burden with one another. In addition, both parents and autistic kids will gain ongoing support via We Care Workshops. It is a workshop program to support a better family quality of life. Through their virtual learning sessions, parents of an autistic child are surprised by the amount of resources they picked up. The We Care Workshops offer parents with:
- opportunities to connect with parents & professionals in a supportive environment
- parental self-care tips & evidence-based interventions that support your wellbeing
- reliable information sources & websites that support everything you wish to know
- knowledge about navigating the NDIS that support autistic child’s development
5 Things Parents SHOULD NOT DO with an Autistic Child
It is not always a good idea to apply what feels natural to you as a parent of an autistic child. There are several things to modify from the orthodox parenting style to meet an autistic child’s special needs.
Do Not Blame Yourself or Others
Avoid taking things too personally when your child with ASD does not do tasks according to your expectations. Try to steer clear from blaming your life partner or yourself in the course of raising children with autism. Moreover, parents should be flexible and keep their emotions in check from time to time.
Do Not Give up or Give in
Parents should not neglect their little ones just because it is challenging to undergo parenting with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Besides not giving up, parents should not give in to autistic kids’ negative behaviours or tantrums. Instead, be patient and get advice from the therapist on how to handle these challenging situations.
Do Not Involve in Competitive Parenting
You should not compare your child with others and feel like your little one is not good enough. Though it is normal to think that your child with ASD is being left behind, reassure yourself that every child’s journey is different. Also, competitive parenting often leads to impatience among parents of autistic children.
Do Not Provide Complicated Instructions
Avoid uttering a string of instructions all in one sentence. Instead, parents should simply talk to their children with ASD by breaking down the complexity. Keeping the sentences short and straightforward allows children with autism to process verbal commands much more quickly.
Do Not Mandate on Eye Contact
Autistic kids will find it challenging to look at others’ eyes whilst communicating. Do not force your little ones to look straight into your eyes or try to meet their eye levels. However, parents of autistic child should accept their child’s behaviour as some never grasp the skills to look at others’ eyes via practice.
Parenting A Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
You are not alone in the journey of helping your child with ASD. Support autistic kids from a place of love and know that every child’s journey is unique. There are numbers of help in the form of therapeutic care or autism workshops that offer professional development support. Parents should involve themselves in autism support groups for parents and kids who deserve the very best of care. And together with We Care Workshops, let’s bring all autistic kids a better environment and approach to grow at their own pace.
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