Understanding Autism And How To Help Someone With Autism

how to help someone with autism

While every child has their own unique set of needs, learning how to help someone with autism is an integral part of understanding Autism and becoming a knowledgeable caregiver. Here, we’ll share important information about what to look for, the benefits of ABA Therapy, and helpful tips you can implement at home, or at a care facility. 

Autism Signs & Symptoms

Autism signs and symptoms vary in intensity and at what age they show up. Symptoms may present in an infant's first months, or not appear until a child is 2 or 3.

For infants, signs and symptoms include lack of eye contact, no clear expressions of joy, and disengagement from caregivers. For toddlers,  signs and symptoms include verbal delays and regression, rigid routines, and not recognizing emotions in others. A more comprehensive list of autism signs and symptoms, and additional autism information may be found on our website.

Note, children with autism may display some, though not all, of the signs, and children who do not have autism may display a few, so a professional evaluation is critical.

The Different Types Of Autism

While the broad term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently used, below are several types of autism people commonly refer to.

■ Asperger’s Syndrome

Individuals frequently have obsessive interests, appear quite shy, and have high sensory sensitivity.

■ Rett Syndrome

Only affects girls, appears as soon as 6 months of age, and individuals display repetitive motor movements, and delayed speech. Symptoms worsen as the child grows.

■ Childhood degenerative disorder

Typically refers to a child regressing and losing social and developmental skills around 2.

■ Kanner’s Syndrome

Affiliated with symptoms such as lack of interest in social interactions, hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli (light, touch, etc.), and rigid routines.

■ Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Characterized by delays in social, verbal, and motor developments. Usually, children with this type of autism are able to catch up to their peers, through the right forms of therapy.

The Benefits Of ABA Therapy

Applied Behavioral Analysis, commonly called ABA, focuses on the science of learning and behavior. ABA hones in on how a behavior works, how it is influenced by the environment, and how learning occurs.

ABA therapy for autism was developed in the 1970s at the University of California-Los Angeles, and has close ties to reinforcement therapy, which focuses on rewarding and growing a positive behavior to replace undesired behaviors. ABA utilizes carefully planned and individualized courses of therapy and various ABA teaching formats.

ABA therapy benefits include help to...

  • Increase communication skills
  • Improve attention and focus
  • Strengthen memory and academics

Learn more about ABA therapy benefits and the ABA process.

Sensory Activities For Children With Autism

Sensory activities for autism, can serve as enjoyable ways to develop motor and communication skills, self-expression, and more. These forms of play can even foster calm in individuals with autism.

Take a fresh look at children’s crafts and games, to see what may connect with your child’s needs.

  • Encourage motor skill development by creating an I Spy bottle; a water bottle filled with colored water and other interesting objects, which requires varied kinds of shaking to bring objects into view.
  • Provide different tactile experiences with a sensory table.
  • Or, encourage children to create fantastical stories all their own, and practice communication skills by sharing it with you, using paint sample storytelling.
The Importance Of Socialization In Autism

Making and keeping friends can be difficult for a child on the autism spectrum, but autism and friendship skills don’t have to be an impossible pairing. Children can develop friendship skills with support, training, and guidance.

While learning how to socialize is easily overshadowed by other skills, it is important to take the time to address and develop skills in this area too.

New friendships can:

■ Boost self-esteem and confidence

■ Improve ability to forge connections with others

■ Reduce social anxieties

■ Help individuals feel more accepted by others

Make sure to ask about specific ways your child can improve social skills, as part of individualized ABA therapy, so your child may enjoy the lifelong benefits of friendship.

Autism Bullying Prevention For Kids On The Spectrum

Some studies estimate around 63% of children with autism have experienced bullying at some point in their lives, so preparing yourself as a caregiver, and providing skills, approaches, and support to a child with autism are critical for autism bullying prevention.

There are 3 R’s for bullying prevention: Recognize, Respond, and Report.

Recognize:

Observe your child’s appearance and state of being (scratches, missing or damaged belongings, coming home hungry, etc.) and seek an open dialogue with your child by asking questions, such as what their emotions were at different portions of the day (name an activity, and have the child choose a face, showing a feeling; nervous at the bus stop).

Respond:

Response includes prevention. Intentionally developing social skills, such as through ABA therapy, can help create friendships and strengthen communication skills decreasing the likelihood of a child being targeted.

In response to bullying, alert the child’s school and teacher, and work on creating strategies to lessen exposure, such as staying close to playground aides, identifying safe lunch time options (library or clubs), and identifying safe places the child may go, or safe people to ask for help.

Report:

While laws vary by area, it may become necessary or beneficial to legally report. Researching anti-bullying legislation may help you determine options to explore; consulting with legal counsel can help you know your rights.

10 Ways To Calm Children With Autism

As a starting point for parents and caregivers, below are 10 ideas for how to calm an autistic child.

  1. Practice calm - teach coping strategies before an event (yoga, meditation).
  2. Adjust environment- do the easy things to remove discomfort (close doors, turn down music, turn off lights).
  3. Emergency exits - offer the option to take a break and go to another room or watch a favorite show.
  4. Controlled breathing- pretending to blow bubbles focuses breathing, kicking off calming effects.
  5. Chew time - chewing gum or having a chewy pencil top provides an outlet.
  6. Sensory items- noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted blankets.
  7. Engage muscles - heavy exercise can provide sensory input and generate calm (exercise ball, push couch)
  8. Engage empathy - acknowledge struggle without judgement.
  9. Ignore bystanders- move past judgmental looks, focus on your child, who really needs support.
  10. Eliminate punishments - children with autism cannot control their meltdowns, so do not punish.

Hyper-Sensitivities And Hypo-Sensitivities: What To Look For & How To Help

Hyper-sensitivities (over-responsiveness) and hypo-sensitivities (under-responsiveness) are part of autism and sensory issues.

Hyper-sensitive children may dislike itchy fabric, loud appliances, hugs, and strong visuals or smells. Offer support by adjusting environments (close doors, turn off lights) and use sensory toys to increase tolerances in a fun way.  

Hypo-sensitive children will likely seek loud noises, boisterous activity and not react to extreme hot or cold. Offer sensory stimulation with fidget items, opportunities to rock and swing, and strongly flavored food. Most importantly, for both characteristics, provide professional therapies for substantive long-term results.

About Autism Specialty Group

Our goal at Autism Specialty Group is to build on our colleagues’ strengths and collaborate amongst each other, while ensuring children we help can achieve their full potential.

through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

If you have any questions about our mission, values, services, or process, contact our team today.

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, March 29) Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html

Education.com (2014, April 4). 10 fun activities for children with autism. https://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-activities-children-autism/

Autism Speaks (2021, July 14). Social skills and autism. https://www.autismspeaks.org/social-skills-and-autism

Autism Specialty Group (2021, January 29). Why autism and friendship skills for children share an important connection. https://www.autismspecialtygroup.com/blog/2021/1/29/why-autism-and-friendship-skills-for-children-share-an-important-connection

Autism Specialty Group (2021, March 5) Autism Bullying Prevention for Kids on the Spectrum. https://www.autismspecialtygroup.com/blog/2021/3/5/autism-bullying-prevention-for-kids-on-the-spectrum

Raisingchildren.net.au, the Australian parenting website (2021, July 14) Bullying: Autistic children and teenagers. https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/behaviour/common-concerns/bullying-asd

Verret, G. (2021, July 14) Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): How to Help Your Child. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/bullying-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd-how-help-your-child

Milam, S. (2018, April 18) When my son with autism melts down, here’s what I do. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/what-to-do-autism-meltdown

Rudy, L.J. (2020, November 10) How to calm a child with autism. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-calm-a-child-with-autism-4177696

George, K. (2018) 5 calming strategies for autism meltdowns. Autistic Mama. https://autisticmama.com/calming-strategies-for-autism-meltdowns/

Autism Speaks (2021, July 14) Sensory Issues. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues

Performance Health (2021, July 14) 19 sensory toys for kids with asperger’s or autism. https://www.performancehealth.com/articles/how-to-overcome-sensory-problems-in-children-with-autism

Autism Specialty Group