Having a child with autism will change your lifestyle forever. Such children used to be put away in institutions for a lifetime with little hope of improvement or of any meaningful contact with the rest of the world. However, now researchers know that the best results are obtained by an integrated management program centered around parental involvement. And some of the results are remarkable.

General Guidelines

Your dedication is an essential factor in your child's progress, but there are no guarantees. Since each child is different, no estimate of future potential can be accurately made. We do know that the child's, and later the adult's, social, emotional, and physical environment play key roles in reaching his or her full potential.

Your first step is to select a treatment program or combination of programs. There are many choices available with a variety of different approaches. Ask your doctor for help in finding a program that is right for you and your child.

Your next and constant step is monitoring your child's progress. This is especially difficult because there are no clear goals and expectations with a child who has autism. There will always be doubt that another choice might be an improvement. Pick advisors you can trust and stay involved.

Standard Approaches

The following are steps you can take to help your autistic child:

Follow a predictable schedule. – Autistic people do not tolerate change or surprise well. Minimize these types of distractions.

Maintain a structured environment. – Things out of place, even by millimeters, can be very upsetting to an autistic person.

Be aware of unusual sensitivities. – There is no way of knowing what a person with autism actually receives from his or her senses. Clothes may feel like sandpaper; broken bones may not hurt; whispers may be roars; hugs may be assaults. Normal expectations must be set aside and entirely new rules adopted.

Avoid distractions. – Slight disturbances may completely disengage an autistic person from the task at hand.

Organize tasks. – Even simple tasks may have to be broken down into fragments and directed one-at-a-time to keep the individual on track.

Try behaviorist methods. – These involve rewarding desirable behaviors to increase those behaviors.

Non-standard Approaches

Other techniques that may help your autistic child include the following:

Non-verbal Communication Skills – These include signing, typing, body language, and other forms of communication. These methods may be helpful to a child who will not or cannot speak.

Holding – Long periods of holding a child, whether or not the child responds, may enhance bonding.

Auditory Integration – The planned exposure to a variety of sounds, which is believed to enhance brain development. Some kinds of music, such as classical, appear to be beneficial.

Dolman/Delcato Method – The ordered repetition of motor development—rolling over, crawling, standing, etc—is supposed to help develop missing skills.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Providers

Stay in constant, close communication with your child's doctors, therapists, and anyone else involved in his or her care. This is the best way to monitor progress and adjust treatments.