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