Scholastic Intervention Solutions

Children within the autism spectrum experience stressors and problems like other children and adults. But sometimes, these indicate mental health issues. Mental health counselors can help your kids deal with and face these problems. They will also teach your child healthy coping mechanisms to help them manage their mental health issues.

To learn more about how mental health counselors can help, we listed these common mental health problems with you. We will also share with you the different ways that professionals work with them.

To learn more about how mental health counselors can help, we listed the following common mental health problems for you. We will also share with you the different ways that professionals work with them.  

Specific Phobias

There are several types of anxiety disorders affecting children with autism. Research shows that about 40 percent of people with this disorder are affected by specific phobias. This disorder is characterized by an irrational and overwhelming fear of objects or situations. Usually, there is no real danger associated with the distress. However, they still make your child experience anxiety and, sometimes, avoidance.

The other symptoms of specific phobias include:

• Immediate feeling of intense panic and fear when facing or thinking about the source of the phobia.
• Increasing anxiety when near the object of fear.
• Inability to perform when facing the object of fear
• Physical symptoms like excessive sweating, tightness of the chest, and difficulty breathing
• Tantrums, clinginess, and crying

If you notice these signs, it might be helpful for you to take your child to a mental health counselor. They can help your kid process their feelings and understand where these fears come from. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are treatment methods used to deal with this problem. Counselors can also teach parents how to deal with panic attacks among their children.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is another anxiety disorder common to children with autism. It manifests through excessive worrying about everyday events and experiences. Often the worries and stress are disproportionate to the actual causes of these anxieties. 

Rules and routines help children with autism. However, the threat and worries from their anxieties may feel too much. It may even disrupt their daily functions. Unlike specific phobias, there is no apparent reason for the troubling thoughts and feelings. It is also sometimes unclear why the anxiety attacks occur. These can be troubling for your kid, especially if they also have trouble expressing themselves.

Sometimes, it is not easy to recognize generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety often manifests in uncommon ways. Here are some symptoms that you should look out for:

• Restlessness
• Fatigue and sleep disturbance
• Irritability
• Muscle tension

A mental health counselor will help your child voice and understand the troubling thoughts and emotions. They can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to modify these consuming thoughts and behaviors. Mental health professionals can also prescribe medications and other kinds of treatments. This is for managing the effects of generalized anxiety disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder

People with autism face social challenges daily. Some of them learn scripts to say in certain events and settings. Yet, they still have trouble gauging other complex social interactions.  Children with this condition also commonly experience another anxiety disorder called social anxiety disorder.

People with social anxiety disorders may share similar symptoms with those on the autism spectrum. An example of this is avoidance of stimuli. However, we need to understand that it differs from case to case.  An example would be Asperger’s syndrome, which is still under the autism spectrum. The difference is that the diagnosis of Asperger’s does not include anxiety. 

Social anxiety disorder gives irrational feelings of fear and worries in social situations. Children affected with this condition become uncomfortable with other people watching and judging them. They often think that their actions are embarrassing for themselves and others. This adds to their stress since they already find it hard to understand and interpret social cues. 

Mental health counselors can help your children with their social interactions. One method is social skills training. This kind of therapy teaches patients to learn and practice specific skills in a controlled environment. Therapists break down social practices into steps, so children can better understand them. 

Depression

A meta-analysis of studies about depression in people in the spectrum suggests that they are four times more likely to suffer from this condition. However, it is harder to notice the symptoms among children with autism. This is because they show minimal changes in facial emotion. 

Children with autism may also find it difficult to express their emotions. Sometimes, we may not even recognize and know if they are thinking about hurting themselves. So, it is essential to familiarize ourselves with the other symptoms of depression. These include:

• Sudden changes in appetite and sleep
• Sudden loss of weight
• Decreased motivation in doing activities they typically enjoy
• Overfatigue
• Agitation, inattentiveness, and anxiety

Sometimes, depression also comes from anxiety and other feelings that our young ones experience outside the home. For example, bullying in schools may result in trauma, social isolation, and loneliness. Unfortunately, we cannot constantly monitor our kids’ activities outside. But we can always reach out to their peers or teachers and mental health counselors if we notice the symptoms.

Mental health counselors can provide social support to your child. They may also use a modified version of cognitive behavioral therapy to assist your young one. This means using visual aids to explain abstract concepts and adopting a predictable routine during treatment. 

Children with autism struggle more because of the challenges that they face that others do not deal with. As parents, it is our role to help them deal with these additional worries. Fortunately, we are not alone in caring for our young ones. Mental health counselors can help with the problems that our children face. They will also prepare us for how we can help at home when our children need our help.

Do you remember the time you were teenagers and so eager to explore the world? Adolescence is a scary yet exciting period of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. We all experience significant changes in our lives. These can be physical, social, or emotional changes. As adolescents, we shape our future selves as we become mature enough to make our own choices.

Knowing how challenging adolescence can be, it is normal for any parent to worry about their teenager. When you have a child with autism, you may feel even more anxious thinking about their future. How will they traverse this complex world? Will they be able to take care of themselves and enjoy life at the same time? The good thing is, counseling for both parents and teens is now available in various forms. 

Adolescence And Autism

Puberty will be a different experience for each person, even for adolescents in the spectrum. It is a time for them to use their strengths and develop the skills they need in life. It is not just about body and hormonal changes for people diagnosed with ASD. Being a teen and preparing for adulthood can be an overwhelming experience. They have to adapt to changes in their routine, environment and demands all at once.

Take a moment to look back at your adolescent days. Most of us will have memories of hanging out with friends and confessing to crushes. Some might even try to earn a few bucks by doing paper routes or babysitting. We spent most days in high school hallways and classrooms thinking about how to pass our subjects. All of these experiences made us the adults we are now. 

What about adolescents with autism? Different counseling strategies are available for common questions parents have, such as:

• What is it like managing typical teenage rebellion with behavioral issues?
• Will they understand the importance of personal hygiene or picking out the right clothes?
• How do you teach grooming like shaving for those with sensory issues?
• How do teens with social difficulties make friends in high school?
• Will they be able to navigate in the community alone?
• Will they be able to take care of themselves?
• Will they handle adult responsibilities, like housekeeping and managing bills, well?

Social Skills Training

Some teens with autism may have difficulties in social situations. They may find it even more challenging as they need to communicate with unfamiliar people. Examples are ordering from a barista or working on a project in school. Social skills training will help in counseling teens with basic social rules. The counselor will help them develop communication skills, understand social norms, and solve common problems.

Social skills training is done either individually or in a group. Counselors will help teens pick up non-verbal cues. Examples of this include eye contact, body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This will help them develop social thinking as they see other people’s perspectives. This will also enable them to practice their social skills with the guidance of a counselor or therapist. It may include trips to the grocery store, asking for directions, and the like.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy for teens who have difficulty adapting to a situation. This counseling technique focuses on a person’s thoughts and feelings as it affects their behavior. It teaches teens to replace maladaptive thoughts with more positive ones. CBT is a multi-step process usually performed one-on-one with a trained counselor.

The CBT process begins with identifying the negative thoughts affecting a person’s behavior. Some common examples are teens feeling like nobody likes them, and this hinders them from making friends. Counselors may also teach relaxation techniques for anxiety in situations like these. The goal of CBT is to teach conscious and effective coping strategies. These strategies become easier for the patient over time.

Group Activities

As your child becomes older, they develop a sense of autonomy. They form perspectives or opinions different from yours. The generation gap becomes more evident, and suddenly, your teen would rather spend time with their peers than with you. Take this opportunity to engage your child in group counseling and therapy. Under the supervision of a counselor, your teen can model their peer’s behavior. In the presence of others, your teenager may be more motivated to learn and participate.

Group therapy focuses on specific skills and hobbies. One example is learning self-care techniques during puberty. Another example is social skills training. Some group therapies aim to improve siblings or classmate relationships. Exposing your child to different people will help them form their perspectives.

Independent Living Skills Training

It’s impractical to give your full attention and efforts to your child with autism. At some point in time, they will need skills to help them stand on their own. Adolescence is the best period to teach them basic life skills to get them to function on their own. Learning these independent living skills can empower them. This will help them engage in more activities at home and in the community. 

Just like with social skills, adolescents can learn life skills through education and guided practice. These life skills consist of basic activities of daily living, like eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Learning more complex activities is also important. Some examples are maintaining the house, handling finances, driving, and walking around the community. They will be guided to do these activities until they can manage by themselves.

Transitioning From School To The Real World Setting

Adolescents attend school to learn knowledge, skills, and behaviors in preparation for the bigger world outside. Not all adolescents learn these things easily like most, so there has to be a solution. Some may need individualized transitioning programs to help them navigate through school, work, and life in general. In particular, adolescents with autism may struggle to socialize with their peers and future colleagues. 

As part of a successful transitioning program, it’s important to start while they are young. One strategy is to have their non-autism-diagnosed peers mediate their interactions. Another strategy is to supervise adolescents with autism to build a peer network with similar interests as them. Adolescents can also be exposed to work and other practices to give them an idea of their future life. 

Being left alone in a trailer by my mother since I was 12 years old and needing to fend for myself for years before a social worker could put me in the foster care system was brutal. It was the worst experience that I would never wish for anyone to have. I was too young to work, so I had to look for leftover food at the dumpsters behind restaurants for months. Sometimes, the neighbors would take pity on me and give me bread, but they were dirt poor like me, so it did not happen as often as I hoped. Of course, as I lived in a trailer park, it meant that I got exposed to people doing shady stuff, which mostly involved drug abuse and selling.

How I never got tempted to try snorting coke or at least smoking pot always astounded people who heard my life story for the first time. After all, when such activities were too common in your neighborhood, and you did not have an adult in your life to tell you what NOT to do, it was easy to ride the tide. My best guess was that the social worker saved me from all that before I needed actual saving.

Once I went to foster care, I got lucky in finding an elderly couple who wanted to adopt me after I stayed with them for months. If you must know, adoption was rare for older foster kids. I did not have any known relatives to counter my foster parents’ case, so I became legally adopted on my 14th birthday.

Living The Dream

I was technically the elderly couple’s only child, and they doted on me in every way possible. If they saw me looking at something for more than a few seconds at the mall, they would ask, “Would you like us to get that for you?” If I seemed unhappy, they would worry as any parent should. 

In truth, I was not interested in a lot of material objects. It was enough for me to have a smartphone and a computer. The only thing I actually requested from my adoptive parents was to allow me to study counseling after high school. As expected, they gave me their full support, but Mom curiously asked why I wanted to take up counseling instead of other degrees.

“I am lucky to have new parents like you, but I still want to go back to the trailer park someday and offer counseling to substance abusers and hopefully help them turn their lives around,” I replied. 

How long do you have to go to school to be a drug counselor? 

 A drug counselor spends the same number of years – at least six – at school as any counselor. The only difference is that they have chosen to specialize in substance abuse.

How long does it take to get a CADC? 

 If you want to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC), you need to allocate 270 hours of your time to attend various related courses. On top of that, you are required to complete an internship for at least 3,000 hours. All these may take place within six months or longer. 

What are the eight practice dimensions of addiction counseling? 

• Clinical Evaluation: The first step is to screen and assess the patient’s condition to ensure that they qualify for addiction counseling. 
• Treatment Planning: When it becomes evident that they can avail addiction counseling, the counselor will plan how long they should receive treatment, what kind of counseling they should get, etc.
• Referral: In this step, the counselor figures out what treatments they cannot provide in the facility and refer the patient to mental health professionals who can provide those.
• Service Coordination: It is also essential for the counselor to coordinate with the patient and their loved ones and other concerned individuals regarding the upcoming treatment. Doing so guarantees that everyone is on the same page, which increases addiction counseling’s success rate.
• Counseling: The actual counseling takes place at this point. The counselor will most likely recommend a one-on-one session to the patient to ensure that they can feel comfortable opening up about their problem. Over time, they may suggest group counseling and introduce the patients to others with the same issues.
• Education: The mental health professional aims to educate everyone involved in the patient’s life regarding addiction and its symptoms. 
• Documentation: Any progress that the patient makes every session needs to be recorded in written form. This way, the future psychologists or counselors they work with will know their mental status.
• Professional/Ethical Responsibilities: It is among the counselor’s responsibilities to assess what symptoms or other issues they cannot treat and be honest about. They don’t try to fix such problems; instead, they help the patient look for another professional who can help them.

How long does it take to become an LCDC? 

 Becoming a licensed chemical dependency counselor requires you to spend 270 hours studying for it. Then, 135 out of those 270 hours must be focused on chemical dependency courses.

Can a felon be a drug counselor? 

 The answer depends on which state you live in. If you are in California, for instance, felons and other criminals can become drug counselors. However, many states do not allow that, especially if you have been newly acquitted for your crimes.

How do I get CAADC? 

 To get a CAADC certification, you must present a master’s degree in any mental health profession (preferably behavioral science) and complete alcohol and drug counseling courses. After that, you need to pass the IC&RC test and work for at least 4,000 hours in your desired field.

What can a CADC do? 

 A CADC helps addicted individuals figure out why they have developed an addiction in the first place. Most of the time, they sort of know the reason, but they are in denial about it.

How do I get CCAPP certified? 

 The first thing that CCAPP will ask you before getting certified is a high school diploma. Once you pass the initial assessment, you can enroll at their accredited programs related to ethics, counseling skills, communication, etc. This is a requirement for everyone, even for individuals who apply for certification after getting their bachelor’s or master’s degree.

What does CADC III stand for? 

 CADC-III stands for the highest level of certification that you can get as an alcohol and drug counselor.

How difficult is it for a felon to get a job? 

 The level of difficulty depends on how long it has been since you got convicted of a felony. If it is relatively new, you may struggle to find a company that will accept you without looking at your criminal record. Despite that, more companies try not to discriminate against felons and other criminals and hire them based on their skills.

Can felons become social workers? 

 Yes, felons can technically become social workers. They can apply for a license in their state, but the approval depends on the type of felony they have committed. Some also conduct a criminal background assessment. 

If you genuinely want to become a social worker, you may get a California license, where they have pretty relaxed rules regarding who can be certified or not.

What is a CDCA certification?

The Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) certification is the first accreditation type you should get to become a chemical dependency counselor.

Final Thoughts

The road to professional counseling took almost a decade of studying. No matter how challenging it was, though, my adoptive parents did not cease to support and encourage me to continue following my noble dreams. As of 2020, I already got the certifications required to become a substance abuse counselor and started to offer free counseling at impoverished communities throughout the country.

 

Autism can be a lot of things because it has a wide variety of symptoms. Quite possibly, a person’s autism condition tends to be different from other autistic individuals. There is no exact diagnosis of its condition because people feel and experience different behaviors and mental illness responses. They have different triggers, and they deal with their surroundings differently. Autism is not just about an individual who seems unable to talk, act, and behave in a normal way. There are more than meets the eye on their mental health state.

Source: pixabay.com

There Is No Possibility To Outgrow Autism – Autism stems from the changes in people’s brain development. It is not something someone can outgrow over time because it is a lifelong condition that needs proper care and assistance. Though mental illness can affect people’s lives, it does not mean they cannot make significant improvements. Autistics, given with the right medication and treatment, can improve their social and language abilities over time.

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism – Funny that some individuals believe that vaccines cause autism. But the truth is, it is 100% categorically incorrect. There are so many studies in this area, and all results end up finding not a single trace of any association of autism and vaccinations. Vaccines are specifically made for preventable diseases such as measles, influenza, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and so on. It is one of the few cost-effective interventions that are successful in keeping up with public health demands.

Source: pixabay.com

Not All Autistics Have Savant Skills – Many of us believe that when people are mentally disabled, they automatically possess and demonstrate a specific ability in a far or excess average. Yes, quite autistic individuals have special skills such as painting, math, problem-solving abilities that can come pretty much extraordinary. However, not all autistics are like that. In fact, these special abilities only apply to a small portion of people diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Autistics Are Emphatic – Autism by some means has problems in recognizing subtle communicational cues. These include body language, voice pitch and tones, and so on. Autistics somehow cannot relate when a person is angry or upset. But when emotional communications are done directly towards them, they become emphatic. They feel empathy when other people show sadness and loneliness. They recognize emotional needs.

Autistics Can Have A Great Sense Of Humor – The idea that autistics are too sensitive is false. The truth is, autistics actually have a lot of sense of humor. Autistic individuals understand a joke and can come up with one as well. It is entirely unacceptable to assume that they can no longer appreciate a humorous conversation because they are somewhat socially incapable of dealing with others. It is essential to consider that autistics are also capable of having a funny character.

Source: pixabay.com

Autistic Can Have Quality Friendship – Autistics indeed has significant difficulties with social interaction. There is anxiety everywhere, which sometimes makes them feel like making friends is a struggle. Autistics suffer from direct communication. That is why they often choose not to express themselves to avoid confusion and judgments. However, their social skill problems do not mean they lack the desire for quality friendships. Contrary to that, autistics like to socialize, though it could mean differently.

Autistics Are Not Violent – Often, there are lots of misinformation that tells autistics are violent. Do not be fooled by that. No evidence can support the claim that autistics are more violent than the rest of the population. They do not necessarily express their unwanted emotions through a volatile rage. Yes, their spectrum disorder may cause them a sudden outburst, but it is not at all related to the intent of harming other individuals.

Not All Autistic Are Intellectually Disabled – We all know that quite a couple of people in the spectrum have intellectual disabilities. However, it does not count everyone. Just because autistics have social communication issues, that does not mean they are no longer capable of critical thinking and problem-solving. In fact, they are smart and intelligent in their ways. It requires a different assessment that does not rely too much on communication skills.

Source: pixabay.com

Autistics Can Maintain A Healthy Romantic Relationship – Contrary to the beliefs, people with autism spectrum disorder can have a happy and healthy relationship. Just like the rest of the community, they understand the need for intimate connection. Yes, there are quite a few people in the spectrum who chooses not to engage in a romantic relationship. But that does not mean autistics are not capable of having one. Autistics can form a connection and bond with the opposite sex, and they can keep it.

Every individual with a spectrum disorder is different. They are full of their unique talents and personalities. Thus, their challenges and needs also vary. The guidelines of autistics’ condition rely on understanding.

Dealing with autism now that I am a teenager is quite different from when I was a child. Maybe that is because, in some instances, I can already identify some of the emotions that once bothered me. I have an impression of what I am dealing with, and somehow I understand the risk of my psychological condition. That being said, there is something I know I can and still can’t do. That is why there are specific people who guide and support me through the life challenges caused by autism. That is none other than my family.

Source: pixabay.com

Walking Through The Experience

At times, I can stay calm. I can have a proper conversation with people around me, especially when I am taking my medications. I can pretty much interact with my friends and family like an average individual. I can understand a couple of jokes, and I can ride with it. I can make some jokes myself too. However, things escalate when I sense triggers. Every time something catches my attention, I lose all the focus. I become more drawn to things that are not supposed to be a big deal. These include flashing lights, unexpected noise, and unusual items. It is pretty much stuff like that. I get too excited and extremely overwhelmed about everything that surrounds me.

Whenever I am having some trigger issues, my family keeps on talking to me. My family tries their best to get my attention so that I can manage to stay in line with my emotions and actions. But there are times that they leave me alone. Perhaps that is because some of my triggers are not that alarming at some point. My family ensures that I listen to them attentively so that I can avoid further emotional turmoil. Honestly, I know it is not easy for them to control their emotions as well. But when I am having a difficult time understanding myself, they try not to cause any additional damage to the situation.

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The Unexpected Turn Of Events

Teenage autism can get out of hand sometimes. When I sense the change in my emotional pattern, I feel the agitation rising quickly. That explains why when I can’t seem to control myself, I start fidgeting, thumping my feet, shaking my hands, and continually changing my facial expression. In some unfortunate instances, when I am experiencing a total loss of physical control over my body, I start to bump my head and eventually hurt myself.

When I reached the point where I no longer want to listen to anyone, it becomes a real problem. It is like I can become a different person in just a few seconds. There are too many emotions that I cannot contain anymore. And sometimes, it becomes entirely difficult to be in charge of my behaviors. I always scream, cry, and throw tantrums like a 6-year-old kid who wants to have candies. I can’t breathe, and all I think about is the changing patterns I don’t want to experience. I get angry over nothing. There are instances that when my family tries to comfort me, I tend to react more viciously.

Source: pixabay.com

I know it is hard for my family to see me in that specific situation. And as much I don’t want them to worry about it, there is pretty much nothing I can do to stop. My parents and my siblings often tell me that things are going to be okay. But I can’t seem to convince myself that what they are saying is true. I wouldn’t say I like it when I am at my worst and having a meltdown because I seem to be a different person. To top it off, I hate it most because it makes me unintentionally hurt my loved ones.

Things I Am Thankful For

It is not always that I do not listen to what my family tells me every time I am having a meltdown. But I won’t lie. It hurts me to see them trying so hard not to show their exhaustion and frustrations towards the things I do. Usually, when they try and help me get through my emotional dilemma, I feel bad for them. They do not deserve to experience my uncontrollable mood swings. But regardless of my condition, my family always ensures that I get to be comfortable with myself. They always find time to encourage me to take a deep breath, and often, that somehow resolves my emotional stress. Though I know, my meltdown will soon start to repeat itself after a couple of hours.

Source: pixabay.com

I am just so thankful for my family’s support, patience, and unconditional love. Without those things, I might probably look at life the other way around. So, for the well-being of my family, I will continue to try my best to manage my mental situation in the best way possible.

Routines faced interruptions because of the quarantine imposed by the government due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kids and teens alike are affected by this sudden change, especially children with autism. 

Adapting a new routine will help children with autism relax and cope with the unstable environment. And here are some fun and learning activities you can do with them to keep them entertained while in quarantine.

Household Chores

One of the entertaining things you can do with your child with autism is household chores! Yes, cleaning the house, making their beds, and doing the dishes are some activities that can entertain your child.

Not only do these tasks distract them, but it can also be their outlet to release their stress from being locked at home. Incorporate a cleaning day in their schedule and let your child destress while helping you with the household chores.

Arts And Crafts

Another fun and relaxing activity that you can do with your child involves arts and crafts. Painting, drawing, and creating things are some art activities that you can do at home.

Children with autism often struggle with verbal and social communication but are good at thinking visually and in pictures. Crafting with your child not only entertains them but also helps them have their medium for expressing their emotions.

Also, this can motivate them to learn and create while having fun. Your kid may also discover their artistic side and find a new hobby that they’ll love.

Online Learning

One of the critical activities that have been affected by this pandemic is learning. But that should not be the case. Going to school may not be possible now, but education can continue even at home.

Also, including online schooling in your child’s routine may give them back the sense of control that being in quarantine may have taken away. 

Take note, though, that what is happening in the world is very anxiety-inducing, especially for your child with autism. So, be ready to assist them with their education and take on the role of teachers in guiding them with their tasks.

Christopher Lynch Ph.D. shares, “Provide accommodations to address areas of struggle, modify tasks to suit each child’s unique learning style, alternate frustrating tasks that play to strengths, and provide with breaks as necessary.”

At the start, you may need your child to talk with their homeroom teacher to help them get used to the new setup. Remember that patience is the key to an excellent home-learning experience with your child.

Science Experiments

Another engaging learning activity that you can with your child is science experiments. Your child learns visually, and what better way to teach them scientific principles than by trying them at home!

The internet has a lot of fun and safe ideas for what you can do with your child. And for a more visual resource, you can look up experiments on YouTube. Some science activities will also be engaging sensory experiences for your kid.

Playing With Playdough

One of the best aspects of play dough is its flexibility. It can be anything that your child wants it to be. Another excellent use of playing with playdough is that you can use it to practice your kid’s communication skills. You can ask to talk about what they are making and tell stories about it.

You can also make this task a fine motor practice for your child by letting them squeeze it, roll it, pound it, and maybe make it into a clay model of your family. However, you may need to test what play dough will be more suitable for your kid.

Dancing And Workout

Another stress-relieving activity that you can with your child and other members of your family is exercising. YouTube has lots of videos to guide you and your kids in making your routine. You may also incorporate dancing in your workout and have fun while sweating out. 

Another fun way to engage them in these activities is to let them have a choice. You may make a choice board filled with these enjoyable tasks and have them pick the one that they like to do for the day.

This pandemic and our new normal may be challenging to adapt to, but that does not mean that you cannot have fun with your child while in quarantine.

 

 

Source: afcent.af.mil

“Dreaming of a Bigger Tomorrow was the theme at the 2019 Special Needs Conference attended by children with autism and other disabilities, parents, policymakers, sponsors, and other participants that had the same goal. They all were interested to improve the lives of children with special needs and their families. Among those who attended were teachers from different states, who listened to discussions about teaching children with special needs. It was a transformative event that communities from different states truly recognized and appreciated.

Teaching Children With Special Needs

As a teacher, disabled children and teens may present with several distinctive challenges. They will require more patience and time from you, so you also need to have special instructional techniques in an organized environment that improves their learning capacity. It is vital to keep in mind that students with special needs are not incapacitated. They are capable of learning – only that they require a more custom-tailored type of guidelines that are suitable to meet their corresponding learning disabilities. Here are some common strategies that you can use or be guided with.

• Give verbal instructions to children with reading disabilities. Reading materials and examinations should also be in an oral format so that the student’s evaluation will not be influenced by his reading disability.
• Provide quick feedback to the disabled students as they need to immediately see the connection between what you taught them as a teacher and what they have learned as a student.
• Progress checks should be made available to them regularly. Provide them with a simple checklist of how they are doing so far in individual and class environments.

 

Source: army. mil

 

• Structure your activities in a way that they are understandable – short and to the point. Long projects will most probably frustrate these students and might decrease their motivation.
• Children with learning disabilities have trouble comprehending abstract concepts and words. As much as possible, provide these students with tangible objects, things that they can smell, touch, hear, etc.
• If necessary, repeat your instructions or provide both written and oral formats. It is important that children with disabilities benefit from sensory modalities.

 

 

 

Source: medicalxpress.com

A mother and advocate of autism was the special speaker at the 2017 Autism Conference. Monica Meyer inspired and motivated. Most participants – which consist of autism specialists, medical professionals, researchers, and moms of children with autism – agree that it was one of the best and the biggest conferences so far. Aside from the moving speech that Meyer delivered, there was also a question and answer portion of the program where the audience was allowed to ask anything and everything autism. Plus, workshops that involved tools that parents can use to cope with their children, dealing with autistic behavior, and even employment opportunities for those with autism.

For parents with teens or adolescents diagnosed with autism, there are jobs that they can do and that they can excel in, depending on their unique talents and skills!

Technology

Worldwide, some of the most successful tech specialists and computer programmers are diagnosed with autism. These people have a passion for looking into computers and anything tech-related. This is probably one of the best careers for them because the job doesn’t need much social interaction. They also have their own space to work in, which is conducive to their personalities.

Pet Sitter Or Groomer

A lot of teens and adolescents with autism are fond of having pets for companions. Most often, a dog or cat provides them with something to focus on. And since at times pets are a source of comfort to them than other humans, autistic people who have a flair for pets can make great pet sitters or groomers. This career also doesn’t require a lot of talking with other people. They would spend more time with pets than with humans, which makes it convenient for them. Other animal-related jobs include dog trainers and livestock caretakers.

Writing And Research

Source: autism.org.uk

Most writers can be described as ‘aloof’ simply because they love to be alone with only their pen and paper with them. A writer can be a suitable job for a person with autism. Through writing, he can express fully what he finds difficult to express verbally. It sharpens his mind and enhances his creativity. As a researcher, on the other hand, he can utilize his keen attention to detail and his tendency to over-focus on the things that he is most interested in.

 

 

 

Often, we leave the children to form their friendships with their playmates. However, for children with ADHD, that task can be quite tricky. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our children make new friends and maintain those bonds. Here are some tips and tricks to teach our children about friendship building.  

 

  Continue reading “Friendship Building For Kids With Autism “