If you have a relative with High Functioning Autism (HFA), you may have difficulty understanding how to help them. There are multiple ways to support an autistic person, including ways to help them manage their behavior and communicate with ease. If your child has HFA, you should also provide for a supportive family environment.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Overcoming Behavioral Problems
Step 1. Make a plan
High-functioning individuals with autism may react negatively to sudden changes in daily life. For this reason, they often stick to certain habits that can give a sense of stability to their days. When changes are made, the whole day could be turned upside down, making people irritable, confused and capricious. To avoid upsetting your child's routine you can:
- Help him to create a program in which the activities to be carried out are specified for each time slot of the day.
- Clearly display a calendar (written or illustrated) to which the subject can refer during the day.
Step 2. Warn your child if their schedule will change slightly
Notifying him if you intend to change his habits is essential. Things like dating can turn him upside down. To prepare him, you should try to plan everything together with him, so that he knows what is going to happen.
For example, you could make a dentist appointment. It is scheduled for the following Tuesday, interfering with his usual schedule. Mark the appointment on the calendar and tell him in advance. He may not like his schedule changed, but at least he will be prepared
Step 3. Identify the stimuli that are causing him discomfort
Many individuals with HFA have heightened sensory perception that could interfere with their personal care. For example, the consistency or smell of toothpaste can annoy them. Some people don't like having their hair cut. This could all be due to a sensory approach or simply not accepting change.
- If your child has any of these problems, talk to them about it. Try to understand what is bothering him or ask him directly. He may be able to explain the source of his discomfort or give you clues. Identify exactly what the problems are and try to find suitable solutions.
- For example, if he refuses to brush his teeth because he doesn't like toothpaste, try taking him to the store with you to choose a different one.
Step 4. Learn to manage anger attacks
Individuals with HFA have a tendency to throw tantrums. During these moments it may appear that the subject is having a complete breakdown. Your child may kick, scream, throw himself on the floor, or hit his head. To manage these crises, you need to understand why they are unleashed. Each subject is different, but some common causes that lead to tantrums are:
- Being too frustrated.
- Receiving too many verbal commands at the same time.
- Being overwhelmed by too many stimuli.
- Undergoing routine changes.
- Failing to understand or communicate effectively.
Step 5. Protect your child during anger attacks
If the child is having a tantrum, try to understand that he cannot control himself. Many times you will just have to let it let out. However, if there is a risk of injury, you need to intervene. Try to keep it away from any object that could cause material damage.
Do not leave any items lying around to prevent them from trying to injure themselves
Step 6. Do not scream or scold the child during anger attacks
Don't yell at him or criticize his behavior. It won't help, and it may even make the situation worse. Even staring at him could make him feel worse. He would feel judged and the voices can cause additional stress.
If you are in a public place and there are people watching it, kindly ask them not to stare
Part 2 of 4: Communicate Effectively
Step 1. Try to understand that high functioning autism involves some communication problems
A common problem is the limited ability to use and understand non-verbal forms of communication. Your child may have difficulty understanding what people are saying about him, and it may be difficult for him to use body language.
Step 2. Try not to be offended by a brusque tone of voice or a rude attitude
Due to this confusion about body language, an individual with HFA is less inclined to use body language that matches his mood. This also happens with the tone of voice. Therefore, it is important to remember not to be offended by a rude tone or attitude towards you.
For example, his tone may be arrogant, even though he is in a good mood
Step 3. Understand that the child may not understand some verbal instructions
If he is autistic, remember that he cannot interpret information like able-bodied individuals. He may not grasp the ironic phrases, idioms, metaphors, etc. Also, if you give him verbal orders, evaluate his reaction. He may respond better to written instructions, perhaps represented by images, or he may need more time to process before responding.
For example, it is likely that he pays attention and listens to you, but that it takes some time to understand what you are saying
Step 4. Try to create a peaceful environment for communicating
He may have difficulty communicating in crowded places where there is a lot of noise. In places where there are a lot of people talking, he may get stressed if you try to talk to him, so opt for quieter, more peaceful places.
For example, if you try to talk to him in a shop full of people, he will almost certainly not be able to understand you, although he can hear you clearly
Step 5. Consider a training action to improve his ability to socialize
This kind of intervention could help the subject develop strategies for interacting with others, to understand the thoughts and emotions of others. It is usually done in groups but can also be undertaken on an individual level. During therapy, the child will develop the proper methods for conversing, solving problems and building new friends.
Part 3 of 4: Creating a Safe Family Environment for a Child with HFA
Step 1. Teach your child some relaxation techniques
Your baby could become short-tempered at any moment and have a nervous breakdown. It is important to teach him techniques so that he can try to control his emotions. When she gets irritated, she might do exercises like:
- To breath deeply.
- To count.
- Keep your favorite toy or object with you until you feel better.
- Practicing yoga, meditation, or stretching.
- Take a break from listening to music or singing.
Step 2. Use flashcards to educate your child
Flashcards - also known as educational cards - seem to work when it comes to teaching how to interpret emotions. You can purchase or make cards that represent the most common facial expressions. By showing your child these cards and explaining the emotions, or by connecting them to you and your child, the latter will probably begin to understand the facial expressions of other people.
Once the child understands which figures / faces / expressions correspond to certain emotions, he works to increase his emotional abilities and relate these emotions to real life situations. Understanding the representation of emotion is only the first step; true emotional understanding also involves guessing which situations cause people to have certain feelings
Step 3. Teach the child to change the topic of the conversation
It is not unusual for children with HFA to become fixated on a certain topic. They would talk about their favorite interest for hours on end. It is important to try to teach the child how to change the topic of discussion. To do it:
- Try common conversations he might have.
- Simulate conversations with different topics.
- Praise him when he starts talking about topics that interest others.
Step 4. Learn to calibrate the situation
If you notice that the baby seems upset, try to remedy it to prevent him from feeling uncomfortable. Get to know your child and understand the cause of their embarrassment.
For example, going to a restaurant might annoy him. Sometimes, taking him away for a few minutes from the environment in which the discomfort began is enough to regain control of the situation
Step 5. Praise him often
Try to always maintain a positive attitude towards your child's behavior. Positive reinforcement will help him distinguish appropriate behaviors from ones to avoid.
The praise can take the form of kind words, hugs, a toy, an extra movie, etc
Part 4 of 4: Understanding High Functioning Autism
Step 1. Learn about the autism spectrum
Autism involves a series of symptoms that can be more or less severe. Because it is a developmental disorder, the ability to communicate and socialize comes with difficulties, but there are varying degrees of severity.
High-functioning autism is less severe and is distinguished by the presence of abilities and an IQ above the average
Step 2. Consider your child's strengths and weaknesses
It is important to understand its symptoms. After identifying the problems, focus on these aspects to find a solution, perhaps exploiting its strengths. All these components are essential for choosing the right treatments and managing the mechanisms of the disorder.
Step 3. Take note of the symptoms common to both high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome
The working group for the DSM V has made some changes to the international diagnostic manual, replacing the previous category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (DPS) with that of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). If you compare high-functioning autism with Asperger's syndrome, the main difference is in language development. Children with HFA experience language delay earlier, just like other autistic children. Here are some symptoms that HFA and Asperger's syndrome have in common:
- Delay in motor skills.
- Difficult interaction with others.
- Difficulty in grasping abstract language (irony, metaphors).
- Specific interest, almost obsessive, only for some topics.
- Excessive reactions to various stimuli (sounds, smells, etc.).
Step 4. Try to understand that, although your child wishes to interact with others, he has difficulty in approaching them
You may notice these symptoms and think they are exactly the same as other forms of autism. The difference between subjects with HFA and those with other autistic disorders lies precisely in social relationships, because the former want to relate but do not know how to do it, because they cannot interpret body language and understand emotions. This is why it is important to help your child as much as possible.
Advice
- It has been found that lack of sleep can increase the likelihood of anger attacks. Both you and your baby need to get enough rest.
- Be aware that part of the daily routine may include certain personal care oddities, such as wearing the same outfit every day.
- There are controversial opinions regarding the definition by which to indicate autistic people - "autistic", "autistic subjects", "subjects with autism", "subjects who have autism". In other words, it is discussed whether it is preferable to prioritize the individual rather than his identification. This article does not support the use of one terminology to the detriment of another. Ask the subject what he prefers, and remember that there is generally no need to label them with a name, other than your own.
