How to Handle Autistic Children

Autism describes a group of complex developmental brain disorders. Children are born with autism, but most children won't show signs of the disorder until they are about eighteen months old. Caring for children who have this problem can be difficult for parents and caregivers. If you know how to handle an autistic child, then you can help head off potential problems before they start or escalate to a point where the child is hurting himself.

Instructions

• 1

  Leave the child alone while he is having a fit. If your child begins to hurt himself, then step in and hug him from behind. Hold him quietly but securely until he calms down. After he is calm, let him know in a calm tone that things will be all right and he can relax. It may take a half hour of holding before he calms down. Don't hurt the child or hold him down so his face is against the floor or anything that could suffocate him.

• 2

  Exercise with your child. Put on some music and do stretching exercises together. Breath deeply and have fun. Go for a walk in a natural setting. Don't choose a busy mall or a place with a lot of people; noise or distractions, because this could upset your child. During your walks, look at birds, flowers, trees and clouds. Make exercise a daily morning ritual to share together.

• 3

  Talk with your autistic child like a best friend. Take time to play with him on his level and do the things he wants to do.This will help you gain his trust and lets him know that you will be there for him. Also, talk with him as if he is a real person and not a baby. This will help your child know that you care. Autistic children may not always talk in a language that we understand, but they are far from stupid.

• 4

  Keep a daily schedule and don't change it. Changes are upsetting and can cause a child to act out or have a meltdown.

• 5

  Keep your tone gentle, even in trying situations. It is easy to lose your temper and say hurtful things. Just remember that autistic children can't control what's happening to them.

• 6

  Figure out what triggers a meltdown with your child. Pay attention to what he was doing just before the tantrum began. Write things down to help you remember. This will help you eliminate or reduce the triggers of a meltdown.

• 7

  Allow your child to make small decisions on his own; this will help him feel better about himself. Give him small tasks and break them down into ones that can be managed. Slowly work up to larger responsibilities.