Coping with Autism

Autism is a disorder that can be very challenging and depressing at first. But for the sake of your child you must be stoic and create the normalcy which would otherwise be denied to them

For parents it is definitely challenging to come to grips with the fact that their child may be autistic. But panic and anxiety have never helped in managing a crisis.

Autism is a neurobiological disorder that affects the physical and social development of the afflicted person. It causes psychological disturbances, which hampers speech and reaction to stimuli, creates incorrect interpretation of the surroundings, and leads to the development of unusual behavioural patterns. The symptoms of this disease usually appear when a child is two or three years old.

As a parent there is a lot you can do. It is important to know that each case of autism is unique and, therefore, your approach must also be tailor-made to suit the specific requirements of a child.

Signs and Symptoms

It is often observed that infants suffering from autism do not react to physical contact or display affection. They may also have great difficulty in learning to speak. Important traits include involuntary body movements and hypersensitivity towards certain situations and the absolute lack of sensitivity to other situations. Pranav is eight years and is autistic. His father says, “When Pranav was just three years old, he would, at times, behave in a strange manner.   At times Pranav would get paranoid and throw tantrums for no reason. At other times, he would almost have an obsessive fascination towards certain objects such as the face of a toy or a key ring and would stare at these things for a very long time.”

There are no tests to diagnose autism. It can only be detected through critical observation of a child’s behaviour and the development pattern of his normal skills such as speaking, hearing, motor skills, and reaction to stimuli.

Care and Research

You need to first of all be a loving parent. Everything else is secondary. Next you should always keep abreast of the latest in scientific assessments of autism.

The following are some ways you can adopt to care for an autistic child.

• Love and Affection – Shower unconditional love and affection on your child. These children are special and you need to make them feel special. Never ever neglect or discourage them. Your love and affection is the most important source of sustenance for your child. . 

• Get Informed – Stay informed about the latest developments in the field of autism management. Acquaint yourself with the latest developments and approaches in medical science. Get in touch with institutions, organisations, and special schools which provide assistance to autistic children. It is a revelation of sorts when you meet many other parents and families who are going through the same situation as you are. Sharing stories will build a sense of solidarity and strength.

• Combined Approach – A multi-dimensional approach is required. Since autism affects different aspects of development a combined approach is often the way out. Behavioural therapy is employed to enhance the social skills and sensory stimuli, whereas auditory and speech training is used for improving hearing and speaking skills. Medicines and certain dietary changes also greatly improve the general condition of an autistic person.

Children suffering from a mild form of autism can easily be integrated into the mainstream education system with the aid of specific individual changes to the learning environment. Education for children afflicted by a severe form of this disorder can be imparted through special coaching classes in normal or special schools.

Self Care

As a parent, you need to constantly be on your toes to look after your child whether they are healthy or not. In case your child is autistic, this can be a lot more stressful than you imagine. You might find yourself exhausted with all the attention the condition of your child demands. Your own health is very important as any breakdown on your part will directly affect the future of your child. So take extra care of yourself. Make sure you eat right and sleep a good many hours in a day.

Give them a normal life

Arpita Singh a child counsellor says, “The best way to deal with this situation is to evaluate the extent of this disorder on the autism spectrum. This can be achieved by testing the different skills of the afflicted child. Once the severity of the problem is assessed a multi dimensional approach must be taken to manage this condition.” She also says, “Children stricken with autism are often gifted individuals. Parents need to identify these talents and nurture them.” 

As a parent the best thing you can gift your child is hope - your hope and faith in your child. Children who are diagnosed with autism are often very talented in something or the other. It is up to you to discover this secret talent and help nurture his interests and skills, and give them a normal life.