In acknowledgement of April as World Autism Acceptance Month, today’s installment of Tiny Topics focuses on what it means to “accept” individuals with autism.
Our community becomes one of acceptance when there is understanding, perspective and curiosity about how others experience our world. Acceptance involves engagement, accommodation and compromise.
Social worker Lisa Donze Jacob, LCSW, explains that it is important to understand that interactions with those who have autism can involve a “glitch” in communication. In other words, individuals with autism may struggle with communicating their thoughts to others and with adults speaking in generalizations or implications.
To mitigate this disconnect, adults can use very literal language and provide information in “bite-size pieces.” Instead of telling a child with autism that “chairs are for sitting in,” an adult might say, “Please sit your bottom in that chair.”
Providing step-by-step instructions may also reduce frustration in communication. An adult teaching a child with autism how to clean up toys might start by showing them how to pick up the toys and where to put them. This could then be followed by an offer of support and perhaps even use of visual aids or prompts to help with cognitive functions such as memory and planning.
Visual supports may be photos, videos or open shelving. (Open shelves can sometimes be preferred over drawers and other enclosed storage spaces because all contents are clearly visible, making these items more concrete to individuals with autism.)
It is possible that individuals with autism may be sensitive to external stimuli and become overstimulated in loud, bright or lively environments. Effective calming methods can be different across those with differing diagnoses, though for individuals with autism, one technique to help with regulation when they are escalated or in a panic could be talking about one of their special interests.
For example, a great way to help calm a young boy with autism who is feeling dysregulated would be to mention the race car on his shirt or one he is holding. Drawing his attention to his special interest can be soothing during distress.
The STHS Parenting Center serves as a Certified Autism Center where accommodations and support are offered by credentialed staff. While clinical services are not provided in the Parenting Center, families with children who have autism may be accommodated with reduced-stimulation spaces and sensory tools.
These tools include Sensory Bags readily available and packed with sunglasses, headphones, a chew sensory toy, fidget toys, visual guides and more. Additionally, STHS colleagues and community members are invited to join social worker Jacob as she provides information and support to those interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorder on July 29 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.
Further details regarding times and registration will be released at a later date.