Raising Children With High Functioning Autism

If your child has been diagnosed with high functioningcan't rely on the parenting methods that work for
autism, parenting can be a challenge. The main reasonparents with regular children, or even those who have
is because autistics do not think and mentally developa child with high functioning autism. You need to create
the same way as the average child, and so must bea program that is specifically oriented around the
taught individually and differently. Therefore, theinterests and needs of your child. This means analyzing
challenge is finding out what parenting methods workyour child's behavior and creating a personal program
for your autistic child. Essentially, it's a lot of trial andbased on his/her behavioral patterns. This is how you
error.will eventually get your child to learn, respond and
Raising a child with high functioning autism can beinteract with others.
made easier by providing children with the necessaryTip 4 - Focus on improvement - Instead of trying to
therapy they require. However, aside from therapy, theexplain to your child what you don't like when they do
following are 5 basic parenting tips that may provesomething you deem inappropriate or unproductive,
helpful along the way:focus on improving their behavior. If you want to
Tip 1 - Create Schedules - Most autistics, includingimprove on past behaviors, teach new "acceptable"
those with high functioning autism, resist change andones to replace the old.
insist on routine. Creating schedules helps autisticTeaching new behavioral skills will take plenty of time,
children to better comprehend situations and learn. Youpatience and practice, but eventually the new
need to provide your child with a daily schedule thatacceptable behaviors will replace those you don't
shows him/her the order of activities they willapprove of.
experience. If your child has difficulty reading, create aTip 5 - Sensitivity alert! - Make sure you are aware of
picture schedule.the triggers that will upset your child, so you can do
Furthermore, telling a child in advance that an activity isyour best to ensure they are avoided. Some issues
about to change, helps to create an easier transitionthat tend to upset those with high functioning autism
for them. For 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 child- Unusual smells in a particular room
understands what you want him/her to do. Ensure that- Discomfort when touched
the task you are asking is achievable and you- Being bumped
understand the specific way in which your child learnsAlthough you can't ensure your child will always be
and reacts to information told to him/her.safe from sensitive issues, by knowing what they are
For instance, you should refrain from using figures ofhelps you to have more control. Like any child, the less
speech as part of instruction. A figure of speech isstress your autistic child has, the more productive they
when you use an expression that has a non-literalwill be.
meaning (IE. metaphors, similes, etc.) This form ofRemember, as a parent of a child with high functioning
language will be lost on an autistic. Thus, a betterautism, you need to learn how to go with the flow, be
choice would be to use a visual aid such as a picturecreative, patient - and above all - maintain a positive
or a demonstration, to clarify the task.attitude.
Tip 3 - Create a personalized behavior plan - You