So, in conjunction to the last post, we will discuss a few more issues that are common with children on autism spectrum.
Teachers at special education schools warn that meltdowns are inevitable and a part of your child’s personality. Take them as a vent-out of the quietude they have displayed ever since. However, how you handle them and diminish their occurrence is something worth learning over the time. The best way through it is by avoiding a situation where you think your child will pick up a meltdown. A tantrum is still okay and manageable but a meltdown can get a bit overboard. It is usually when they have upset or overwhelmed themselves so much that they are no longer in control of the situation. A tantrum can be controlled by giving in to their fancy but in a meltdown it will seldom have an effect. Plus it is not advisable to always give in to your child’s whims because you are afraid of a meltdown. The best you can do is hold them and try to calm them in whatever way possible. If it happens in a public situation and a lot of prying eyes are disturbing your child further, you can keep some flash cards handy which carry the message ‘My child has Autism’, with relevant websites where they can find info, advices a school for deaf and autistic children.
Aggressiveness
Most children can get aggressive or self-injurious and it’s normal for the disorder. However, if you can pinpoint the cause and support accordingly the situation can improve dramatically. Keep a track of everything he does in a notebook. What he eats, what he plays with, his activities, when either of the parents are not around. Basically anything and everything should be noted for first few months or a year, until you begin to understand him. Once you have data you can actually find patterns that are visible.