| If your child has been diagnosed with high | | | | Tip 3 - Create a personalized behavior plan - |
| functioning autism, parenting can be a | | | | You can't rely on the parenting methods that |
| challenge. The main reason is because | | | | work for parents with regular children, or |
| autistics do not think and mentally develop | | | | even those who have a child with high |
| the same way as the average child, and so | | | | functioning autism. You need to create a |
| must be taught individually and differently. | | | | program that is specifically oriented around |
| Therefore, the challenge is finding out what | | | | the interests and needs of your child. This |
| parenting methods work for your autistic | | | | means analyzing your child's behavior and |
| child. Essentially, it's a lot of trial and | | | | creating a personal program based on his/her |
| error. | | | | behavioral patterns. This is how you will |
| | | | eventually get your child to learn, respond |
| Raising a child with high functioning autism | | | | and interact with others. |
| can be made easier by providing children with | | | | |
| the necessary therapy they require. However, | | | | Tip 4 - Focus on improvement - Instead of |
| aside from therapy, the following are 5 basic | | | | trying to explain to your child what you |
| parenting tips that may prove helpful along | | | | don't like when they do something you deem |
| the way: | | | | inappropriate or unproductive, focus on |
| | | | improving their behavior. If you want to |
| Tip 1 - Create Schedules - Most autistics, | | | | improve on past behaviors, teach new |
| including those with high functioning autism, | | | | "acceptable" ones to replace the old. |
| resist change and insist on routine. Creating | | | | |
| schedules helps autistic children to better | | | | Teaching new behavioral skills will take |
| comprehend situations and learn. You need to | | | | plenty of time, patience and practice, but |
| provide your child with a daily schedule that | | | | eventually the new acceptable behaviors will |
| shows him/her the order of activities they | | | | replace those you don't approve of. |
| will experience. If your child has difficulty | | | | |
| reading, create a picture schedule. | | | | Tip 5 - Sensitivity alert! - Make sure you |
| | | | are aware of the triggers that will upset |
| Furthermore, telling a child in advance that | | | | your child, so you can do your best to ensure |
| an activity is about to change, helps to | | | | they are avoided. Some issues that tend to |
| create an easier transition for them. For | | | | upset those with high functioning autism |
| instance, tell your child "In 5 minutes, | | | | include, but are not limited to: |
| we're going to stop coloring and read a | | | | |
| story". | | | | - Sudden loud sounds (IE. alarms) |
| | | | |
| Tip 2 - Create understanding - Make sure your | | | | - Unusual smells in a particular room |
| child understands what you want him/her to | | | | |
| do. Ensure that the task you are asking is | | | | - Discomfort when touched |
| achievable and you understand the specific | | | | |
| way in which your child learns and reacts to | | | | - Being bumped |
| information told to him/her. | | | | |
| | | | Although you can't ensure your child will |
| For instance, you should refrain from using | | | | always be safe from sensitive issues, by |
| figures of speech as part of instruction. A | | | | knowing what they are helps you to have more |
| figure of speech is when you use an | | | | control. Like any child, the less stress your |
| expression that has a non-literal meaning | | | | autistic child has, the more productive they |
| (IE. metaphors, similes, etc.) This form of | | | | will be. |
| language will be lost on an autistic. Thus, a | | | | |
| better choice would be to use a visual aid | | | | Remember, as a parent of a child with high |
| such as a picture or a demonstration, to | | | | functioning autism, you need to learn how to |
| clarify the task. | | | | go with the flow, be creative, patient - and |
| | | | above all - maintain a positive attitude. |