The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,500 people have autism or some neurologically based pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). So, if you are caring for an autistic child, you are certainly not alone. Take five steps to increase the cooperation of an autistic child as you work to create an environment where relationships flourish and cooperative behavior is the norm.
Step 1
Study the disorder and observe children with autism so you can recognize autistic behaviors. Each child has a variety of behaviors that are uniquely his own. Difficult or impaired social behaviors; sensitivity to touch, noise, smells, sights or tastes; repetitive behaviors; and delays in communication are common to children with autism.
Step 2
Be flexible to meet your child's needs. If she has difficulty making eye contact, don't expect it or demand it. If she needs more time to complete a task because of her need for repetition, allow extra time for task completion.
Step 3
Eliminate or control bothersome stimuli such as noise or activity to meet your child's unique sensory needs and allow him to focus less on the environment and more on cooperating to accomplish the task at hand. This will create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable and safe.
Step 4
Establish routines. Whether at home or at school, routines eliminate undue stress for autistic children. A structured environment where consistency is the norm will help your child complete tasks with cooperative behaviors. Routines are also a way to meet an autistic child's need for repetition.
Step 5
Find ways to motivate your child to cooperate. Most children with autism are more likely to cooperate if they have had the opportunity to first observe the task to be completed. This adds to their sense of security. Adding fun to an activity may increase your autistic child's motivation to cooperate, as it does with any child.
