Dealing with Difficult Behavior in Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum

 

Resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's:
 

==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book

Tips for Educators and Parents to Teach Children with ASD

Though every child has a unique learning ability and needs, children with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder need extra support and guidance to thrive. Both teachers and parents must understand the specific needs of your child with autism. Understanding the requirements is the primary basis for helping your children learn better and quicker.
 
Tips to help your child with ASD learn:
 
Establish a structured learning environment
 
A child who has autism will feel comfortable only in an environment where they have routine involving minimal deviations from their schedule and clear structures, says Janice, an educator who offers online finance assignment help. Thus, the educator needs to ensure that the lesson plans and the learning environment are structured so that it is easier for both the teachers and the students to know what needs to be done, how much is to be done, and for how long.

Further, both the child and the teacher should know about the subsequent flow of events after completing the task at hand.
 
Make communication seamless
 
Educators use several different types of communication techniques to educate children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A few learning centres employ a sign language for autistic children who lack adequate speech skills. Another useful technique that can help is facilitated communication. It ensures quick learning.

As part of this technique, you will hold the child’s arm or hand and persuade them to push the apt key on any portable communication device.   
 
Employ visual aids
 
For young children, especially children with ASD, visuals are a vital medium of learning, says Chloe, an educator with TAE. The tutors can incorporate photographs, drawings, language build cards, picture cards, stickers, if or then cards, among other things, into day-to-day activities.

You can also use some videos and online tutorials for delivery information visually. Visual learning makes it easier for the child to absorb the information.   
 
Know about the sensory issues
 
Generally speaking, children with ASD are either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the sensory stimuli, which generally we do not even notice. They can be bothered with smells of perfumes, buzzing of electrical appliances, unusual lights, and echoes from the environment. It can lead to an extreme reaction from them.

Thus, you need to be aware of their potential triggers and keep them at bay. You can offer them some sensory tools that can help them lower their stress levels and quickly process the information communicated to them.  
 
Encourage social engagements

As a parent or a teacher, you need to help your child with ASD develop the necessary skills and knowledge that are mandatory for social interaction, says Amy, who offers the best product management courses online and has a 5-year old with ASD. We agree with Amy’s point, but it is also crucial to know that a child who has autism usually might not seem interested in interacting with teachers, parents, and peers.

However, it is still quintessential to impart social skills to them. Teachers can use the classrooms as the perfect setting for this. Every childhood educator of a child with ASD should create an environment that encourages children to work on their communication skills.  
 
Activities have to be structured too
 
Maintaining a structure within different activities is also an effective way to facilitate learning in children with ASD. You can use visuals to provide the requisite information related to the activity or the task. For instance, use a timer to tell the child how long a particular task will last. In the activities, do not forget to include peer interactions, which can help them put their social skills to use.  
 
Direct language only
 
If you are dealing with a young ASD student, he may not pick up a figurative language or abstract concepts, and they might even take most of your said thing literally. Unfortunately, even the non- verbal cues, like facial expressions or hand gestures, might not be easy to comprehend for them.

For educators who are used to teaching children without autism, it might take a while for you to get the right wording for what you wish to say, says Stanley, who offers online do my economics homework service and works with an NGO to educate ASD students. However, at all times, you need to be as direct in your speed as possible.
 
Spare some extra time
 
Even after using direct language, there will be times when a child does not react or respond immediately. Thus, it would help if you gave the child some more time to absorb what you are communicating and then process it in their head.

So, if you are teaching a child with autism, patience is the key. Please bear in mind; at any time, if you rephrase the instructions, questions, or statements or rush through your speech, you are only slowing them down further because as they begin re-processing.
 
Bottom line
 
If you need guidance, you should consult a therapist or a doctor and even research new techniques to teach a child with autism. It is best to try new methods. It will help you judge what bets work with the child.

Lastly, do not lose patience. It only needs some effort and practice, and you will find a way that works with them the best.

10 Healthy Supplements to Consider for Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or simply autism is a condition that affects the way a person’s brain functions. It also impacts the social interaction, language, and basic communication of the affected person. Children with autism may involve repetitive behaviors. 

Although there is no curable remedy for autism, the treatment is based on the individual that may involve helping the patient through their symptoms with education, self-help, skill development and socialization. Children and adults who are affected with autism may develop limited food intake or choices. Since their bodies may break down fat differently it is possible that their bodies may lack certain nutrients. This is related to selective eating, decreased gut absorption, or depletion of nutrients from chronic stress. Hence, diet changes and supplementation have proved to be very helpful methods of aiding children with autism. With enhanced food choices, you can help your autistic child better manage the daily struggles.

Following are the ten broad dietary supplements that you can consider for helping autistic people:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential nutrients for the development of the brain and eyes in the body. Many children with autism also suffer from Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to the signals that are sent by the senses. Omega 3s have been found to be in lower levels among people with autism and therefore it becomes an important supplement to include in your child’s diet. Foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are fish oil, plant oil and nuts and seeds. Omega 3s also help fight joint pain and inflammation. Here’s an honest review on Omega XL which is a dietary supplement containing benefits of 30 different fatty acids. However, more research is needed into how Omega 3s can really help autistic individuals therefore its best to take your doctor’s advice on it.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps assist the brain in creating new connections and bettering already prevailing connections. It is said to affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies have shown that children with autism develop vitamin D deficiency. A daily dose of its supplement can help reduce the ASD symptoms affecting the child’s social interaction, communication and engaging in repetitive behaviors. Salmon, mackerel, tuna, fortified foods, egg yolks, milk and mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D.

Oxytocin

The chemical oxytocin is created naturally in the brain and has an effect in forming social interaction and bonding in an individual. When it comes to ASD symptoms, some children are found to have reduced oxytocin levels in their bodies and some do not. Hence, more clinical research is needed on how oxytocin can benefit kids with autism.

Melatonin

Melatonin helps regulate the sleep cycle in the body. This hormone helps in treating insomnia and those who are affected with sleeping disorders. It has been found that reduced levels of melatonin is correlated to severe ASD symptoms among kids. Effective melatonin supplementation has positive impact on autistic individuals with better sleep cycles and daytime behavior. Ask your doctor for the right dosage before starting its medicinal course. Nuts, seeds, grains like rice and barley, asparagus, tomato, olive, pomegranate, grapes and broccoli are foods that help increase levels of melatonin in the system.

Sulforaphane

Clinical trials have shown that supplements having sulforaphane (SF) have helped reduce the behavioral symptoms of people with ASD. Sulforaphane is found in broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale and mustard greens. Taking sulforaphane as a supplement can have an improved effect on social interaction, communication, and a reduction in aggressive behavior.

Methyl B 12

Methyl B12 comes from the vitamin family that plays an important role in the functioning of the body’s nervous system and it intermingles with folic acid to produce cells in the body. Children with reduced developmental capacity have an impairment in processing the body’s methyl B 12. Early lab research suggests that kids with autism showed improvement in few metabolic and cellular processes when given methyl B 12 supplements.

Vitamin C

Children with autism can find it hard to fight free radicals in the body, which can cause an imbalance in their system. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps protect the body from free radicals. A study with a small group showed that children with ASD symptoms showed reduction in typical autistic activities like flapping hands, pacing and rocking. However, more research is needed in this domain to find clinical evidence of benefits of vitamin C supplementation for autism. Red and green peppers, spinach, cabbage, turnip, leafy greens, winter squash, citrus fruits and tomatoes are rich sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin B-6 and Magnesium

Another great multivitamin is B-6 that has loads of health benefits. Magnesium ensures proper functioning of the brain and muscle cells and is found in many foods like whole grains, nuts and seeds and leafy greens. Vitamin B6 and magnesium are typically used together as supplements, as B6 can sometimes cause an upset stomach, and magnesium appears to counter that. Some studies have shown that children with autism may have a magnesium deficiency. Research on supplementing B-6 and magnesium is still in an early stage when it comes to ASD.

Calcium

Calcium helps you develop strong teeth and bones. Low calcium intake may lead to a high rate of bone fractures seen in children with autism. Rickets and eye-poking is often associated with calcium deficiency. Not only is calcium found in dairy products but in green leafy vegetables as well. Many calcium supplements come in the form of chewable pills, liquid and powders. It is advisable to take your doctor’s opinion for catering to autistic patients.

Zinc

Zinc plays a vital role in enzyme function, nucleic acid metabolism, growth, and cellular repair. It is a major factor in the etiology of behavioral and mood disturbances in humans and its deficiency is high in children diagnosed with ASD. Meat foods, nuts and seeds, seafood and legumes are rich in zinc.