Thousands of parents in America struggle with the challenges faced by having an autistic child. Let’s not kid ourselves. Being a parent to any child is a struggle, particularly when it comes to trying to control or improve behavior. We all want to teach our kids good habits and see them experience success. With autism, however, things are often more complex because communication can be more difficult.
Finding ways to break through with an autistic child takes a lot of work and trying new things. The payoff, though, is worth it as you see your child start to get it and improve their quality of life. The unique parenting challenges presented by autism require unique and innovative methods when it comes to teaching. Here are some things you can do to improve an autistic child’s behavior.
Take Time to Explain Social Behaviors
For many autistic children, the natural adoption of social norms and cues simply doesn’t take hold. A lot of kids learn how to talk and play with people on the playground or in a hundred different small social interactions every day. That can be a challenge for kids with autism.
Instead, parents need to verbally spell out many of the lessons that most kids learn naturally. We’re all accustomed to having to tell our children when to say “please” or “thank you”. With an autistic child, though, you need to give more attention to this type of teaching. Doing things like teaching your child how to say hello or acknowledge or other children takes work. You can talk to them about things like personal space and how to respect unseen boundaries. Arm your child with the tools required to succeed in a lot of the social interactions that we take for granted.
Make Stretch Goals Incremental
Every parent deals with anxiety over the health and well-being of their children. We want to see our kids succeed, and are willing to do almost anything to make that happen. That sometimes means we go overboard schedule playdates or after-school activities that keep them busy all of the time. It can be overwhelming for children without autism, so it’s easy to understand why it can be stressful for autistic children.
At some point, your autistic child will likely start to express interest in meeting and playing with other kids. They will want to try out sports or an art class. They will understandably be nervous about going into new environments. One thing you can do to improve behavior during these activities is to limit the amount of time spent there and let your child know when you’ll be leaving.
Understand What Triggers a Breakdown
When autistic children are overwhelmed and feel like they can’t communicate what they are feeling with their guardian or parent, they can resort to tantrums and other disruptive behavior. This happens with every child, but many parents of autistic children are particularly sensitive to their child’s behavior in public.
Take note of conditions that trigger meltdowns. Usually, things like loud noises, too many people, hunger, and other things can trigger bad behavior. Keep track of where you are and how long you’ve been there to avoid any tantrums.
Find Out More About Research Peptides
Melanotan 2 usa made is a peptide that was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s. Clinical research points to positive effects tied to autism in mouse models. During trials, mice that were given Melanotan 2, or MT-2, were shown to decrease, and even reverse, many of the repetitive behaviors associated with autism. Mice showed declines in decreased communication, impaired social interaction, and other behaviors. MT-2 also resulted in increased expression of oxytocin receptors in the brain. This peptide is not yet FDA approved for human use. There is more research that needs to be done but has promising future medical possibilities.
Try These Different Diet Tips
Food that we eat affects everyone’s behavior, including the behavior of people on the spectrum. Many parents have had some level of success by adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. They also saw benefits by increasing Vitamin B6 intake. This can be done by eating more meats, avocados, spinach, seeds, and healthy nuts.
Of course, any time you’re thinking about making drastic changes to your child’s diet, it’s wise to talk to a doctor or nutritionist. Keep track of how different foods affect your kid’s behavior and whether anything is helping.
Establish Routines
Routines are every parent’s best friend. Children react well to boundaries, even though it may seem counterintuitive. A lot of kids act like they want to do whatever they want, but that’s simply not true. Autistic children thrive when there is routine and they know what to expect. That means they know what’s going to happen before they go into a situation and can adjust appropriately. Talk to your child about the routines and monitor how they behave under different conditions. You’ll be able to make a routine specific to them that will help them succeed.