Parenting a Child with Autism

For children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), research suggests that structured behaviorally based programs tailored to the child's developmental level are most effective. Implementing such a program helps promote appropriate behavior and facilitate cognitive and emotional development. Most behavioral programs include: 

• Clear instructions to the child — Children with ASD need to be told and shown the expectation. Use modeling, pictures and hand-over-hand assistance to direct the child clearly while providing verbal directions.  
• Visual schedules — Children with ASD (even those who are verbal) often interpret visual information better than auditory. A visual schedule can help ease transitions and improve flexibility. 
• Prompting to perform specific behaviors — Children with ASD often need a visual, verbal or tactile prompt to complete a learned behavior initially. 
• Immediate praise and rewards for performing those behaviors — Because children with ASD are generally less internally motivated and rewarded by social interactions and pleasing others, they often require an external motivator, which is a preferred item or activity. 
• A gradual increase in the complexity of reinforced behaviors — Oftentimes, tasks must be broken down into very small, distinct steps and each step taught before moving to the next. 
• Definite distinctions of when and when not to perform the learned behavior — Children with ASD usually have difficulties with both generalizing a learned behavior to a new situation and recognizing a learned behavior change in different settings. 
• Raising the bar — Focus on task completion or independence rather than sticking to a routine or schedule. Children with ASD may quickly learn that if they resist a task, others will complete it and the demand will be removed. 
• Consistency — The best learning occurs when everyone on the child’s support team is implementing compatible teaching strategies across settings. Consistency across settings and caretakers promotes generalization of skills learned. 

Books About Parenting Strategies

• “A Treasure Chest of Behavior Strategies for Individuals with Autism” by Beth Fouse, Ph.D, and Maria Wheeler, M. Ed.
• “An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn” by Sally J. Rogers, Ph.D, Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D, and Laurie A. Vismara, Ph.D 
• “Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism” edited by Catherine Maurice, co-edited by Gina Green, Ph.D, and Stephen C. Luce, Ph.D 
• “Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism” by May Lynch Barbera, Ph.D, and Temple Grandin, Ph.D
• “High Functioning Autism and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Reducing Meltdowns” by Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D, and Ruth Aspy, Ph.D
• “Zones of Regulation” by Leah Kuypers, M.A. Ed.
• “The Self-Help Guide for Special Kids and Their Parents” by Joan Matthews and James Williams