The learning difficulty of children with autism often makes it hard to help them — but as parents, we cannot afford to give up on our kids. I have had quite a journey with my daughter and learned an enormous amount along the way. If you have a child who is autistic, I would like to offer you some tips on how to help them.
The eight habits
- Introduce new environments, gently but deliberately.
- Visit pediatricians regularly.
- See a behavioural therapist.
- Take care of yourself, too.
- Educate your friends and family.
- Join the autism community.
- Keep learning about autism.
- Keep an eye on their school programme.
1. Get Them Into New Environments
Children with autism often show problem behaviours that make them hard to handle — I have the bite marks from my daughter to attest to it. They also prefer repetition, and find it much harder to adapt to a new environment or new activities. Even so, you sometimes need to take them into new surroundings against their wishes. It is genuinely good for their development.
2. Visit Pediatricians Regularly
As you may have already noticed, children with autism face a myriad of health challenges that add to their discomfort. Pediatricians who specialise in autism can prescribe medication or offer suggestions that relieve those health problems — and with them, raise your child's day-to-day happiness.
3. See a Behavioural Therapist
Researchers suggest that when a child with autism undergoes behavioural therapy, it can improve their behaviour and even ease some of the autistic symptoms themselves.
4. Take Care of Yourself
If your stress level runs high, it will ultimately begin to show in the way you care for your child. So while you are booking that appointment for your child — book one for yourself as well.
5. Educate Your Friends and Family
The stigma coming from your own friends and family is likely to fade once you help them understand autism better. That is one less weight on your shoulders — and on your child's.
6. Join the Autism Community
I learned invaluable lessons from parents of autistic children the moment I joined an autism community. Nothing replaces the advice of someone who has already walked your road.
7. Keep Learning About Autism
I used to scold my daughter — until I learned she was autistic. The more you learn about autism and how it works, the better the care you can give.
8. Check Their School Programme
Make sure the school is truly doing its best for your child — and if possible, engage an advocate to help you spot anything you might have missed.
None of these eight things is dramatic on its own. But stacked together, week after week, they changed the shape of our life. Start with whichever one feels possible today.
