Science fiction and fantasy are often of great interest to autistic people. Depending on their interest levels and abilities, people on the spectrum may learn every detail of a particular "universe," write their own stories, watch and rewatch movies, read comics, attend conventions, or even make their own costumes.
Tips for Choosing Toys for a Child With Autism
Look for toys that are one big piece or made of a few big pieces instead of many little pieces. Some kids with autism engage in pica, or eating things that are not food, and are at higher risk for choking. Choose a toy that won't break if it's dropped.
Autistic children often enjoy sensory toys because they help them feel calm and engage their senses in a positive way. Sensory toys can include weighted stuffed animals, fidget toys, and putty. When looking for a toy for an autistic child, keep in mind their interests and their developmental stage.
Hobbies such as collecting stamps, playing cards or board games, drawing and photography can also provide opportunities for enjoyment, as well as increased self-confidence and motivation individuals on the spectrum.
Lego therapy is a social development program for autistic children and other children with social communication difficulties. It uses children's love of Lego play, as well as their strengths and interests, to develop communication and social skills.
Different sensory things will feel wonderful for some autistic's and painful for others. It may be that certain lights, sounds, textures, clothing, sights, smells etc brings a lot of comfort. Weighted blankets are also wonderful for helping to ground you and feel safe. Certain food can be really comforting.
A child with autism can learn to calm themselves by being taught what to do when anxiety strikes. Provide the child with tools to self-soothe, such as sensory toys, calming books or videos, weighted blankets, a swing set, or even a pet.
Reward good behavior.
Positive reinforcement can go a long way with children with ASD, so make an effort to “catch them doing something good.” Praise them when they act appropriately or learn a new skill, being very specific about what behavior they're being praised for.
they give considerable attention to detail. they have a distinct sense of humor. they have a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. they have a strong sense of social justice.
Your child might get upset if too much is happening around them, if they find a particular noise overwhelming, or if the light is too bright. Autistic children can get frustrated if they're expected to do something they don't have the skills for, like getting dressed independently.
Challenges for Families of Autistic People
A child with ASD can be challenging—they may be restless; have trouble sleeping, eating or speaking; experience seizures; or have meltdowns born of frustration or overstimulation. Expectations for a “normal” life may need to be adjusted.
Autistic people might also become attached to objects (or parts of objects), such as toys, figurines or model cars – or more unusual objects like milk bottle tops, stones or shoes. An interest in collecting is also quite common.
Sensory toys are toys that provide the particular sensory input that many children with autism crave. Whether it is visual or tactile, the toys have the power to capture our kids' attention, making the right sensory toy a powerful reinforcer (reward) in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) programs.
Giving them a hug
A tight hug provides deep pressure, which helps them feel calm and secure. A long bear hug may help them feel better. Do not force a hug on the child or hold them down. This is incredibly distressing, especially if the child is already feeling overwhelmed.
The short answer is that they all are. Disney does an excellent job of accommodating persons with disabilities, including children and adults with autism. With that said, when visiting Disney with autism considerations some parks may work better than others depending on each individual's sensory issues.
No cure exists for autism spectrum disorder, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. The goal of treatment is to maximize your child's ability to function by reducing autism spectrum disorder symptoms and supporting development and learning.
Incorporate learning tasks into preferred topics and activities. Plan tasks and activities that result in meaningful outcomes from the perspective of the learner. Vary tasks and activities frequently as opposed to requiring boring repetition. Conversely, capture opportunities to expand learning when interest is high.
This is why some children with autism simply do not like being touched in any manner. Many children with autism, even those with high-functioning autism, have difficulty learning to engage in everyday human interaction. They may avoid interactions or eye contact or even resist parental attention, hugs, or cuddling.
Rote memory skills and autism. Autistic children are often good at learning by heart (rote memory). Many autistic children can remember large chunks of information, like conversations from movies, words to a song, number plates and so on.