As the parent of an autistic child, there are lots of things that you can do to support your little one.
No matter what your child’s age or specific diagnosis, it comes down to providing the right tools, toys, and devices to support their growth and development (as well as lots of love and care, of course). Today, we’re going to give you some top tips to support your autistic child through their development.
How to Support Your Autistic Child
Often, children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require more support than those who are not on the spectrum. Although there is no one-size-fits-all and every autistic child’s needs are unique, there are some general tips that will help every parent.
Here are some general tips and tricks that will help your autistic child thrive and promote their physical, emotional, and social development.
Attend the Local Action Center
Action Behavior Centers are one of the most effective ways to enhance your child’s growth and development. You’ll be able to find a great center near to your home location by making a quick search online.
At community action centers, expert staff, including therapists, counselors, and support workers, host a range of classes that your child can attend.
Your child can have one-to-one cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or applied behavioral analysis (ABA) sessions for intense support. Therapists can teach your autistic child a range of basic and advanced skills to encourage quicker physical and cognitive development.
Community centers also provide ongoing support for parents. You can learn about the tools and strategies that therapists use for autistic children so you can use them at home.
Reinforce Positive Behaviors
Positive reinforcement is a highly effective way to support autistic children. When your child does something well, make sure to praise them and be clear about which behaviors they have done well. This will encourage them to continue with these behaviors.
You could introduce your child to piano lessons. Children with autism often have sensory issues, so multisensory music can be helpful.
Any autistic child can benefit from music education and contribute to a musical ensemble if you’re wondering when to start piano lessons. You can praise your child with positive words, buy them a new sensory toy to play with, or give them a new sticker if you’re using a reward star chart.
Create a Safe Space at Home
As a parent, it can be difficult to find the balance between making your child feel comfortable and safe at home, while also setting appropriate boundaries. A great way to establish both safety and authority is to create a safe space in your home.
You can set aside space in your home for your child to go if they’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or upset. Make the space as calming and comfortable as possible. You could paint the walls an ambient light green color to promote relaxation and buy bean bags, fluffy cushions, and sensory toys to place in the room.
Tantrums and meltdowns are common in autistic children and creating a safe space is the best way to calm them down and de-escalate the issue.
