1. Strategies for Parents
Understanding what works for children with autism

2. Kids with autism have difficulties with…
Parent's Meeting
Kids with autism have difficulties with…
Sensory
Communication
Behavior
They all work together
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3. Parent's Meeting
Sensory Systems
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4. Parent's Meeting
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5. Communication Next comes…. Now that we know how to meet their
Parent's Meeting
Next comes….
Communication
Now that we know how to meet their
sensory needs, their minds and
bodies are ready to learn.
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6. What is Communication? An exchange of information Receptive Expressive
Parent's Meeting
What is Communication?
An exchange of information
Receptive
Understanding what is said.
Expressive
What a person is able to express.
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7. Encouraging Understanding
Parent's Meeting
Receptive Language
Encouraging Understanding
Simplify Language
Wait - for processing
Reduce language when child is stressed or upset
Support language with visuals
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8. Why Visual Supports are Important
Parent's Meeting
Receptive Language
Why Visual Supports are Important
Concrete
Focuses Attention
Reduces Anxiety
Seeing is Believing
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9. INDEPENDENTLY Everyone needs a way to communicate needs and wants in
Parent's Meeting
Expressive Language
Everyone needs
a way to communicate
needs and wants in
every environment…
INDEPENDENTLY
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10. Why do we communicate? Expressive Language To request To refuse
Parent's Meeting
Expressive Language
Why do we communicate?
To request
To refuse
To get attention
To comment
To give information
To seek information
To express feelings
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11. Forms of Expressive Communication
Parent's Meeting
Forms of Expressive Communication
Tantrums
Physical - Leading you by the hand
Gestures - Pointing
Object Communication
Picture Communication
Words
Sign Language
Written Expression
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12. How do we encourage expressive language?
Parent's Meeting
Expressive Language
How do we encourage expressive language?
Use what is motivating
Favorite Foods
Favorite Toys
Favorite Activities
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13. How do we encourage expressive language?
Parent's Meeting
Expressive Language
How do we encourage expressive language?
Require Requests and LOTS of Practice
“I want ___________, please.”
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14. Promote Interactions that Encourage Communication
Parent's Meeting
Promote Interactions that Encourage Communication
You know he wants a cookie when he points at the cupboard.
It’s easy to give him a cookie.
To encourage language practice, require that he ask for a cookie.
Food, toys and activities are very motivating
After learning to request, your child can learn to make comments about his world.
I want __________. I see___________.
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15. When teaching communication, “fade out” the prompts
Parent's Meeting
When teaching communication, “fade out” the prompts
Start at your child’s current level
Your child points at a cookie
Say, “What do you want?”
Physical prompt + Verbal Model
Touch symbols, say words
Verbal Model - “I want a cookie, please”
Partial Verbal Model - “I want_________.”
Help child articulate words correctly by pointing at your mouth during your verbal model.
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16. What can happen if we do not encourage communication?
Parent's Meeting
What can happen if we do not encourage communication?
Behavior Problems
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17. Behavior Next comes…. Now that we know how to encourage
Parent's Meeting
Next comes….
Behavior
Now that we know how to encourage
communication, let’s use it when
dealing with behavior….
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18. Parent's Meeting
Even when our kids do not use words, they communicate with their behavior:
The child’s perspective…
I do not want to…
try a new food
get dressed
go to bed
If I scream, I will get what I want.
The parent’s perspective…
I want you to…
eat healthy food
get dressed for school the bus will be here in 3 minutes!
go to bed it’s 11pm!
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19. Ideas to help improve behaviors
Parent's Meeting
Ideas to help improve behaviors
Manage Sensory Needs
Encourage Communication
Use Visuals
Simplify Language
Establish predictable routines
Use rewards to reinforce appropriate behavior
Immediately praise for attempts at appropriate behavior
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20. More Ideas to help improve behaviors
Parent's Meeting
More Ideas to help improve behaviors
Offer warnings for transitions - “2 minutes until bedtime.”
Use “First - Then” statements/visuals
Offer choices - Do you want the red or blue shirt?
Use “Social Stories”
Use “Say OK.”
Be consistent
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21. Parent's Meeting
All done! ; )
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