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[T92]Teaching Child With Autism

by Alan Yau, Ala

Parents are biologically adapted to respond to their developing infants' needs, we almost cannot help but engage in baby-talk when confronted with a small child. However, interactions with infants are very much two-way events.

For some of us, playing is natural and we make no apologies for it, for me it is the most effective way of developing relatedness with a child and it is FUN!

When a parent interacts with a normally developing infant, the infant is as much a participant in that interaction as the adult, a kind of dance. However, studies have shown that children with autism do not provide their adult partner with the expected kind of participation.

Without an appropriate partner in the dance, parents may not know quite what to do, and as this gets repeated over and over again, the quality of the interactions may diminish. Parents of children with ASD should be aware of this issue and compensate for their child's lack of appropriate participation.

When children are enjoying spending time with you, they will come and initiate interactions with you. This is true for the great majority of children with autism as it is for normally developing children. Once they are coming to you, you can then start to scaffold their learning, and you will find teaching other things will be easier because now you have their attention and trust.

However, over the years I have worked with many colleagues who just don't find playing natural, they feel much more comfortable "teaching" something. If this sounds like you, then my plea is this: play first, other stuff can wait.

My personal experience has shown me that this works. I urge you try it for yourself. Play with your child just for the sake of playing and see what opens up. However, make sure that you are enjoying yourself, don't harbor any nagging thoughts that you should be "teaching" something instead.

Relax, you will be "teaching". You are teaching your child that you are worth spending time with, and that hanging out with you is more interesting than spending time on their own.

Children with autism by definition have difficulty with social interaction. Isn't it wonderful to teach them to interact with people (you initially), in such a joyous way?

1. Keep a Kidsearch Network Child ID Kit, http://www.kidsearchnetwork.org/free-child-fingerprint-id-kits.htm in a safe place that is accessible 24/7 and update the photographs and other information every 6 months. If you do not have a kit for each of your children, go to that link to build one for free.

2. Make sure your child always checks with you before going anywhere with anyone.

3. Know your neighbors and other adults that have access to your children. Every state allows the public to check the criminal backgrounds of those who have access to your children. Just contact local law enforcement.

4. Know your neighborhood. Show your children the safest places to play and areas to avoid; like alleys and dark stairwells.

5. Do not advertise your child's name on clothing, school supplies or backpacks.

6. Get a cell phone or pager for your child. This way you can be in contact with them at all times.

7. Make sure your child knows to scream and run if approached in an alarming way by anyone. Your child should be taught to ALWAYS tell you immediately if he or she is approached by a stranger who asks for help, offers candy/gifts, or frightens him/her in anyway. Your child should know to make you aware of anytime he or she feels uncomfortable with ANYONE.

8. If you have an Internet ready computer in the home, put it in a common area and use this software, Online Safety Shield at http://www.onlinesafetyshield.com to monitor your children's Internet activities and what they are being exposed to.

9. Seek alternatives to leaving your children alone at home, in the car or outside. If your child is a latch-key kid, make sure that he or she knows to keep all doors and windows locked. Tell them to never let anyone know that he or she is alone and never let anyone in the house, not even someone claiming to be a police officer or from the fire department. Those kinds of professionals know to forcibly enter in case of an emergency.

10. Teach your children how to use a pay phone without money and how to call 911. Make sure your child learns his or her address and phone number at an early age. A second phone number of a friend or relative is also helpful. Teach your child how to make a collect phone call, and to begin with 'Operator...I'm in trouble; I need your help.'

11. Do not leave a child unattended while shopping, visiting with neighbors or friends, or running errands. Under no circumstances should you leave a child alone in a car or truck. Amusement parks and other large, bustling venues aimed at entertaining children can attract predators.

12. If you maintain firearms in your home, use approved trigger locks and keep them safely locked up.

13. When your child comes to you with a problem or about someone making them feel uncomfortable, make sure that you listen and do not blame them.

14. If your child receives pornography on the Internet, (Many people who never surf porn still receive it in email), do not immediately blame your child. Discuss it with them and explain why it's not allowed and how to immediately delete it. Report the sender to their ISP. Call The Kidsearch Network if you do not know how and we will do it for you.

Is the Internet a treasure chest of educational opportunities for kids? Or is it a place filled with all sorts of dangers?

The reality, of course, is that it is both. The online world can pose a threat to youngsters, ranging from exposure to sexually explicit material, to stalking, to physical molestation. Disturbing as well is the proliferation of child pornography.

Article Source : Help With Troubled Teens

About Author

Both Alan Yau & Chris Mcelroy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alan Yau has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kids and Teens, Massage and Autism. Alan Yau heads up the Autistic unit at a primary school in North London in the UK where he is responsible for teaching 18 children across the whole Autistic spectrum. See. Alan Yau's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.

Chris Mcelroy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Computers and The Internet and Home Alarm System. Chris McElroy is the founder of the ,. Chris Mcelroy's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.