Hello again! As you can obviously read, this is a continuation of our last blog post, exploring some of the many ways parents of children with autism and other developmental delays can help their child at home reach their full potential.
When you first get an autism diagnosis for a child, it can leave you feeling helpless. The truth is you CAN make a difference in your child’s life, and we hope these parent tips instill some confidence in your family’s future.
It’s also really important to mention that these tips are in addition to and serve to complement early intervention care your child should receive, like the gold standard treatment of ABA therapy. Children can start ABA therapy as young as two. Years of research have shown the earlier a child receives interventions, especially when their brains are still making critical connections with the world around them, the better the outcomes.
So, don’t wait or hesitate to get your child the professional help they need as soon as possible. The first five years of a child’s life is when ABA therapy and other autism interventions have the biggest impact.
Now, here are 4 (more) ways you can make an impact, too!
1) Add playtime to your child’s daily schedule.
All children learn by playing. When you join them, you can model important social behaviors they need to learn, like how to take turns, solve problems, and regulate their emotions in stressful situations. Play is also a great way to connect with your kiddo and show them they are important to you. Make playtime fun and be sure it includes what most interests your child, whether it’s TV, a certain type of toy, or something else. If they’re having fun, learning will happen naturally.
2) Practice skills your child is learning during early intervention therapy.
The care your child receives during regularly scheduled ABA therapy or other interventions, like Speech and Occupational Therapy, is based on individualized goals for your child. Partner with your child’s therapist(s) to understand what your child is working on, so you can reinforce those skills at home. For example, if your child is learning self-help skills, like toileting or brushing their teeth, you should give your child the opportunity to practice and master those skills at home. Breakdown each skill into smaller, easier-to-learn components and be sure to reward your child when they are successful at each step. If your ABA therapist offers parent training, sign up!
3) Reduce your child’s stress (and your own) with regular exercise.
Exercise is a great way to have some fun with your child, burn energy, and help them work on their gross motor skills, leading to improved coordination, balance, and movement. Daily exercise is best, lasting 30-45 minutes or shorter sessions from 10-15 minutes three times a day. Like playing, make sure you choose activities your child likes or is interested in doing. Adventure outside and take a walk or play in the backyard with a family pet, throwing a ball, for example. Stay in and put on an exercise video for kids or make up a routine to music. Here again, use rewards to encourage your child to keep going.
4) Like the song says, accentuate the positive.
We all like positive reinforcement. It makes us feel good when we know others see us and appreciate what we’ve done. Children with autism are no exception. They like receiving rewards and verbal praise, when they’ve made an effort, learned something new, or repeated a positive behavior. Ensure your child understands the exact behavior you’re rewarding with their favorite treat, activity, or toy. Always find ways to reinforce your child’s behavior, including the big and tiny things you want your child to continue doing. If your child doesn’t respond to a snack treat, for example, try something else until you find a reinforcement that does works. Stay positive. You’ll figure it out!
Get your whole family involved in these activities, so siblings can develop empathy for their brother or sister and start to build a positive relationship with them as well. Patience is the key to your family’s success.
If you feel overwhelmed or need expert advice on supporting your child at home, ask your medical team for help. Lean on them. They know what you’re going through and have solutions.
Our autism and ABA experts would love to help if you live close by. You can find our hives in North Texas as well as Boulder, Colorado. We’ve been helping children and their families achieve their full potential for more than 20 years. We’re here for you, too. Reach out anytime.
