Toddlers and Autism

Toddlers and Autism

Dealing with the behavior of any toddler can be
challenging, but when that toddler has
developmental disabilities, the stress load
increases.

With autistic children, they may begin to use
verbal communication and then that skill can
gradually disappear, often around the age of 3.

Autistic children are wired differently and early
intervention can be the key to success.

This is an opportunity for parents to establish
some ground rules, create some lines of communication,
and learn what areas your child struggles in.

Pay attention to when behavior problems occur and
what the circumstances are.

There are generally clues to behavior, but
sometimes we need to really work hard at working
out what exactly those clues are.

Children with autism need routine, thrive
on routine, and need to be prepared for transitions.

This should be established from a very young age.

While you monitor your child's behavior, you should
be observing what occurs immediately preceding the
behavior.

For the child with autism, behavior often occurs
because they are overwhelmed and are unable to
control their emotional response to what is
occurring.

Over time, you may detect a pattern in their
behavior.

Once you establish why those behaviors are occurring,
you can begin to intervene prior to the behavior.

Be consistent with your response to behavior.

Even though your child may be non-verbal, you
should continue to use your words.

Much of the inappropriate behavior of autistic
children is due to sensory dysfunction.

Their senses don't function smoothly to help
them interpret the world around them.

It would be appropriate to try to obtain a
formal assessment by an occupational therapist.

This assessment would help identify if your
child has sensory dysfunction and help to
establish some techniques to help them integrate
their senses.

With the use of sensory integration techniques,
you can help your learn to interact with the
world around them in an appropriate manner.

For some children, this can be done by providing
sensory input on a routine schedule throughout
the day, perhaps every 2 hours initially and
also at transition times.

Using a variety of techniques, this can help a
child go through transitions smoothly and calmly.

There are a variety of sensory toys available.

For the child who craves sensory stimulation, this
is the child who likes to bump and crash into
things, this provides them with an outlet for all
of that energy.

For the child who avoids sensory input, doesn't
like to be touched, this can desensitize him or her,
so that they can tolerate touch.

The Parenting Autism Resource Guide:

A Complete Resource Guide For Parents
Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism.