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Parenting a child with autism can be difficult. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. It can be very challenging for you as a parent to know how to best support your child and help them reach their full potential. In today's blog post from ACES, we will discuss everything you need to know about parenting a child with autism. We will cover autism therapy options, such as ABA therapy, and provide helpful tips on how to make life easier for both you and your child. Keep reading to learn more, and reach out to our team at ACES with any further questions you may have or to sign-up for ABA services today.
What To Do After an Autism Diagnosis
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. It is never easy to learn that your child may face certain struggles with communication, learning, and more. However, it's important to remember that you are not alone, and surrounding yourself with support will be an essential part of you and your child's journey with autism. One of the first things you should do after receiving an ASD diagnosis is take the time to learn as much as possible about autism and how it affects your child. Many things can help children and adults with autism, such as special therapies or medicines, but there’s no cure for autism spectrum disorder yet. The more you know about autism, the better you’ll be able to help your child.
Handling Stress & Overwhelm
There are many aspects of an autism diagnosis that can lead to excess stress. Some children with autism may throw tantrums, display aggressive behavior, or be on the non-verbal end of the spectrum, which makes it difficult for them to communicate their needs, wants, and feelings. All of these factors can be stressful to you as a parent or to an immediate caregiver.
One of the best ways to deal with the stress of these situations is to surround yourself with a system of support and take advantage of all of the services that are available to you. From ABA therapy and other autism therapies to making friends with other parents who have children on the spectrum, there are a number of resources available to help you understand and better manage stressful seasons or situations with your child.
Recognizing Your Child's Strengths & Challenges
As the saying goes, "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism," because no two people with autism are alike. Autism is a spectrum disorder because each individual varies from high-functioning to low-functioning. There are children who you wouldn't know had autism and others who are non-verbal and require special assistance with day-to-day tasks and activities.
One of the best ways to connect with and support your child with autism is to recognize their unique strengths and the challenges they face. If your child is non-verbal or struggles to communicate effectively, they may shine in other areas, such as picture recognition, coloring, building blocks, or more. Having a better understanding of where your child excels as well as what may trigger them can strengthen your bond and help you learn how to support and help them as effectively as possible.
Understanding Your Family Dynamic
A child with autism can change your family's dynamic. Siblings of autistic children can sometimes feel neglected or stressed because of the constant care that their brother or sister may require. It's important to have deep conversations with your children so that they understand what their sibling with autism may be dealing with. It is also a good idea to include all of your children in various activities and the care of their siblings, as it promotes a sense of responsibility, empathy, cooperation, and maturity.
When it comes to your marriage and the added stress that an ASD diagnosis may cause, the best thing you can do is work together with your spouse to give your child the best care and home environment possible.
What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a type of autism treatment that focuses on improving positive behaviors and decreasing negative or problematic ones. ABA therapy can be used for children with autism, as well as people with other disabilities. It has been shown to help increase language skills and improve academic performance in children who have autism spectrum disorder.
ABA therapy is often one of the most recommended autism therapies by doctors and therapists. It can be done in a variety of ways, such as one-on-one with a therapist, in a small group setting, or even at home with parents or caregivers.
There are many different ABA programs out there, so it's important to do your research and find one that you feel will work best for your child.
What is Occupational Therapy for Children With ASD?
Occupational therapy helps children with autism learn how to perform everyday activities, such as dressing themselves or cleaning up after a meal. OT sessions are typically structured like a play session, where the OT shows the child particular tasks and helps them learn how to complete them. OTs may also use "tools" such as flashcards, activity boards, or specific objects related to the task they are working on.
Some children with autism struggle in school because of their difficulty completing everyday tasks. Occupational therapy can help bridge that gap and improve a child's ability to succeed in the classroom.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy helps children with autism learn to communicate effectively. This may involve teaching them how to speak, use sign language, or develop other methods of communication. For children who are non-verbal or have difficulty speaking, speech therapists often use picture cards and other visual aids to help the child understand and communicate. Speech therapy can also help children with autism learn to listen and follow directions. Children who receive speech therapy often show improvement in their communication skills, as well as better academic performance.
Sign-Up For Autism Services at ACES Today
Parenting a child with autism comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. It's important to stay positive, as autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong journey for both you and your child. ACES autism services can help you navigate this process with the best autism therapies and treatment options available. Reach out to us at any of our locations across the country to get the support and services you need.
