The needs of an autistic child differ somewhat from a normal child, as some find it difficult to provide for his daily needs and raise him in general, especially since autism affects the child’s interaction and communication with others. On the other hand, the needs of an autistic child also differ from one case to another, so their individual requirements must be understood and dealt with in the appropriate manner. Within the Welfare Center of Al Mousa Health Hospital, we can know all the details about the cases of an autistic child and how to deal with each case under specialized and competent medical supervision.
What are the needs of an autistic child?
Parents always struggle to provide the best care and attention to the autistic child and know how to deal with him in a way that suits him to increase his growth and work to develop them, but the needs of the autistic child vary and these needs include several aspects, which are as follows:
Social support
Support requires some methods to help the autistic child interact with those around him, through the following:
- Communication: An autistic child requires specific ways to communicate with others through signs, speech, or using pictures.
- Social interaction: Autistic children always need opportunities that enable them to interact with their families and work on developing their skills.
- Containment: An autistic person should always feel accepted by others and society and carry out social activities carried out by the family.
Behavioral and psychological support
Autistic children need comprehensive support to manage and deal with their behaviors, especially in outbursts of anger. Behavioral therapy also has an effective role in acquiring new skills and modifying unwanted behavior. In addition, one of the most important needs of an autistic child is to provide him with psychological support and help him face all challenges.
Medical support
Early diagnosis of the condition to determine the appropriate support and provide it continuously. There are also some cases that require medical treatment to get rid of sleep disorders or treat stomach and digestive system problems. Early intervention and providing appropriate treatment for the condition helps develop the child’s skills and increase his integration into the surrounding society.
Educational support
It is worth noting that the needs of an autistic child, like any other child, need to be provided with educational support that suits his condition. There are some educational programs designated for children with autism that meet their individual needs with a focus on demonstrating the strengths they possess, including teaching them daily life skills such as self-care and how to prepare food, which always increases their independence.
تعرف على: ما هي Traits of autism How to diagnose and treat
What are the behaviors of an autistic child?
There are some different behaviors that appear in an autistic child with different interests, which makes him find it difficult to deal with others and form new social relationships. These behaviors include the following:
- Repetition of words: People with autism repeat words and phrases, whether written or heard.
- The autistic child's focus is on some specific things, whether in toys, cars, etc. Therefore, providing the autistic child's needs helps him acquire and develop more skills.
- Autistic children tend to arrange things, especially toys, in a specific way and feel uncomfortable if their arrangement is changed.
- Most of the time, the child tends to play in stereotypical ways and does not rely on imaginative play.
- Some cases find it difficult to adapt to the surrounding environment and routine changes, which causes a feeling of discomfort.
- The autistic child faces excessive sensitivity to sensory stimuli, whether in lights, smells, sounds, etc.
In addition to what we mentioned, there are some difficult behaviors that an autistic child is exposed to, including:
- Severe bouts of anger as a result of feeling stressed and anxious and unable to express their needs for some things.
- The appearance of some aggressive behaviors towards others or towards himself, where he hits himself.
- He refuses to do some of the tasks required of him with extreme stubbornness, so the needs of the autistic child must always be highlighted and presented in the appropriate way for him to avoid exposure to such behaviors.
What are the strategies for dealing with an autistic child?
Providing strategies for dealing with an autistic child is one of the most important methods of supporting the child and increasing their personal and social capabilities. The most important of these strategies are the following:
- First, we must focus on the positives of the autistic child, as they are the main factor in increasing their self-confidence and developing their talents. The more the child feels encouraged and appreciated, the more motivation he has to continue and learn, which helps strengthen the relationship between the child and his surrounding environment.
- Time management and providing for the needs of an autistic child is one of the educational tools required for the child to realize the value of his time and organize his daily activities.
- Autistic children must be taught methods of calming anger, as they are a major part of behavioral guidance. This is done through breathing exercises and muscle relaxation to deal with feelings of anger and frustration. Thus, the child can control reactions and improve his skills for dealing with others.
- A specific daily routine must be followed with the child so that he can enjoy a stable environment without feeling anxious and stressed. Thus, the child is more able to interact with others and learn better. Also, setting a fixed time for daily activities such as playing, sleeping, and meals makes the child feel safe, stable, and increases his concentration.
- It should be noted that the needs of an autistic child do not depend only on dealing with others, but rather the child must be taught to self-monitor in order to know how to manage their feelings and know the physical signs when feeling frustrated or angry and deal with them, thus helping you build the child’s independent personality and enjoy a better daily life.
- A safe area must be provided inside the home for the autistic child, as it is one of the most important things for the child to have his own space and a sense of stability, and to provide some important items such as their favorite toys and pillows, which helps reduce their stress and anxiety.
- You must pay attention and focus on the child's non-verbal expressions so that you can understand the needs of the autistic child and deal with them by understanding signals or facial expressions, thus increasing mutual understanding and strengthening the relationship between the child and his surrounding environment.
- Some realistic expectations must be set when dealing with an autistic child, which enhances the child’s personal development in society, as parents must always understand that every child is different from the other and possesses different abilities that must be dealt with carefully in order to suit their needs.
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Tips for dealing with the needs of an autistic child
Dealing with an autistic child is an opportunity to discover the world from another side and learn new and innovative ways of communicating. Therefore, you must follow some tips that enable you to deal carefully with autistic children, which are as follows:
- Understanding the needs of the autistic child, as each child has his own unique and distinct world with which he can interact in various ways. Therefore, the child’s signals must be understood and responded to. The child’s needs can also be identified by knowing the interests and activities he enjoys and directing the required care that suits him.
- Motivation and rewards are one of the most important effective methods in dealing with an autistic child, as they help encourage positive behaviors in him and increase his abilities and self-confidence, and parents can repeat such behaviors to develop his skills.
- Training the autistic child to deal with life changes and accept them. In addition, the child must be directed to understand life in general and deal with it. The needs of the autistic child may vary according to the changes that gradually occur around him.
- Ways to deal with the child through school that require a thoughtful and planned approach through clear communication through pictures and videos or communication with teachers and parents to provide educational methods between home and school.
- Increase his sense of independence by performing daily tasks such as bathing, eating, and dressing. Over time, the child gains confidence and becomes more independent.
الاسئلة الشائعة :
What games does an autistic child like?
There are some toys that autistic patients always tend to, and they are toys that include similar shapes and colors, such as crayons, cube toys, and light and musical toys. These toys are considered a major factor in developing the child’s communication skills, increasing his social relationships with family and relatives, and reducing his sensitivity to external influences.
What is the food for an autistic child?
An autistic child's choice depends on avoiding some types of foods and replacing them with other types, with the aim of focusing on foods that contain the required nutrients, focusing on eating fat-free fruits and vegetables such as chicken, fish, and rice, and relying on healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. Parents are keen to gradually introduce new foods specifically within the needs of the autistic child.
Can an autistic child eat on his own?
Yes, of course most autistic children can eat on their own, keeping in mind that they need some training and assistance from those around them by setting fixed times for eating and serving meals in small portions throughout the day, in addition to training in using eating utensils to facilitate eating alone with a spoon or fork in one hand.
At the end of our conversation about the needs of an autistic child, providing strategies for dealing with an autistic child and working to provide innovative ways to develop their skills. Parents must have patience and perseverance to help them develop their mental and physical skills and abilities and have a safe, independent life. This is done by relying on activities that develop the child’s social communication skills step by step, and also by seeking the assistance of the skilled doctors of the Al-Rafah Center of Al-Mousa Health Hospital who follow precise therapeutic programs to treat and identify the needs of the autistic child.
Sources
Autism Special Needs Checklist: Big Kids (Ages 6–12) – kidshealth
