by Dawn Marcotte

Created on: September 06, 2010

High functioning autistic children benefit from therapy, particularly when this therapy is reinforced at home. Each Autistic child is unique and will require a treatment plan tailored to their needs. Some of the aspects of autism that respond well to therapy are social skills, non-verbal learning disabilities and organizational skills. Parents can help reinforce these new skills at home. Work with the childs therapist to learn what they are currently working on. The therapist may have some specific activites to use at home. The following are some general ideas.

1. Meals

There are many studies available that tell parents that all children are helped when they eat regular meals as a family. An autistic child can benefit even more as a meal can provide a regular time when they can practice conversational skills. The back and forth that most people take for granted must often be taught to an autistic child. They are not going to learn by observing others, but by practicing themselves. This is also an excellent time to practice proper voice inflection and eye contact. 

2. Chores

Every family has things that must  be done to keep the family running. Laundry, grocery shopping, dusting, vacuming, pet care and lawn care are a few of the opportunities to help autistic children practice what they are working on with their therapist. Autistic children often do not generalize new skills well. They may be able to hold a conversation at the dinner table because they have practiced this, but not be able to have a conversation outside in the garden.  Different locations allow autistic children to learn more about appropriate voice volume, how to interact with others and conversational skills. Parents can use teaching moments such as going to the grocery store to explain to their child why it is important to not speak loudly or why they shouldn't stand so close to the person in front of them in the checkout line. Often a clear verbal explanation of why a behavior is appropriate will help and older child.

3. Picture Books

Some autistic children have a non verbal learning disability and must be taught the meaning of facial expresions and body language. Picture books can help these children practice thier skills. When reading a picture book ask questions about what the characters in the pictures are feeling. Magazines and childrens television progaming can also help these students practice these skills.

4. Games

Play games with the child. Board games, card games, outdoor games or even just rolling a ball back and forth will help them learn appropriate behaviors when they win and when they lose. They will practice taking turns and talking about the game with another person. Autistic children often have a specific topic they are interested in to the exclusion of all other topics. Learning how NOT to talk about that subject can be a difficult skill to learn. 

The more opportunitites for success they have, they more they will learn.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Marcotte.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.