+ Early Childhood Social Interactions

+ The social interactions that a child has during early childhood will shape who they are as adults.

+ We Examined 3 areas of social interactions that effect how the child interacts socially lifelong: 1. The role of the parents in the child’s social development. 2. Social development in children with Autism and parents seeking diagnosis. 3. How early childhood social development can affect a child throughout life.

+ The role of the parents in the child’s social development.

+ Family is the main factor in the foundation of individual health, learning, and the ability to socially interact. Family capacities are resources that parents and other caregivers bring to the tasks of raising young children. They can be grouped into 3 general categories: 1. Health 2. Behavior 3. Education

+ Health Early childhood is a time of rapid development in the body systems, that are critical to health. Including the brain, nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

+ These systems are under construction even before birth, and, from the earliest moments of life, a child's experiences and environments exert powerful influences on his or her development and subsequent functioning, Social, cultural, and economic determinants of health shape the context of early experiences and environments and are particularly salient in early childhood when the roots of lifelong health and development are being established. Poorly constructed systems have an impact on health in early life, and these effects may be magnified as children grow into adulthood. Establishing strong systems in early childhood by meeting the foundational needs of all children may avoid costly and less effective solutions required to redress disease later in life.

+ How Do We Teach Children Appropriate Behavior ? Model what we want them to do. Say “please” and “thank you.” cross the street at the corner. Listen when others talk.

+ How Parents Can Help Language Development ?  Talk To Them  Add New Words  Answer Their Questions  Reading With Them  Teach The Words of Emotions

+ Social Interactions In Children With Autism

+ As the developmental progression of a child progresses from ages 2-6, a parents dilemma is whether to persue a diagnosis of Autism if they see "something different" in their child.

+ What are the indications of autism ? Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a set of complex neurological developmental disorders. Symptoms and severity differ with each child but include: Delayed language, impaired social responses and unusual play. Social isolation, not speaking, rarely smile Too much neurological activity - may be sensitive to light, noise, or other sensations which leads to emotional outbursts Emotional blindness which makes it difficult for a child to understand those around him. Needs help especially with social skills - their most serious impairment.

+ Asperger’s Aspergers Syndrome = social interaction impaired cannot be distracted from paying attention to details 'High functioning' intelligent in some ways

+ Some studies say Autism has a genetic component Many children who display autistic behaviors do not receive a formal diagnosis Study examined many dilemmas facing parents - whether to act to retain 'normal' status of their child or to normalize the child through diagnosis (receive therapy and other resources made available) Parents who received ASD diagnosis for their children became proactive in trying to reduce stigmatization of ASD and in some cases actively advocated ASD diagnosis to other parents. ASD children with treatment gives opportunity to build on their strengths and become successful, happy adults.

+ After diagnosis and resolving the conflict, social expectations and actually bringing more awareness. Helping other parents through the process.

+ How Early Childhood Social Development Effects the Child Throughout Life.

+ Could an intervention in childhood promote positive adult behaviors? In the article “ Promoting Positive Adult Functioning Through Social Development Intervention in Childhood” they try to answer that question. In a study by the Seattle Development Project they propose that select interventions can have lifelong effects on the outcome of a child.

+ The program put in place 3 interventions; teacher training, child social and emotional skill development, and parent training. The goal of the project was to study the effects of the intervention program by examining the participants adult functioning's, mental health, crime, and substance abuse at age 21.

+ Teacher Training: Be consistent with classroom expectations and management. Give clear instructions on the behavior that they expected. Teach interactively. Monitor the students comprehension. Reteach material if necessary. Parent Training: Know desirable and undesirable behaviors in their child. Teach expectations for behavior. Provide positive reinforcement. Give consistent consequences. Talk with teachers about their child’s learning. Have a supportive at home environment. Establish a family policy on drug usage. Teach their child how to say no to drugs. Child Social and Emotional Development: Decision making. Negotiation. Resolving conflicts. Identifying of consequences for problem behavior. Cooperation with peers.

+ The outcomes of the interventi ons on the participan ts at age 21 The adults spent more hours of their week at school or work. They were more likely to have graduated from high school and to have completed 2 or more years of college. Had better regulation of their emotions. Had fewer thoughts about suicide. They were less likely to have been involved in crime, or to have sold illegal drugs. Were less likely to have an official criminal record. Less likely to have used a substance

+ From reading this article and from the material read in our class I believe that an intervention in early childhood like the ones just stated can have a positive effect on the child. It has the possibility to improve the life of young adults and give them a better outlook in life.

+ Within the family lies the foundation for a healthy child. Parents and child benefit from ASD diagnosis, and children who receive positive interventions early in childhood are affected lifelong. IN CONCLUSIO N