Giving your child information on the nature of his/her differences will give them a better understanding and the motivation that is needed to drive through challenges. Discussing an autism spectrum diagnosis with your child is an important issue and one for which many parents seek advice.
One of the ways some parents start a conversation about autism is to talk first about differences. For example, you could write a list of family members' strengths and weaknesses, then talk about what your child is good at and what they find difficult.
Disclosing to someone that you are autistic is a very personal decision. It will depend on many factors including the person, the situation and how comfortable you are in discussing it with other people. You may decide that you want to tell others about how being autistic affects you and what support you need.
The results showed that most adults with autism (68.3%) and parents (82.5%) preferred to put the person before autism. Younger adults, with a higher intelligence, and with more autistic traits, were a bit more likely to put autism before the person.
Although autistic people may struggle to interact with others, many autistic people have said they find interacting with other autistic people more comfortable.
In our study, we surveyed autism stakeholders in the United States. Overwhelmingly, autistic adults (n = 299) preferred identity-first language terms to refer to themselves or others with autism. Professionals who work in the autism community (n = 207) were more likely to support and use person-first language.
Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism. However, with early intervention, therapy, and support, individuals with autism can manage these challenges and improve their quality of life.
Your child might get upset if too much is happening around them, if they find a particular noise overwhelming, or if the light is too bright. Autistic children can get frustrated if they're expected to do something they don't have the skills for, like getting dressed independently.
Many autistic people get very stuck in loops of rumination and uncertainty, and the feeling of going round and round, the anxiety and worry, can be really unbearable. I call this 'loops of concern'.
When someone confesses that they are autistic, reaffirm the seriousness of what they've just told you. Consciously set aside preconceptions and resist the urge to compliment or commiserate. This is an opportunity to learn more about autism and help support the autistic community.
You can explain that autism is usually associated with difficulty in social and communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and adherence to routine. It also can be accompanied by sensory sensitivities and challenges with paying attention.
Here are some things we know about children with an ASD: They may not be able to understand your nonverbal communications. They may not react to your smile or frown. They take things literally.
Autistic children and teenagers experience a range of emotions, but they might need support to recognise, understand and manage their emotions. For example, your autistic child might feel all negative or unpleasant emotions as anger. Or they might not recognise when they're excited.
Although your son's reaction sounds more severe than most, many people with autism struggle with a range of fears, phobias and worries. These can range from a debilitating fear of, say, spiders or the dark to chronic anxiety about making mistakes or being late.
Yelling at children with autism can cause depression and negatively impact the emotional wellbeing of the child. Depression is associated with several negative outcomes, including functional impairments beyond those associated with autism itself and significant burden on the family system (Pezzimenti & et al., 2019).
Kids with autism experience “deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to the absence of interest in peers (DSM-5).”
Another food to not feed your child with autism is corn. It is another food that promotes inflammation. This is due to the fact that corn is high in omega-6 fatty acids rather than good omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, corn is considered a grain, not a vegetable, therefore the nutritional value is low.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
When Does Autism Get Easier? A new study found that around 30% of young autistic children have less severe symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3. Interestingly, some children lose their autism diagnoses entirely.
Many autistic people enjoy spending time alone and consider it important for their wellbeing. Loneliness is different though. You might feel lonely if you don't have opportunities to socialise, or find this difficult. You might have friends/colleagues but feel misunderstood, or like you cannot be yourself around them.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier.