There is no ultimate test for diagnosing autistic spectrum disorder. For a lot of families, coping with their child’s capability and behavior is considered the most practical approach to managing this.
How can you care for your child with autism the right way? Here are some tips.
- If you are concerned that your child may have autism, consult a professional and ask for an evaluation for your child.
- Begin keeping a journal for your kid. A developmental history is required before an individual can be diagnosed with autism. Your specialist might require you to fill out a questionnaire regarding your child’s development and behavior patterns. So keeping a journal will be very helpful, since it will help you recall instances when you notice things. This will also come in handy when you are already in the process of helping your child modify his behavior, because you can see what works and what doesn’t at a glance. Your journal will also aid in pinpointing your child’s behavior patterns and what triggers problem behaviors.
- Have the right perception. There may be instances when you see progress and naturally this will give joy to the family. But this happiness might be short-lived, for the next day things might go in reverse. Don’t be disheartened! It is true that learning what doesn’t work for your child may prove to be beneficial to him in the long run is as equally important as knowing what works for him so you will learn what to avoid./li>
- Maintain a routine. There are lots of autistic children who are independent, but still would want an established routine for security.
- Seek support. Support does not necessarily mean caretakers for children with autism. It can also refer to individuals whom you trust to mentor your child and care for them.
- Learn the importance of using stimuli. Majority of the time, children with autism are visually oriented. Children who cannot talk communicate with the use of sign language or by pointing out pictures. Even children with autism who can actually talk can benefit by using a visual chart detailing their daily activities. Creating a picture chart will help a lot.
- Check if there are early intervention programs in your community. Contact the school district to identify if they have special pre-school programs. Children as early as 3 years old should be evaluated. The earlier, the better!