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Accepting our child with autism
By Teresina Seunarine
Autism is still a puzzling, heartbreaking and challenging brain
disorder. These words were used to introduce the topic in Autistic
Society of T&T’s first brochure in 1990. They are also on our new
brochure.
However, much research is going into autism in the developed
countries and the ASTT has been regularly updating our members,
organizing training programmes and generally trying to ease the
heartbreak of our parents/caregivers.
We know that our child with autism has problems with his sensory
system, communication, and socializing skills.
One of the first things caregivers and parents must be able to do
is to accept their child and love him ( there is a 4:1 ratio of boys
to girls with autism). When we are interacting with others we try to
get the other person to conform to our way of thinking and way of
life. We strive towards “normal” behaviour. If we adopt this
attitude towards our child with autism we will always be involved in
a losing battle. We may even subject the child to abuse or want to
lock him away.
As parents/caregivers of a child with autism we must also
understand the condition.
The unusual behaviours exhibited by our child are extremely
difficult to live with, especially when they are socially
unacceptable. We are subject to constant embarrassment and ridicule
by members of the public and even our own family members and
friends. It is not easy to get someone to stay with our child while
we go out to a cinema show or shopping. So, as early as possible, it
is important for families to take their child out with them. This is
difficult, but necessary, since the older the child becomes the more
difficult it will be to take him out socially.
As you educate yourself in the different methods used to help
your child learn, you will notice the improvement in his behaviour.
A combination of structure within the learning environment, together
with labelled pictures, can help organize the mind of the autistic
child.
It is going to be a life-long learning exercise because you have
to constantly change your methods to suit your child’s special
needs.
You must understand that your child will respond to genuine love,
concern and gentleness. Autism is a brain disorder and the child
will need much direct and consistent help from you.
Research points to differences in the brain’s wiring system,
which is one of the main reasons for the problems being experienced
by autistic children. Some theories about brain functioning have
also given us more clues about autistic behaviour. For example, a
child with autism has difficulty predicting the behaviour of the
children and adults around them. They need help in learning how to
“read” gestures and other non-verbal cues. It is known that normal
communication between persons involves almost 97% of non-verbal
information e.g. gestures, body language, tone of voice, etc. A
child with autism must therefore be taught HOW to communicate,
otherwise he gets quite anxious, frustrated and even violent. One
method that has been used successfully is the Picture Exchange
Communication System, or PECS. This involves close interaction
between the adults and the child. It helps the child to initiate
communication by giving the adult a picture so that he can obtain an
object, e.g. a favourite toy or food item. Later on this is extended
to the use of many pictures to form sentences. A three ring
binder/communication book can be provided with the necessary
pictures.
Social interactions are difficult because the child has to make a
conscious effort to remember all the social rules and about subtle
emotions like looks of embarrassment or boredom. He must also know
when to join the conversation and when to stop and listen.
Normally by 4 years of age a child has learned a great deal about
the adults around him. He knows that mummy frowns or stares at you
when she is not pleased with your actions. The normally developing
child will stop that activity and start doing something that would
be more pleasing to mummy. However, the autistic child must be
taught directly and consistently about acceptable behaviour. Picture
stories or word stories can be made up to teach the child social
skills.
As a parent/caregiver it is one of our responsibilities to enter
our child’s world and gently lead him to understanding our world. We
must be like the tourist guide helping the visitor understand our
unique language and culture.
Autistic Society of T&T
Office: Room 119, Building 7
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope
Tel/voice mail 663-8397 a
utismtt@excite.com
Mailing Address:
St. Helena Village Junction
Via Caroni Post Office
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel:868-669-0462
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