SOURCE: Dr. Julian Watson. Maximum Potential for autism. © 2005, 2010 Ellen Notbohm
10 THINGS YOU WANT OUR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM TO KNOW Extract book: "Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew." Ellen Notbohm
For some time we thought that there was no cure for autism. But that notion is changing rapidly. Every day people with autism show us they can overcome, compensate and manage many of the inherent challenges. It is very important in equipping people around the individual, that basic elements may have a positive impact on their skills. Always with a goal of an adult life as independently as possible. Although autism is a complete mess (disorder) are emphasized four main areas:
- sensory processing challenges, - delays and obstacles in communication / language - lack of skills in social interactions, and - overall sense child's self-esteem consequences.
should take into account that, although there are similarities in these four areas, Autism is a spectrum, which we find that there are 2 or 10 or 20 children with the same characteristics identical. Each child will be at a different point of the spectrum and as every parent, every teacher, every therapist, every caregiver ... ... ... .. will be at a different point of the spectrum. Each will have unique and special requirements.
10 Things We now want to wish our children with autism to know.
1) First and foremost I am a child Autism is just one aspect of my total character. Does not define me as a person . Are you a person with feelings, emotions, talent or you are fat (overweight), with glasses (nearsighted), lela (not coordinated)? Although the latter may be the ones I see, it still does not define you as a person. I'm still developing and discovering my abilities. Do not know exactly that I can be capable. To be defined only with a feature to run the risk of low expectations. If I sense that you think "I can not do it," my natural response will be: Why try??
2) My view is cluttered sensory perception may be the most difficult to deal with an autistic person and likely to be the most critical. Which implies that all the sensations of daily living (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch), passing unnoticed by others to cause me pain. Often the same environment where I live I can be hostile. May seem that I am retired and cautious of you, but actually I'm protecting something. This is where a "simple" trip to the Super ... ... .. may be the inferno to me. My hearing may be hyper acoustics. Dozens speak at a time, shaking sound systems with music, speakers scream the daily specials, cash registers with bells, whistles and hisses, the coffee grinder, butcher saw, fluorescent light with a sound that does not stop. "My brain can not filter all that encouragement, I'm going into overload" FUSION! (Meltdown). My sense of smell is as acute. Fish "sucks", which wipes the floor "roars", sausage, chicken, children with "popis", another clean with ammonia ... ... .... I have nausea. Because I intended to be a visual person, this may be the first of my senses to reach over-stimulated. Not only the fluorescent lights are very bright but they make noise "ZZZZZZZ - HHHmmmmm." The place seems to strike and it hurts my eyes. The light bounces around and distort what I see. The place seems to change constantly. The glare from windows, moving fans and now I can not even feel my body in space.
3) Please remember to distinguish between what is "not want to do" and "I can not do" My language is expressive I find most difficult, while my receptive language is better. Still, I want you remove the extra words that I speak to me directly (even though you do not hear you) smooth, clear and concise. This tells me that's what you want and what will happen after creating it easier to understand and so obey.
4) I have thought concrete and defined, so that will interpret language very literally. It's tough for me when using these, regionalism or metaphors. I do not understand, be direct and simple, by removing all those extra words is helpful.
5) Please be patient with my limited language. I find it difficult to verbalize what I need, especially not knowing the meaning of words. I can be hungry, frustrated, anxious, confused, angry and do not know how to express it. At that point release the best way I know and is retreating, running away, shaking or usually just stimulating me.
6) When the language difficult for me, is more effective teaching, visual models show me how to do things and do it many times, the repetition helps me to master the task. A visual schedule helps me see and understand the sequence of activities during the day. It helps me manage my time and be able to give you the expectations you want.
7) Please focus and build what I can do against what I can do my self esteem is important to me. Staying motivated when you only hear constant criticism is counterproductive. Just stop trying. Try to find strengths and I assure you it will.
8) Help me with my social interactions. Not seem to want to play with other children, but usually just do not know how to start conversations or play. Easier when they invite me and other children include me despite my clumsiness. I do better in gambling activities in which they are structured, where there is a clear beginning and clear end. I do not know how to read facial expressions, body language and emotions of others. So appreciate what I consider appropriate models.
9) Identify causing my EXPLOSIONS, my outbursts, my tantrums, the way you want to call it. These are horrible for me than for you. They occur because one of my senses are overloaded. If you can figure out why they happen, they could be prevented. Keep a log of the times, places, people, activities ... ... .. a pattern may emerge. Try to remember that all behavior is a way to communicate. When something happens in my environment, my behavior puts it better than "my" words. Furthermore, if present allergies, sleeplessness, gastrointestinal problems ... ... .. may have a profound effect on my behavior.
10) Love me unconditionally Feather thoughts "if he just ... ... ..", "why can not ... ... ... ..". Unable to meet expectations and be constantly reminded it becomes frustrating. I did not choose to have autism . Remember, this is happening to me me and not you. Without your support, my chances of success are limited. With your support and guidance the chances are greater of you think. I promise I am worth .
Finally three words: patience, patience, patience . Work view my autism as a different ability rather than viewing it as a disability. Do not look my limitations, but rather see what I have been given as a gift. I will not be good to maintain eye contact or conversation, but I bring other gifts me. Everything that I can convert not happen without you acting as my foundation. Be my defender, my party and see how far I can go.
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