For this purpose, we got in touch with Dr Rajat Grover, Senior Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, East Delhi, Patparganj.
Establishing Consistent Daily Schedules
Dr Grover suggests establishing consistent routines when possible. Visual schedules, explicit directions, and warning of upcoming changes may help some children adjust throughout their day.This could involve:
- Putting up a visual schedule that shows the order of your child's day, whether it be written on a board or the fridge
- Giving a verbal warning of the change coming up, like five minutes left
- Maintaining consistent times for meals, bedtime, and other daily activities
- Preparing your child for any changes in routine by making them aware ahead of time through concrete directions
- Using an object, such as a timer, to count down rather than a verbal warning
Helping with Communication in Everyday Life
How to help with communication differs from child to child, depending on whether the child is a verbal communicator, partial verbal communicator, or an alternative communicator. Here are a few tips to try that might work:- Use simple sentences, not long and abstract ones
- Say words along with gestures, symbols, or objects
- Give your child enough time to answer before you repeat your question
- Listen to what your child says and follow the child's leads in the conversation
- Use visual supports, such as picture cards or a communication app, if it helps your child communicate
Meeting Sensory Requirements at Home
Be conscious of sensory requirements. Certain sounds, textures, lights, or settings might be too much for your child. Some small changes can help make daily activities more accessible to your child.Some changes to consider are:
- Creating a quiet, less stimulating environment for your child
- Using noise-cancelling headphones in situations that get too loud or chaotic
- Picking clothing that doesn't irritate your child with tags or seams, and involving them in decision-making regarding clothes where appropriate
- Making some changes to lighting to accommodate your child's preferences if bright lights seem to overwhelm them
- Exposing your child to novel textures, foods, or settings gradually, not all at once
Dealing With Tough Times
"It is important that you focus on appreciating your child’s strengths, their interests and successes, and not define him through the lens of the diagnosis alone."Dr Rajat Grover, Senior Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, East Delhi, Patparganj
This approach is as essential in times of difficulty as it is in more positive times. If your child feels overloaded and stressed, then it is likely beneficial to remain calm, limit stimuli as much as possible, and give your child some space instead of insisting on getting a verbal explanation. Later, when they calm down, discussing what happened using age-appropriate language is likely to help them become aware of the situation.
Working With the School and Other Caregivers
For some autistic children, consistency between different environments is really important. Providing the school and other caregivers with information about your child's routine, communication approach, and sensory challenges will contribute to making your child's life easier outside the family environment.It might be a good idea to prepare a brief and shareable guide with the details of how your child communicates, what objects make them feel comfortable, and the particular triggers of your child's behaviour problems.
When Should You Speak With Your Doctor?
Speak with your child’s doctor or care team if you experience any of the following:- The approach you have been taking with your child stops working all of a sudden.
- You wish to discuss a rise in anxiety regarding transitions or sensory triggers.
- You wish to discuss the implementation of a new communication or therapy approach.
- You are feeling very overwhelmed in your current routine and are not sure what to do differently.
- You wish to see if the current treatment plan for your child still suits them.
Caring for an autistic child daily isn’t about discovering one solution; rather, it is about making a toolkit of small strategies that suit your child. It is important to pay attention to the strategies that work and be flexible with the changes in the needs of your child.
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FAQs on Caring for an Autistic Toddler: Everyday Tips for Parents
- What are the sensory adjustments that will really benefit my child?
Usually, this can be determined through observation and trial and error. Notice what overwhelms or calms your child in various circumstances and adjust accordingly. - Is it advisable to use the same visual schedule both at home and at school?
Consistency across settings can be comforting for your child; therefore, it could make sense to share your visual schedule style with your child's school or care providers. - What should I do if a strategy that worked before does not work anymore?
It is common that strategies may stop being helpful as the child grows and evolves. However, it is important to revisit the strategy and discuss changes in case they occur.