"What I hear, I forget; what I see, I
remember; what I do, I understand....."
Below is some information on
ways to help your Autistic Spectrum Disorder Child/Children I
hope that you find this information helpful. It is not an
exhaustive list of what you can do just a few tips to help
you!!!
Keep instructions as simple as
possible and as clear as possible try to remove all the
"unnecessary" words that do not provide the child with any "key"
information and ALWAYS use their name first!!
EXAMPLE
DON'T SAY ....... "Would you mind coming over here and
sitting next to me please"
This gives the child an option and often the response will be
"NO!"
DO SAY ..... "Joe, come and sit here." Point to where you
mean for him/her to sit
This gives a clear and simple instruction to the child and
cannot be misunderstood!!
Also don't use the word "DON'T" as often this is not understood
by the child and, therefore result in him/her carrying on
regardless ..... If you say "Don't throw the sand!" Your child
may just simply hear "Throw the sand"!!!! Which is exactly what
you do not want them to do so try to say something else
constructive and positive like "Put the sand in the bucket."
This should result in him/her doing just that and will stop
throwing the sand!!
Always use the same words for things .... This is VERY
important to make sure your child does not get confused.
EXAMPLE
If you use the word "spoiling" in the context of "Has Grannie
been spoiling you?" the meaning will then become one of getting
sweets or presents or anything else nice!! If it is then used in
the context of "You are spoiling things for the others" The
child will become bewildered as he/she is not "spoiling" anyone
in his eyes as he is not giving anyone sweets or presents
etc!!!!!
This is a minefield for our children and the confusion needs to
be minimized as much as is possible!! It is, therefore, very
important that you use the same instructions when
teaching your child new skills as this will bring the quickest
results!!
Try to keep the day as structured as possible and as predictable
as possible as this brings the child the greatest sense of
security if they know what is going to happen during their day
and thus reduces a great deal of stress and anxiety on both
their part and yours!!! If you do have to change the routine try
to give your child warning and be as specific as possible don't
tell them "Later we will be going shopping" as this will cause
him/her to ask you every few minutes when are you going shopping
leave it until closer to the event and say "When you have
finished .... (playing with, drawing etc.) we will be going
shopping" This gives your child an idea of when this is going to
take place and thus reduces stress and anxiety.
Remember above all else that your child is relying on you to
provide a calm and safe place in this chaotic world we live in
and needs to know that the home routine will always be a
constant and mostly unchanging one. I know that this may seem
impossible and overwhelming at first but once you have a
structured routine in place you will wonder why you didn't do it
before!! Peace and harmony do not always reign and outbursts and
tantrums will persist but if you stay constant in your ways of
handling your child you will cope!!!
©2003 & Beyond
