The first thing to know about autism is not a disability. Children immediately notice an autistic child in their environment, they have questions with which they turn to adults. Explaining to a child what autism is is necessary in order not to stigmatize a child with ASD and to help children communicate and interact without traumatizing each other.
Autism is not uncommon today. This is primarily due to the fact that diagnostic methods are improving, and society is learning more and more about people with autism. However, people with ASD are often viewed in terms of stereotypes. For example, they are universally credited with inability to communicate, learning difficulties, Savant syndrome, and a love of mathematics and the exact sciences.
But people, adults and children, who are diagnosed with ASD are different. Among them there are geniuses and there are those who are incapable of learning. Most people with autism are somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, can communicate and learn, lead an active lifestyle, and at first glance, only an experienced healthcare professional will suspect autism in them.
However, people with autism are different from neurotypes. And you need to know this, especially if there are many children in the family or team, and some of them have a corresponding diagnosis. The first thing to learn when explaining to someone what autism is is that you need to be kind. When discussing ASD, you need to focus on the positive. It is much more important to explain to the child what is great in another child, what makes him unique, what he is good at, than to emphasize the negative points.
Things to Remember About Autism
Of course, many questions arise for neurotypical children who are confronted with those who are different from them and behave differently. They need help to build relationships with these "others" and they need to understand them. When answering questions, be sure to remember:
- Autism is not backwardness or disability.
- If a child with autism takes part in the conversation, do not ignore him and talk about him in the third person, as if he is not there. He must participate in the discussion, he must be addressed, even if he does not speak and does not answer.
- Children have the right to ask and do it directly. It's not rude. They just strive for clarity, in no way want to offend you or whoever they are interested in.
- Answer the questions honestly, but consider the age of the person who is interested.
The hardest part must be explaining to a young child what the breakdown that happens in children with ASD is. After all, this behavior is very frightening. A child with ASD may break loose over the slightest trifle, scream, cry, and even behave aggressively. Neurotypical children often seek to help the sufferer, but they meet with violent resistance, which plunges them into bewilderment and can turn against the child with autism.
How to explain to a child what a breakdown is in children with autism
Disruptions, which often happen in public places, frighten not only children, but also adults. How many parents of children with autism can share their experience, as during the next breakdown, they were waiting not for support, but for attacks from others who are not averse to making a remark to the mom or dad of the "ill-mannered and loose" child.
Explaining what a breakdown is and why it happens, you can use the analogy of different game consoles. Here is the Xbox, Wii and Play Station. But if you try to run an Xbox game on Wii, the system won't recognize it. This is how our brain is. It is different for everyone, and what is good for one may be bad for another. The brain may refuse to play by the rules that do not suit it, and if it is too stressed, it will freeze and need a reboot and rest. The same thing happens with the overloaded brain of a child with autism. Failure is such a reboot.
Books, films and games
A good solution is to resort to the help of books and films. For example, the books "Mary and Me" and "Living Among People" are suitable for children who are interested in what autism is. On the net you can find many films that can be watched together in family viewing. "Temple Grandin", "The Boy Who Could Fly", "Stars", "The Shape of the Voice", "Terribly loud and incredibly close."
Games help children to bond. The trouble is that children with autism prefer to play alone more often, with themselves, while neurotypical children prefer to play in a company, or at least do not oppose it. Therefore, in order to use the game and involve different children in it, we must try to make the pastime enjoyable for everyone.
For example, one child is active and loves to compete, the other prefers leisurely contemplative walks. Cycling, interspersed with short, fun competitions, is a suitable alternative.
But the most important thing that will help children understand and connect with a child with autism is their own example. Your behavior in this situation is a key factor in how close and trusting relationships develop between children, whether they are neurotypical or diagnosed with ASD. Kindness, a willingness to help and support, a willingness to listen and hear is what all children need.
