In Nigeria alone, there are more than a 100 cases of people with autism. The exact cause of Autism with the most current research demonstrates there’s no single cause for it but some factors could be having an immediate family member who’s autistic, genetic mutations, being born to older parents, low birth weight, exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins.
Now just to let you know, there are successful people who have autism, with the likes of Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Michelangelo, Isaac Newton, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi even amongst others. Now there are ways to manage autism and here are four ways to:
1. Learn about autism: This is basically the first step in knowing how to manage people with autism. The more you know about autism spectrum disorder, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions for your child. Educate yourself about the treatment options, ask questions, and participate in all treatment decisions.
2. Communication and Time Management: Create a communication environment that is “user friendly” for students and while doing that use many forms of communication, including speech, pointing and gestures, body language, pictures, objects, written language, and technology. According to an article Applied Behavior Analysis which was published in March,2021, Time management can help people with autism understand when to start and stop activities, when something will happen, how to follow a schedule, when to take a turn, and a whole lot more
3. Reward good behavior: Positive reinforcement can go a long way with children with ASD, so make an effort to “catch them doing something good.” Now when you see them doing something good, even if it is very little, praise them. Praise them when they act appropriately or learn a new skill, being very specific about what behavior they’re being praised for. Also look for other ways to reward them for good behavior, such as giving them a sticker or letting them play with a favorite toy.
4. Therapy and Support: Therapy programs focuses on reducing problem behaviors, teaching new skills and teaching children how to act in social situations or communicate better with others. Also when dealing with an autistic person, get support, whether online or face-to-face, support from other families, professionals, and friends can be a big help. Support groups can be a good way to share advice and information and to meet other parents dealing with similar challenges. Think about what might make your life a little easier, and ask for help.
