Helping Someone With Autism

People with autism are special and different. It usually takes a group of health professionals working together to discover if someone has autism. A pediatrician, health pathologist, psychologist and psychiatrist are specialists helping autistic people work out their difficulties in relating to others and the world around them.

Someone whose friend or family member afflicted with autism can be helped by having a caring attitude when the person is having difficulty in understanding. It would always be better if the other children around and autistic child are aware of their peer’s problem so that they do not get upset by the autistic child’s behavior. Explaining the problem to others who are interacting with the autistic person always helps in developing a healthy friendship. Trying to be helpful and a good friend work wonders on an autistic child.

If one can accept the fact that the person is special and different, it goes a long way in clearing the atmosphere. An autistic child is usually withdrawn and does not mix or interact much; so a friend can help him out of his/her solitary state by accepting him / her as they are and by not getting upset if the autistic person is not interested in mixing. As the autistic child is vulnerable to mood swings, the normal children should be prevented from teasing an autistic child. Being always encouraging and showering praises on the autistic person keeps them happy.    

Living with an autistic person can be very challenging. But a caring and loving attitude goes a long way in keeping the autistic person calm and quiet. Since there is no cure or any universal treatment program that works consistently with people with such disabilities, however they can be controlled by:

1. Establishing a routine and sticking to it. A person who is autistic feels secure in an environment, which is bound by regular activities. This prevents the person from becoming agitated or disturbed by a change in the normal pattern. But at the same time, the structured environment needs to be complemented by continuous introduction of new methods within a familiar framework. This helps the autistic person to move forward in their overall development.
2. At the time of applying behavior modification techniques so as to reduce aggression or undesirable traits in an autistic person, The good behavioral trends should always be encouraged by rewarding the person. This tends to increase the positive behavioral trends in such persons.
3. The dietary control, if imposed on the autistic person, also helps. Wheat, gluten and dairy protein are some of the products that can’t be easily broken down in an autistic person. They inhibit brain functioning and should be eliminated from an autistic child’s diet. Adding vitamin supplements prevent side effects from this dietary restriction.
4. The autistic person responds more easily to visual pictures and graphics. They enjoy playing with water, sand and clay. This also makes them creative. It is always better if learning aids involving tactile stimulation are used as it helps to develop such persons’ creativity. The verbal and written exercises should be avoided.  
5. To reduce undesirable aggressive behavior using prescribed medicines and anti-psychotic drugs eliminates some of the unhealthy behavioral traits.