|
||
There were made a lot of years of research, and it was reached to the result that applied behavioral methods really show benefit in improving communication, learning and appropriate social behavior, also reducing inappropriate behavior in children with autism.
It was seen that started early, usually in the preschool years, these interventions are more effective.
Based on the principle of reinforcement, which says that behavior can be changed by rewarding desired behavior and removing reinforcement for unwanted behavior, the applied behavior analysis is designed to both correct behavior and teach skills for dealing with specific situations. It was seen that the person will repeat behaviors for which is rewarded, and this principle is applied in many different ways like discrete trial training, errorless learning, incidental teaching, shaping and fading, and it is known that most treatment programs include a number of applied behavior analysis therapies.
In order to provide a comprehensive treatment program individualized to meet each child's specific needs, the behavioral therapists collaborate with parents, teachers, and community professionals.
The main principle of education suggests that each person with autism has his or her own strengths, abilities, and functional level, so it is very important that education to be adapted, to meet everyone's personal requirements.
When it is possible, it is important that children with disabilities to be educated together with children with no disabilities, because they will serve as models for appropriate language, social, and behavioral skills.
Some children with autism are educated in mainstream classrooms, others in special education classes within mainstream public schools, and others in specialized programs separate from mainstream public schools.
There were made specific programs for persons with autism. For example, TEACCH, a program developed in North Carolina comprehends different theories and techniques to develop an individualized program for each person with autism. This program focuses more on providing the child with the skills needed to understand his or her environment and communicate his or her needs, and less on changing specific behaviors.
To teach children social skills there is an approach that uses stories, in each story a person being faced with a situation or an event. These stories are adapted for each individual, they often contain music and illustrations, and help the child develop an understanding of the appropriate or expected response to the situation.
An approach that helps the child with autism progress on the natural developmental ladder is the floor time. It is based on the theory that children cannot progress to advanced learning until they have completed all the required steps of this ladder; this theory says that children with autism have not completed the ladder.
There are also complementary therapies. These therapies include art therapy, music therapy, animal therapy, and sensory integration therapy. For example, music therapy involving singing helps the child to develop speech and language skills, art therapy offers the child a nonverbal way to express his or her feelings, and animal therapy has the role to improve the child's motor skills while increasing self-confidence.
Sensory integration tries to help the child reorganize and integrate his or her sensory information, tries to make the child to better understand the external world.
Current research suggests that parents of children with autism experience greater stress than parents of children with intellectual disabilities and Down Syndrome. A child with autism may not be able to express basic wants and needs in the same manner as individuals without the disorder. Parents are often guessing why the child is crying. Is it because he/she is hungry, thirsty, hurting or sick? Not being about to determine the child's needs can leave parents feeling frustrated and filled with sorrow. The child with autism unable to communicate with its parents effectively may be left frustrated and unhappy. This frustration can lead to aggression and self-injury behaviors that can make the child a danger to himself and to other family members.
A lack of appropriate leisure, play and social skills often require constant structure of family time, which can become quite difficult to accomplish in the home environment. Families may not be able to attend events together at scheduled times. Mom might have to stay home with the child who has autism, while dad take another sibling to their baseball game or school band concert. This in turn can create problems in the marital relationship in addition to whatever other problems already exist. There is often a lack of qualified people who can care for the autistic child while mom and dad find time to spend alone.
Additional problems may be struggles with getting the child with autism to sleep through the night or eat a wide variety of foods for proper health and nutrition.
Other sources of stress for parents of children with autism may include:
&bull Reactions from society: Parents may feel self-conscious about taking a child with autism out into the community. The may fear others will stare or make rude comments about their child. These problems may leave parents of children with autism experiencing a sense of isolation from friends, relatives and community
&bull Concerns about future care: Parents know they provide their children with autism the best care possible and they fear that no one else will take care of their child like they do.
&bull Finances: Evaluations, home programs and therapies can drain a family's resources. One parent may have to give up his or job to take care of the child leaving the family with even less money to meet financial obligations.
&bull Feelings of Grief: Many parents of children with autism grieve the loss of the "typical" child they expected to have. They also grieve the loss of a lifestyle they expected or planned for themselves and their family. This can be an additional source of stress on the family, which is ongoing.
Sibling's sources of stress may include:
&bull Embarrassment around their peers and jealousy about the extra time parents have to spend with their brother or sister
&bull Frustration about not being about to communicate effectively with a brother or sister who has autism
&bull May be the target of aggressive behaviors of the child with autism
&bull Worries over their parents stress and grief about the child with autism
&bull Concern about their role as a future caregiver for the sibling or siblings with autism
Grandparents also grieve over the loss of the typical grandchild expected and may be concerned about the stress and difficulties their children are experiencing. Grandparents often want to help but lack the skills to deal with children who have autism.
How can families cope with the stress of living with a child or children who have autism?
Some suggestions for helping families may include:
&bull Remember that you must take action before progress toward solutions can be made
&bull Take time for yourself and other family members to avoid burnout
&bull Keep in mind that just a few minutes per day can make a big difference in taking time for yourself
&bull Do things for yourself that you know normally makes you feel better
&bull Parents who have children with autism have a greater need to reward themselves
&bull Family members need to reward one another
&bull Spouses need to acknowledge the hard work each is performing
&bull Thank siblings for watching or helping their brothers and sisters who have autism
&bull Spouses need to find time for alone. This may include watching T.V. together when the children are asleep or going out to dinner
&bull Families may also want to engage in activities occasionally without the individual with autism. Everyone deserves some time together that is not threatened by the challenges of autism.
&bull Network with other families affected by autism
&bull Attend support groups for parents, siblings and grandparents through educational programs, parent resource centers, and local chapter of the Autism Society of America.
&bull Prayer
&bull Exercise/yoga
&bull Keeping a journal
&bull Keeping a daily schedule of tasks to accomplish
If you witness a family member or a friend showing signs of stress even if it means you will not be appreciated for your efforts, getting as much assistance for a child with autism and their families can only make things better over the long term.
Source: American Autism Society
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
By: Connie Limon -