In the United States alone, one in every 68 children are born with ADS or autism spectrum disorder, a condition which can put a great deal of pressure on both parent and child. Thankfully, as a result of the hard work done by people like Chris Manente, there is more support out there for autism than there has ever been before and more charities who are dedicated to helping those with autism than have ever been registered in the past.
With this additional support for parents of children with ADS, living with a child who is suffering is not as complicated as it once was and research has given us lots of great information for how best to manage children with ADS. If you have a child who suffers from autism then here are some top tips on best caring for them.
Create a Safe Zone
Such is the nature of autism that there will be times when your child needs to go to a safe space in order to relax and calm themselves down. You should try and have a bit of fun with this and include your child in the design of their ‘safety zone’. Experts say that having a tranquil and calming environment for your child will help with the child and the parent when things get a little fraught.
Watch For Triggers
It is important as a parent that you keep an eye out for triggers which could cause your child to feel under pressure or bewildered which could result in a tantrum. Over the years you will be able to spot these triggers and intervene before things get out of control. Often it can be something as simple as hunger which your child feels that could cause them to get frustrated and watching out for non-verbal signs will help to ensure that you can avoid problems before they arise.
Keep It Routine
Experts often describe those suffering from autism as perceiving the World to be in chaos, your job as parent is to do your best to add some normality to this chaos. You can best do this with a strict daily routine that you will stick to each day. Don’t consider any part of the day to unimportant, whether it is the time that your child goes to bed, watches a program or takes a bath, ensure that each day, they do the same as the day before, this will greatly help your child to stay in control of their emotions.
Treat Them As A Child
Many professionals in the industry have been speaking recently about the importance of still treating your child as a child and not as a patient. You will of course need to treat them differently in some aspects but over and above everything else, they are a child who likes to have fun and learn just like any other child. It can be easier said than done, but try your best to avoid treating your child as anything other than what they are.