| How can we help our children with autism fit in with | | | | dates when younger, and help your child learn how to |
| other kids? | | | | use the phone to invite another child over. By doing |
| As parents, it can break our hearts when we see our | | | | this on a regular basis, you can help your child |
| child with autism struggle with feeling different. Often | | | | appreciate her friend/s. |
| children with autism may end up avoiding social | | | | It's best to begin with one-on-one interactions, since |
| situations altogether because of the challenges of | | | | triads (three or more kids) can be very confusing for |
| decoding social signals. In addition, the noises, sounds, | | | | your child. |
| and smells of those around them may be too much | | | | Take Time to Teach: Before, During, and After |
| for them from a sensory standpoint. Finally, they may | | | | It's not always easy, but you are your child's best |
| have episodes of being bullied, and thus are afraid to | | | | advocate and teacher. In as non-intrusive a way as |
| deal with any more social situations. | | | | possible, talk with your child about what a good friend |
| Deal With Your Own Thoughts and Feelings About | | | | is like. You may want to check your local library for |
| Your Child With Autism | | | | kids' books that talk about and teach friendship in a |
| Sometimes, we are unaware of the depth of thought | | | | story. This will hep prepare your child for the concept |
| and emotion we have with our child. We may be in | | | | of friendship. |
| denial of his/her differences. We may unconsciously | | | | During the play date, you may need to intervene if you |
| be angry that they are not like neurotypical children, | | | | see really inappropriate behaviors, or if you see that |
| and we may be trying to make them be someone | | | | your child is not very engaged. |
| they aren't. We may be either overly focused on their | | | | After the play date, you can talk with your child about |
| weaknesses. | | | | how the time went, and discuss what went well, and |
| Make sure, as a parent, that you take the time to read | | | | what can be done differently. |
| autobiographies of children, teenagers, and adults on | | | | Realize That Your Child May Truly Enjoy and Need |
| the autism spectrum. Watch TV shows and movies | | | | Time Alone |
| that portray Aspergers and Autism in a realistic, yet | | | | Being alone is not the worst thing in the world. In fact, |
| positive light. Go on YouTube, for example, and view | | | | individuals on the autism spectrum are often mystified |
| the videos that Taylor Morris has put out. As parents, | | | | by how desperately NT's seem to want to connect |
| teachers, friends of individuals with autism, we need to | | | | with each other. Time alone in between time with |
| give them the respect of understanding what autism | | | | friends allows your child to explore his/her interests, be |
| spectrum is, and respecting the differences, strengths, | | | | away from distracting sounds and lights, and in his/her |
| and challenges. | | | | own comfort zone, which would usually be his/her |
| Once You Have Learned All About Autism, Teach | | | | room or home. |
| Your Child About His/Her Strengths | | | | Research Helpful Social Skill Materials and Share |
| It's absolutely paramount that you let your child know | | | | Them With the School Social Worker |
| how unique s/he is. Learn about his/her special | | | | School social workers have limited time, but they can |
| talents, interests, and abilities. Help him find activities in | | | | be very helpful in helping your child on the autism |
| which he can participate, which can help him learn | | | | spectrum learn appropriate social skills. If you are |
| more and build on those strengths. Once your child is | | | | involved in your child's individualized education planning, I |
| involved in some of these activities, she may find out | | | | would suggest that you look up Michelle Garcia Winner |
| that she connects with other kids with those same | | | | on the internet. All her material on social thinking is |
| interests. | | | | invaluable, and is written with teachers in mind, so that |
| Start Off Small | | | | these social skills can be literally written into your child's |
| Be on the lookout for other kids in your child's class | | | | individualized education plan. She writes in a way that |
| who may have connected with him/her. There are | | | | educators can understand, so that social and emotional |
| some special kids out there (NT's) who are genuinely | | | | intelligence can be broken down into goals and |
| nice, extroverted kids, and they will often serve as a | | | | objectives for your child. |
| kind of social buddy and friend to your child. Be | | | | I hope these tips come in helpful for you. |
| proactive about getting your child together for play | | | | |