Children with special needs, particularly Autism, have become a hot topic in today’s society due to an increased rate in diagnosis and scientists are still unsure what causes autism. It is important for the population to completely understand the disorder especially since the spectrum of the disorder causes children to vary in severity. Common problem children with special needs face is issues interacting with typical children. Typical children may not necessary understand the disorder a child with special needs has, which causes problems with interaction. If parents have a better understanding of the disorder, they can educate their children and explain how to properly interact with a special needs child. This paper is not limited strictly to children with autism, but to all children with special needs. I will explain autism more in depth because the spectrum makes it challenging to fully understand. However, when teaching your child how to interact with special needs children/individuals, this information will not be limited to children with autism.
I would like to make a side note to tell you some information about myself and why I think understanding Autism and explaining it to your children is important. My younger sister, who is 12 years old, has Autism and is non-verbal. I was only eight years old when she was diagnosed and I did not understand that she was unique until she was three and still not speaking. It was confusing for me to understand what Autism was because I did not previously experience interactions with special needs children. I learned how to interact with children with special needs by experience. My sister may not be able to speak with me, but I have learned to communicate with her in other ways, such as sign language, to tell her I love her. She does not enjoy my hugs all the time and will push me away sometimes, but I know she is not being mean. Growing up with my sister and being a part of the Autism community has helped me gain a better understanding of autism and how to interact with special needs children of different severities.
Since there is a rise in Autism, children will most likely have interactions with special needs children and they may not understand why this other girl/boy is acting a certain way. There have been numerous times typical children have tried to play with my sister at the park and talk to her and felt she was ignoring them when she did not respond. While Autism may be a challenging concept for children to grasp, explaining it in simpler ways will help. Also, it is great to have your child participate in activities with children with special needs. This will not only benefit the special needs child, but it will greatly benefit your child. I do not know if there are studies that can prove this, but I can only speak from experience when I say experiencing the special needs community is life changing. I view the world in a different way and appreciate the little things in life. Also, special needs individuals can bring such happiness and help you gain patience.
What is Autism
The Autism spectrum is a complex neurodevelopment disorder that range from severe and globally delayed, which means delayed physically, cognitively, behaviorally, emotionally, and socially in comparison with average children through pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome. Children labeled PDD-NOS are in the middle and do not show all autistic symptoms, but do not have Asperger either. Asperger syndrome is a high functioning form of autism; individuals have difficulty interacting socially, repetitive behaviors, and motor skills might be delayed. (NINH)
Autism occurs in 1 out of 110 children, a statistical increase from 1 out of 150 children noted in 2006. Autism is 4 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-occurring conditions, including Fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome (a condition that causes people to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control), learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder.
The cause for Autism is unknown, but is it believed to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. There have been a number of genes identified that associate with the disorder. In addition, studies of people with ASD have shown irregularities in several regions of the brain and abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but there are therapies and behavioral interventions that are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement. Therapy, such as applied behavioral analysis (ABA), is most used, it is highly structured and intensive skill-orientated training to help children develop social and language skills. Medication may be used for symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Symptoms
Children with autism demonstrate deficits in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or interest. Also, they are stimulated by sensory experiences, for example my sister loves just spinning around and appears to never get dizzy. Some indications of Autism Spectrum disorders are not babbling by 1 year of age, not speaking one word by 16 months, not responding to their name, poor eye contact, and no seeming knowledge of how to play with toys.
Depending on the severity of the child the symptoms can vary drastically. Some children may be passive (my sister is most of the time), but some children have outbreaks and can be aggressive. It is hard for special needs children to understand certain concepts, such as sharing and the word no. Also, they have a very hard time expressing themselves and explaining things. This becomes complicated when typical individuals cannot understand them. Imagine not being able to talk or write properly. How do you tell someone what you want or how you feel? This is how these children feel sometimes. Some children may take things that are not theirs, push people that are in their way, scream and bite or hit. It is important to understand that every child with special needs is different.
How do you explain Autism to your child?
1. Explain Autism/ Special Needs children
Autism is a complicated disorder to explain to a young child and for them to completely understand. A simpler way to explain it is to say how everyone’s mind works in a different way. Explain that their brain is like a huge factory that all works together and this is how they feel certain emotions, talk and write, and solve puzzle. Next, explain how everybody has a different factory that works in a different way. Also, explain that they cannot catch a disability or whatever it is that makes other people different. Some children with special needs may use wheelchairs and it can be explained to a typical child that he/she uses a wheelchair because a part of her body does not as well as it could.
2. Explain that everybody is different
This may seem like a silly lesson that you feel you have already explained to your child and you’re right, you probably did! However, this lesson needs to be taught at a young age, reviewed constantly, and explained in detail. It is important to explain to your child some examples and ways everybody is different that may have not been previously explained. Concepts that should be explained are that not everyone may be able to talk or write. Teach your children that some people’s differences may be more noticeable.
3. Teach them ways they can interact with special needs children
This lesson may be difficult since every child is different with various strengths and weaknesses. It may be helpful to talk to the parent of a special needs child who can explain the best ways to interact with their child. Children with special needs have harder times with social interactions, but that does not mean they cannot be a great friend for your child. A special needs child may not be able to talk, but they can be great listeners even if they do not respond. Special needs children may understand more than what is believed, so speak to them as you would to any other friend. Also, they love games as much as any other child and playing with toys. Explain to your child that special needs children may just need more help and it may take them a longer time to do certain things.
4. Helpful references to help your child understand Autism
There are plenty of children books that explain various disorders that special need children have, such as Autism. Take your child to the library one day and you can together read these books to help them understand.
Some great books to read are:
“Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book” by Celeste Shally
“That’s What’s Different About Me!” by Heather McCracken
“My Best Friend Will” by Jamie Lowell and Tara Tuchel
Also, as you know, the internet has everything! Help your children explore online explanations of children with special needs; try this site:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html
5. Teach children by your own actions
Children learn a plethora of concepts from their family and by watching their parent actions. Your child may not want to play with a special need children because they think they are weird. Whenever you have a chance, show your child how you interact with special needs individuals. Ease your child into the situation by having both you and your child interact with a special need child. Compassion is not a lesson taught overnight. Get involved with the special needs community! It will be enlightening for not only your child, but you as well. These children view the world in such an amazing way that can only be understood if you see for yourself! My sister is part of a Girl Scout troop that has both children with special needs and typical children.
I hope you find this information helpful! This is an important and difficult lesson to teach your child, but it will be easy if you start when they are young. Please enjoy some photographs!
Hey here is a little about me! My name is Jacqualyn and I am currently a 4th year student at Rochester Institute of Technology. My major is Biotechnology and my minor is Science Writing. I am from Staten Island, NY. I plan on going to graduate school to get my Ph.D in immunology. In the future I would like to do research on Autism. My younger sister has Autism and she has made a large impact on my life. Some random facts about me are I love to bowl and have been bowling since I was able to pick up a ball. I love roller coasters and traveling. I have been to Italy and my favorite city there is Siena.
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