| It is most unfortunate that many wonderful parents | | | | it or not, focusing on his or her areas of strength can |
| feel that they lack competence in dealing with their | | | | be used to improve areas of weakness. For example |
| autistic child. It can be strange and depressing to feel | | | | let's say your child like books but does not engage in |
| like your normal maternal or fatherly instincts can be | | | | any kind of play. Rather than force him to play with a |
| wrong when it comes with interacting with your own | | | | toy he doesn't like, start using books for imaginary play. |
| child. | | | | Pretend to do what the characters in the book are |
| But parents usually go too far in the opposite direction | | | | doing. Use the books to work on social conversation |
| and stop having any natural parent child interaction | | | | and academic skills. |
| worrying that if they resort to normal parental behavior | | | | Remember to celebrate improvements, no matter |
| and maybe just fool around and talk nonsensically with | | | | how small they may be. And be sure to share the joy |
| their child, they will lose precious moments of | | | | of your child's progress with the people who love him. |
| intervention time. | | | | Finally don't forget every child wants and needs to feel |
| Because children with autism don't recieve pleasure | | | | loved by his parents. Any activity that you and your |
| from simple games such as hiding go seek, peek a | | | | child enjoy together is precious whether its watching |
| boo, or follow the leader and since they probably won't | | | | TV together or sharing and ice cream cone. Yes it's |
| come running to you when you call out to them, | | | | necessary to alter some of the ways of interacting |
| parents need a whole new set of parenting skills which | | | | with your child to facilitate his learning, it's equally |
| if they are not careful, can add more stress to their | | | | necessary to maintain the basic loving relationship of |
| already emotional lives. | | | | parent and child and if you only think yourself as his |
| Your child may have areas that need intervention but | | | | therapist, then you need to find your way back to |
| every child also has special areas of strength. Believe | | | | being a loving parent again. |