HELPING YO U R CHILD
WITH AUTISM
THRIVE Tips for helping your child overcome their challenges and lead a successful life. WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSPON
When a child is placed in the arms of their parents, hopes and dreams for the child’s future begin to form. We want what is best for our children in all areas of life. As parents, we want to teach our children the skills they need in a supportive and nurturing environment with the hopes that they will not only learn and grow, but also thrive. When a child is diagnosed with autism, a parent may wonder: What’s next? What does this mean for my child? They may begin to question what they can incorporate into their child’s daily routine that will provide safety, structure and guidance, so that they can live their best life.
Reevaluate your child’s educational needs yearly. “All children, typical or not, need different things to thrive,” says Kristin Tennyson, head of school at Linden Grove School in Cincinnati. “Each year, as parents, we should reevaluate what our child’s current needs are and what they will need to be successful for the upcoming school year. This might mean extra or less support, a change in program, additional
tutoring, helping to facilitate playdates and more. No matter where your child attends school, they should always be challenged and they should always be thriving academically, socially and therapeutically.”
Take your child on errands with you. For some parents, the idea of running errands with their children can seem less than appealing, and this can be especially true if your child has unpredictable behaviors. Don’t let this stop you from taking them along. Consider putting one or two outings a month on the calendar. You don’t have to do every grocery trip together, but allowing your child to periodically join you will help them have a better understanding of what goes on in the world.
Strive for independence. Anyone who has gone through teaching their child to tie a shoe knows it is much quicker, and less painful, to just do it for them. As parents, when we are constantly doing things for our children, we are not allowing them the privilege of learning how to do things for themselves. It may take a while to get there, but when your child accomplishes tasks on their own, they will feel empowered and ready to face future obstacles.
April 2020 I CINCINNATIPARENT.COM
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