| Living in our dynamic, fast changing world can be | | | | the game in front of him/her, s/he will most likely be |
| extremely stressful - even for those who are | | | | more distracted by the game or instructions than |
| processing information at a normal rate. Imagine | | | | learning how to do it. |
| moving to another country where you know only a | | | | Challenge: Once a child is clearly feeling competent, |
| limited amount of the language that the nationals | | | | step up your expectations a bit. For that instance: If |
| speak. It could be overwhelming! Now imagine trying to | | | | your child is helping you to make a dinner you've made |
| keep up the same lifestyle you now have in that | | | | together often, pretend that you don't know how to |
| country. Without the support of a trusted guide, we'd all | | | | turn on the stove or that you can't find the wooden |
| fail! What a different experience that would be if you | | | | spoon. Give him/her a chance to think about how to |
| were given more guidance, such as learning about the | | | | solve these problems. Stay quiet and wait patiently to |
| culture and foundational words in their language before | | | | see what s/he does. Step in with some support by |
| you go; or going with somebody that is familiar with | | | | demonstrating how s/he might work through this |
| that country! | | | | problem if s/he is clearly unable to accomplish this |
| As a parent, being the guide to your children is an | | | | challenge. |
| extremely important role; and when you have a child | | | | Encourage: Using sounds like "Wow!" or "ohhhh" while |
| with autism, the stress of this job is amplified all the | | | | working together can slowly build those feelings of |
| more. The pace of our world is very fast, and much | | | | competence. |
| too fast for a child with autism to process all that is | | | | Simplify: If your child is showing signs of stress (silliness, |
| necessary to function successfully. Below is the | | | | aggression, attempts to control, running off, etc.), find a |
| acronym SUCCESS, which offers 7 simple things you | | | | way to simplify the activity. For instance; If you are |
| can do to begin a successful guided relationship with | | | | throwing a ball back and forth and he is unable to |
| your child. | | | | catch it, get closer and hand him/her the ball instead of |
| Support: Give as much support as your child needs in | | | | throwing it. You might be surprised by what happens |
| order to be successful. If it means holding his/her hand | | | | when you try this. Often times it feels too simple, and |
| to walk a spoon from the table to the sink to make | | | | that's ok; remember that we are building confidence, |
| sure that s/he is able to do this, then do it! Another | | | | the challenge of actually catching the ball can come |
| way to show support is to demonstrate what you | | | | later. |
| want done so s/he's not trying to guess what it is you | | | | Short: Don't expect your child to stick with you for too |
| want him/her to do. | | | | long, especially if s/he shows a lot of resistance to |
| Uninterrupted: Find a space that is quiet and not full of | | | | participating in activities with you. Giving him/her little |
| distractions such as computers, books, toys, or siblings. | | | | opportunities in which you know s/he'll be successful is |
| Offering a quiet space for just the two of you will help | | | | a great way to lay a foundation for keeping him/her |
| him/her focus on what is important - the relationship | | | | with you longer in the future. Maybe it means that s/he |
| between you, and not the activity you are doing. This | | | | picks up the last block that was on the floor, or dumps |
| also means staying quiet yourself! Try doing activities | | | | the spaghetti noodles into the water. Remember that |
| while using as few words as possible! | | | | there will always be another chance to make the |
| Control: Stay in control of the materials you are using. If | | | | activity longer and more complicated as his/her |
| you are trying to play a game with all the materials to | | | | confidence builds. |