Caring for a Child on the Autism Spectrum (ASD)

Parenting a child on the autism spectrum can be difficult. It is important to understand how your child processes information in order to successfully care for them. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often misunderstood because they process things differently than other children. The following article will discuss some of the challenges parents of children on the spectrum face and provide helpful tips for caring for these special needs children.

What is Autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of conditions characterized by social communication difficulties and restricted interests or repetitive behaviors. ASD affects people in different ways. Some individuals are mildly affected while others have severe symptoms including impaired cognitive development; language skills that don’t develop typical speech patterns, such as echolalia; lack of eye contact; hypersensitivity to light, noise, touch, taste, and smell; problems with sleeping and eating habits; anxiety-related disorders like panic attacks or obsessive thoughts about perceived danger events happening over and over again called obsessions-compulsions. Parents need to understand how their child perceives the world around them in order to help them learn coping mechanisms when they’re their surroundings overwhelm them.

The spectrum is a spectrum of severity, not intelligence or capability. A child can be high functioning intellectually but severely affected by autism nonetheless and vice versa. The spectrum means the condition affects different people in different ways – from mild to severe symptoms.

Check out this short Youtube video by an autistic person, who explains what is autism from his perspective: What is Autism (Part 1)? | Written by Autistic Person 

How to tell if my child has Autism?

Some of the signs are:

• Social skills difficulties in making friends and relationships with other kids.
• Trouble understanding social cues, such as sarcasm or teasing.
• Difficulty communicating their feelings to others verbally (e.g., “screaming it out”).
• Difficulty understanding and predicting feelings.
• A need for things to be “just so.”
• An obsessive interest in a topic or hobby, often one that is unusual (e.g., train schedules).

If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s time to visit a doctor. A doctor can use a checklist to see if your child has some of the symptoms. The diagnostic process includes an evaluation by a psychiatrist and other doctors, plus in-home observation from people trained in autism spectrum disorders diagnosis. If they diagnose your child with ASD, it doesn’t mean that you are “losing” them or that their life is over – there are many resources available for autistic children nowadays.

Tips for parents with children on the spectrum

Educate yourself about Autism spectrum disorders.

Be supportive and understanding when interacting with someone on the spectrum (even if they act differently). Don’t push too hard; remember that individuals have different abilities and personalities! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Speak calmly and slowly when communicating with someone on the spectrum, especially if they have difficulty processing information quickly or understanding subtle emotions.

Help your child find a support system of friends who are kind to them despite differences in personality and abilities (and vice versa). Encourage contact between kids on the spectrum by hosting playdates at your home or arranging for their group activities away from home.

Use different strategies to teach your child on the spectrum how to interact with others.

Teach empathy by watching videos together of people who have been bullied or discriminated against because they are different. Have conversations about what makes them feel better in difficult situations.

What causes ASD?

The exact cause of autism spectrum disorder is unknown, but it’s likely to be a combination of factors, including genetics and environment.

Genetics – About one-third of all children with autism spectrum disorder have at least one close relative who also has it.

Environmental factors – Adverse prenatal or birth complications, maternal illness during pregnancy, low birth weight, and older parents may increase the risk for children on the spectrum.

It’s very common to see symptoms develop gradually. There are usually some warning signs before a diagnosis. For example, if your child doesn’t show affection towards others; if they seem uninterested in other people or things around them; if they’re not trying new things, which might be challenging.

How can I be sure vaccines have nothing to do with autism?

There has been much speculation of what causes autism spectrum disorder since its discovery over 60 years ago – but no definitive evidence linking vaccines as one cause has ever surfaced. To date, scientific studies show no connection between vaccines and an autism spectrum disorder.

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about vaccines and ASD – for example, that they are responsible for up to one in three cases of child development disabilities like autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Wakefield’s research from 1997-2001 found that it would take 100,000 vaccinations before we could say with certainty if the vaccine can cause any reaction; though he has subsequently been discredited.

The truth:

We don’t know what causes autism spectrum disorder, but the studies show no connection between vaccines and ASDs – nor does recent scientific evidence suggest there is an increased risk among vaccinated populations than unvaccinated ones. Vaccines protect children against life-threatening illnesses such as measles, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus.

Is an early diagnosis important?

Yes. The earlier a child is diagnosed with ASD, the sooner they can get the treatment they need to meet their developmental milestones and accomplish important tasks – like learning to talk. Early diagnosis helps families understand what social situations might be difficult for their child. Then families can more easily provide support in those areas. It’s always best to consult your pediatrician when you suspect something may not be right about your child’s development as soon as possible because early intervention often leads to better outcomes down the line too!

Can ASD be cured?

No, ASD currently cannot be cured. Once a child has a diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder, they will have it for life. However, there are many treatments and therapies available to help them learn skills that make life easier for them and their family members. Treatment can include speech therapy or occupational therapy, which focuses on motor planning problems that often accompany the spectrum of disorders. There is no cure, but early intervention services and treatment improve the quality of life in children who live with an ASD diagnosis.

How common is ASD?

In the United States, according to an estimation, one in 68 children has ASD spectrum disorder. Children with an autism spectrum diagnosis are also more likely to have other coexisting mental health diagnoses. For instance, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety Disorders, and/or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Boys are four times more likely to have a diagnosis of ASD. Boys with spectrum disorders are also at higher risk of dealing with bullying or teasing in school and have a lower likelihood of going to college than those without autism spectrum disorder.

Autism is a common condition…

That affects 1 in 68 children. It can make caring for your child difficult at times; but by doing some research and trying new things you may find it easier to care for your child. When looking into ways to help a child to manage their symptoms of autism spectrum, try the tips from this blog. We know it is a struggle but don’t give up hope yet and try your best!