5 Easy Ways to Help Your Child Deal with an Autistic Sibling

We parents understand how to deal with an autistic child, as we read and study; however, young children lack this ability. If you are among those parents who are raising a normal child along with an autistic child, then it is part of your responsibility to explain to them about autism and how to deal with their autistic sibling, explains a senior child expert at a renowned NGO in North Delhi.

Let us see how we, as parents, can explain our autistic child’s behavior to their  young child and help them understand their sibling better:

1. Explain: Educate them what autism is and how autism affected children do things differently from others, say a senior child psychologist at one of the special schools in Delhi. Inform them about certain common behavior that autistic children are most likely to exhibit like they do not usually make eye contact, they take time to make friends, they might show unusual behavior and stammer or repeat words, indulge in certain actions, and find difficulty in expressing feelings and emotions. This will definitely help your child to understand their autistic sibling in a better manner and they will be equipped to deal with them while interacting or playing. 

2. Overcome: Help them overcome embarrassment due to their sibling. Sometimes your other child feels embarrassed or ashamed of their autistic sibling and tends to cut-off from them, explains a senior child psychologist at one of the best special schools in Delhi. It is because your autistic child behaves in ways that look strange. Few of such actions could be – repeating certain words, covering their eyes, face, and ears with hands, waving or flapping of hands, jumping or fidgeting. It is pertinent that you explain to your normal child why the autistic children perform these actions and tell them that it is difficult for them to regulate their behavior or sometimes to soothe themselves. 

3. Educate: Teach them to talk in simple and clear language to tackle behavioral issues. Sometimes your autistic child exhibit difficult behavior, such as spitting, biting, eating non-edible items, pinching, pushing, and attempting self-injury, advice a senior faculty at an NGO in Delhi. They indulge in these actions as they are unable to comprehend what they are told and experience sensory overload or just feel tired. It is hence very important to educate your normal child to talk to them with patience and in short clear words and sentences and support them to communicate. 

4. Support:   Mostly, your autistic child may not be willing to bond easily with those around them. So, even when your other child wants to play with his/her sibling, they might simply draw a blank, explain a senior child psychologist at one of the best special schools in Delhi. This might render your other child feel disappointed, angry, or confused. The best thing to avoid such confusions is to involve in family activities where you can also be involved, such as playing board games or perform outdoor activities. 

5.   Encourage  : It can sometimes cause stress to your normal child when they have to deal with their autistic sibling, explains a senior faculty in one of the best special schools in Delhi. So, it is mandatory to encourage your normal child to talk and discuss problem areas with you and tell you how they feel. This will also help you understand their situation and support them or advise them how to tackle the family issues and relieve their stress at the same time.

For most parents, it is a herculean task to raise children with different developmental needs . When the age gap is less it becomes even more difficult. However, with patience and constant discussions and educating your normal child about their autistic sibling definitely makes life a lot easier. All the best!

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Created on Dec 23rd 2017 03:47. Viewed 471 times.

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