Talk? Why on earth should I??
As a parent of someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related social communication difficulties — if you can only find time to study just one course, make sure it’s this one.
Let’s dial back to 2010. Little one was 4 years old and making absolutely no attempt at verbal, and very little attempt at non-verbal, communication. It was desperately hard to see. No amount of cajoling or focus could crack through his autism-shell.
It wasn’t pretty
I was an emotional wreck who spent her mornings hauling a screaming child up the street so we could get his brother to school, and then dragging him back down the road; only to have to repeat again at pick up time. I was working full time whilst juggling three boys, two rats and a kitten — all whilst trying to learn as much as I could about autism spectrum disorder.
Time was a commodity that I simply didn’t have and I felt like a failure as a Mother — to the little one and to my other two children.
Diagnosis gave me access to a raft of incredible people and resources. I’ve lost count of how many courses I’ve attended over the years but, without question, the best of the best was More Than Words® — The Hanen Program® for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related social communication difficulties. Over the course of 10 weeks, they gave a ridiculous amount of practical advice to encourage children communicate.
The key thing I learnt, and it was a piece of information that I passed on to everyone that dealt with the little one, was to “give him a reason to talk”. Put obstacles in his way and encourage him to speak in order to get what he wants. I started doing a number of things, including:
- No longer giving him a drink just because I ‘knew’ he was thirsty.
- Putting the television remote control on top of the bookshelf.
- Hiding his most loved book.
- Moving the yogurts (his favourite) to the top shelf of the fridge.
- Not leaving the computer logged on so he could access it whenever he wants…
Leverage is the key to communication, I started to make him ASK.
Obvious when you think about it, but often the very greatest ideas are the simple ones.
You know your child better than anyone, and you know what will motivate them to communicate.
As you go through this type of process though be sure to:
- Set appropriate and realistic goals
- Slowly make the social interactions last longer, don’t force it. Just an extra 5 seconds is a win.
- Use visual aids, we all learn differently but I found that visual tools helped immensely. For example: when I got his “messy” apron out he would know it’s painting time.
- Speak in a moderated tone, use a small number of words and be concise.
- Create social stories to prepare your child for changes in routine or to help them understand appropriate means of play
Today
I have a twelve year old chatterbox on my hands. I sometimes joke that this worked a little TOO well! ;)
