| Current studies indicate that about one out of | | | | One of the ways to allow your autistic child to |
| about 160 children is affected with autism or | | | | learn how to act and behave in the general public |
| some type or level of autistic spectrum disorder. | | | | is via role playing at home. You can pretend to be |
| One of the biggest problems with having an | | | | at a social gathering such as a school picnic and do |
| autistic child is that they do not care to or cannot | | | | role-playing, which will allow your child to become |
| participate in social functions or social gatherings | | | | comfortable with this setting gradually over a |
| and they have trouble communicating verbally. | | | | period of time. Keep your role playing sessions |
| This clearly creates problems for the child as they | | | | short at home, since the attention span of an |
| develop and mature because they do not interact | | | | autistic child is limited, and forcing them to |
| with children of their own age group to learn how | | | | continue with it after their attention is exhausted |
| to act and behave in a social setting. | | | | will simply put a negative spin on being in such a |
| This aspect presents a very unique challenge to | | | | social situation, which is the opposite of what you |
| the parents of an autistic child. Needless to say, it | | | | are trying to achieve. |
| is difficult to accept the fact that your child is | | | | One of the traits of an autistic child is that they |
| afflicted with autism, but of course as parents, | | | | do not look people in the eye. It is unknown why |
| you want to do everything you can for your child | | | | this is the case but it is thought to perhaps be a |
| to allow them to lead as normal a life as possible. | | | | function of the child actually realizing that they are |
| Some parents are even in denial of the fact that | | | | not the same as their peers, and this aspect is a |
| their child has autism, but the quicker you as | | | | reflection of a sign of low self-esteem. While |
| parents can accept that fact, the sooner you can | | | | there is no way to prove that via scientific |
| deal with it and get the specialized help that your | | | | studies, that is a popular train of thought. |
| autistic child needs at this point in their | | | | Whatever the cause though, you may want to |
| development. | | | | work with your child at home, and perhaps even |
| As a parent, you may need to develop a thick | | | | with a reward system for when they are able to |
| skin. What this means is that some people in the | | | | look you in the eyes. The model of "proper |
| general public will make rude remarks or | | | | behavior warrants a reward" has been effective |
| comments about an autistic child. While most | | | | for many, but do not make the reward large, just |
| people will accept that fact and be helpful and | | | | something very small, like being allowed to play |
| sympathetic, you need to be emotionally prepared | | | | with their favorite toy. |
| for the occasional thoughtless jerk who makes a | | | | It will take work, but as parents, you have the |
| rude or crude comment about your autistic child. | | | | ability to help shape your child's future. Do not put |
| It does you no good to get angry or | | | | the entire task on the shoulders of the school, but |
| embarrassed or to cause a scene, and you need | | | | rather, work with your child at home to create a |
| to be pacified with the fact that the jerk who | | | | pleasant and loving atmosphere, and to work with |
| made the comment makes himself look incredibly | | | | your autistic child to help them function. |
| stupid to others via his remark. | | | | |