How Do You Help Parents Of A Child With Autism?
Children with autism often seem to live in their own world, with limited ability to interact with others. A diagnosis of autism, primarily found in boys and usually discovered by ages 3 to 4, can be devastating. Parents may seem trapped on an emotional roller coaster where what would be small events in other families are considered major breakthroughs and triumphs. Having friends they can count on for assistance when needed can give the family more enjoyable time together. Offer an alternative source for practicing skills. Early speech therapy is highly effective with some children, but practice can take hours each day. Older children with autism need help learning how to interpret the world around them and come up with proper responses. Ask the parents what learning process they are using and volunteer to work with the child yourself. Cook an occasional meal for the family. Often special diets are needed for an autistic child, and the caregiver is often too exhausted to provide separa
