|
Children with autism display
the most irrational and emotionally challenging symptoms.
Doctors and parents can use a variety of treatment methods
to manage these uncontrollable behaviors. These treatment
methods will also help autism children cope with their
social inabilities and physical challenges.
Autism is very common among
children in the United States. Experts call it a developmental
disability since it occurs out of nowhere during the crucial
years of the child. The most unfortunate reality about
this disorder is that it is a lifetime condition. Autism
starts interfering with the child's normal behavior at
the age of three. At this early age, the condition already
affects the patient's ability to mingle with others, process
information, and learn ordinary tasks. Autism varies in
degree of severity. Physicians may classify an autistic
condition, as either high functioning or intensely affected.
High functioning autistic
conditions are the most common. A specialist can further
classify it as either a Pervasive Developmental Disorder
(PDD) or Aspergers Syndrome. Both types of high functioning
autistic conditions share the same symptoms. Patients
will experience stuttering, shyness, jerking, hand flapping,
and routine insistence. Bring your child directly to a
specialist for appropriate diagnosis if he displays all
or a combination of these symptoms. Qualified professionals,
like child psychologists or pediatric neurologists, know
how to treat your child appropriately.
All autistic children have
high chances of improving their condition. Although it
is a lifetime disability, the appropriate treatment methods
for high functioning autism may even promote the child
to attend mainstream schooling.
Seeking immediate treatment
is very important once the specialist finds out about
your child's autistic condition. However, even treatment
can interfere with the studies of the child. Nevertheless,
you should not worry. Most schools in the United States
offer special programs and classes for autistic children.
Therefore, the first step in treating your child is to
prepare a therapy plan and to customize his schooling
arrangement.
As parents, you should not
treat your child as if he has a disease. Do not seclude
him from the world. Instead, let him live normally. Map
out a series of therapies that will develop his communication,
motor, behavioral, and social skills. Parents, teachers,
and physicians should work together to come up with an
IEP or Individualized Educational Plan. This is a plan
that integrates both academic training and therapy.
The ABA or Applied Behavior
Analysis is one of the most common therapies that specialists
use in treating high frequency autism. Therapists use
a set of reinforcement activities to train the child on
how to conduct proper demeanor. This approach uses the
reward system. When the child positively reacts, the therapist
will give him a favor.
The ABA approach uses modules
to target goals. The therapist teaches the child to achieve
a set of attainable tasks. The child then learns from
each of the tasks. Teaching a child to avoid showing tantrums,
the therapist will usually give a task to the child, such
as sitting properly on a chair. When the child is able
to follow the direction, the therapist will then give
the child his favorite toy or candy. The therapist will
repeat the process if the child does not learn how to
do this yet.
The program, indeed, teaches
the child proper behavior. If it is successful, the child
can move on to a more mainstream schooling. He may attend
either a regular class or a special education program
where the child joins and learns with other young autism
patients.
The concept that high functioning
autism causes stupidity is wrong. Despite the obvious
low results in IQ tests, children with high functioning
autism can accomplish and learn tasks just like ordinary
children. Low IQ results of autistic children are only
a scratch on the surface. In fact, there are factors that
may distract the child during an IQ test, thus, resulting
in low scores.
The real challenge actually
lies in the way autistic children identify questions.
They need a visual representation of the each item and
require more time to answer these questions. Interestingly,
young autistic patients are more adept to think and decide
using more visual terms than ordinary people. Visually
aided questionnaires are also a perfect groundwork for
autistics in facing real life tests.
Abrupt changes in the surroundings
are often the triggers of autistic tantrums. However,
with appropriate scheduling and orientation, a child with
autism can learn to accept changes and process disruptions
in his routines. As a parent, you should map out a plan
before you set an activity for your child so he will know
what to do first and next. It will help if you guide your
child using pictures instead of verbal instructions. Try
to approach your child in a mild manner using phrases
like "after 3 minutes, we will put your toy to the box,
and eat food." This will give your child a clear idea
of what he should do and expect.
As supplementary therapy
for special education training, your child will also need
additional training for language and speaking skills.
Although autistic children can become extremely verbal,
parents and therapists should work together to improve
the clarity and accuracy of every word that comes out
of their mouth. Therapists will use language skills tests
to teach the child how to reply to certain questions or
commands. Parents should not tolerate or promote baby
language. Try to talk to them straight like an adult,
with clear words, but in milder manner.
Another important phase
in treating autism is motor skills therapy. Special children
may develop sensitivity in sound, smell, noise, and texture.
And to correct and improve these sensitivities, occupational
therapists can help by introducing the child into a set
of tests. Parents and teachers can integrate the motor
skills therapy into other therapies.
These treatment methods
are actually just a few among those what a specialist
can recommend. Parents, teachers, and therapists can simultaneously
conduct only a few of these methods. The language and
speech treatment methods, for instance, are of the individual
type of therapy. Therefore, he cannot join other children
during this session.
The severity of the child's
high frequency autism may affect his therapies. He may
not be able learn that much, thus, making medication the
best course of action to take. These new approaches in
treating autism prove to be workable for most patients.
However, it is only through early detection and intervention
that these therapies will work.
Children
with Special Needs -> Treating Autism Children
|
