How do you care for a person with autism?

Answer 1

If your spouse is Autistic you should learn what you can about the condition and help to provide an environment that does not cause them distress. (Usually sensory-related, such as noise or bright/flickering lights) Above all, when your Autistic spouse gets upset, back off and let them "recharge" for a while. Listen and observe. Other than that, the same things apply to Autistic people as anyone else: food, clothing, shelter, love (or at least companionship) and enough sunlight to synthesize their vitamin D. There is no reason why people on the Spectrum can not have successful marriages and careers if they have people who love them and believe in their abilities and talents... but it takes two to make a relationship work and Autism does not excuse anyone from being an equal participant, it just may change the nature of that participation.

Answer 2

Autistic people need support just like anybody else. Unfortunately, autistic adults are often overlooked, as it is autistic children who tend to receive most government, or state-run, assistance and services. All autistic people, regardless of age, should have access to meaningful support and services.

Here are a few websites to check out (the links are provided in the Related Links section):

1. Autistic Self Advocacy Network, ASAN

2. Change.org

3. The Autism Hub

4. Autism Street

5. Neurodiversity Blog

Diagnosis:

If you feel that you are, or may be, on the autistic spectrum and you wish to receive a diagnosis, please be careful who you select to do your evaluation. There are a lot of medical professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists who are clueless--and sometimes even rigid and archaic in diagnostic procedures--regarding autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder. It's very unfortunate and hopefully things will change for the better with both more time and autism advocacy.

A good place to find a reputable therapist or clinician who can perform a valid diagnosis is to go by word of mouth. Get involved with an online group in your state and ASK who your group members recommend in your area.

Take the online test for your "autistic quotient" in the links below. (It is not, in any way, meant to replace a valid medical diagnosis.)

Search your state for an online support group. Check out ASAN's website below and see if there is a chapter in your state.

For example, in Portland, Oregon, here are two popular online groups:

# Portland Asperger's Network # PDX ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) If you live in Portland, Oregon and you are looking to see a therapist for a possible diagnosis, Dr. Leslie Carter is a valid experienced neuropsychologist. (Her web page in the links below has information on Asperger's Syndrome.)

Book recommendations:

There's plenty of literature about autism circulating throughout many sources. Why not pick something written by an autistic? Especially if you desire to capture a feel for the essence and reality of autism verses assumptions pertaining to biased clinical studies. Need a place to start? Here's a few suggestions:

# Autism and the Myth of the Person Alone by Douglas Biklen, et al. # Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism by Dawn Prince-Hughes # Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison # Nobody Nowhere: the Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic by Donna Williams # How Can I Talk If My Lips Don't Move: Inside My Autistic Mind by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay Visit your local library, bookseller, or online source to obtain a copy of the above mentioned titles. Then give yourself a pat on the back!

Extra Info:

Autistics and Uneven Skills

Autistics may have an I.Q. that falls on both sides of the bell curve. In other words, it's not uncommon for an autistic person to have a significant range in I.Q. testing scores. It's important to take into account verbal and social issues, as well as individual learning styles.

Here are some examples of uneven skills:

1. Having extreme intelligence with computers and written communication and then not being able to make a sandwich or prepare food.

2. Sophisticated writing abilities, yet trouble with spoken communication.

3. Possessing an amazing savant skill and then not being able to take care of basic survival needs.

4. Excelling at calculus, yet being incapable of doing simple arithmetic (this example comes from Dora Raymaker--thank you).

Okay, I'll expose a major personal problem of mine. I am fine with caring for my basic survival needs and that of my family, but I am terrible with time management. For instance, my older son's school requires the children to be picked up at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays--during the winter only--rather than the usual 3:30 p.m. Since winter began, I've forgotten to pick my son up a total of five times despite having large visual reminders and phone alarms set.

Awareness and understanding are greatly needed in this area of autism advocacy. The attainment of valuable meaningful services for the whole of the autistic population highly depends on widespread comprehension of this aspect of autism. Autism-First Language

Perhaps you have heard of person-first language? After all, it's common talk in the disability community. Maybe you have even heard someone refer to an autistic person by saying he or she hasautism. But not all autistics agree with person-first language.

Though it is common for both the medical and cure-focused communities to refer to an autistic person as a person withautism, such references are not the lingo of the greater whole of the autistic community.

In a nutshell, saying a person has autism may imply that the person is defective or that there is an inherent problem or sickness within the person. It also implies that autism can somehow be separated from the person.

Here's a quote from Jim Sinclair (link to website below): I am not a "person with autism." I am an autistic person.

If you find yourself in a sticky situation then it is quite neutral to simply say, "person on the autistic spectrum."

Thanks for brushing up on your autistic community lingo!

***Best of luck! Please use your judgment if the world of autism is new to you. There is a lot to learn. Take what you need and leave the rest. Although some people with autism could refer to themselves as autistic people, there are also many people with autism who want to be thought of as people first, because they view "autistic person" as implying there is nothing more to them than having autism. They view autistic as one trait they have, such as eye and hair color or a skill, but not the entirety of their being. They are offended when they are called "autistics" or "autistic people". So, it might be best to ask the person which they prefer.

Answer 3

After your child is diagnosed as Autistic you learn more about Autism.

It is good to talk to other Autism parents and specialists, but remember that the real experts are Autistic people themselves as they experience Autism and Autistic adults have been through childhood so know what is needed to support your child growing up. Always learn about Autism from Autistic people via forums, Facebook groups, and Blogs - I recommend Karla's ASD Page on Facebook as she's Autistic and works with Autistic children so posts a lot of explanations of Autism and she supports neurodiversity.

There will be support available to you, but there are also lots of people who will scare you about autism and try to use emotional blackmail to get you to think you need to spend a lot of money on treatments to help your child. The fact is many treatments harm Autistic children by forcing them to try to be something they're not, and even abusing Autistic children, so tread carefully. Your child is Autistic, don't try to force them to be something that they're not and support without pushing.

Learn about Autism, accept Autism, and be your childs ally.

Answer 4

Your ability to care for a child would depend on your severity of your condition. In any case, it is just necessary to remember that a neurotypical child might require certain attentions that you would not automatically give. Raising children is also extremely stressful which is an important fact to consider if you are easily overstimulated and unable to self-soothe. So do your research just like any good parent!

There also seems to be a genetic component to autism so there is a greater likelihood that your child would have autism too.

Answer 5

The best thing that you can do is simply be a friend -- a real friend.

Someone with autism will require from you a genuine understanding and acceptance of the fact that his world looks different from his eyes than your world looks to you.

Educate yourself about the type of autism your friend has. This will help you to understand him better.

Patience is an absolute necessity, especially if your friend has Asperger's or PDD.

If your friend yells at you or says things that are hurtful, then later apologizes, realize that his outbursts should not be taken personally. Try to not hear the ugly words but rather see it as a difficult moment that your friend goes through and that he can't help it.

People with autistic spectrum disorders have a lot to offer. They can be the most loyal, dedicated friend you will ever have a chance to know, and you're lucky to have a friend who will be that loyal. So long as you practice understanding, patience and acceptance, your friendship can grow strong and be invaluable to you both.

Answer 6

• The most successful methods appear to be to establish a routine, use positive reinforcement and remove certain food from their diets such as wheat