Your child was just diagnosed with autism. Here is what you can do at home this month.
You don't need a therapist, money or a perfect plan to start helping your child this week. These steps work in any country, on a phone, and they're free.
Your child is the same child they were before the diagnosis. Autism isn't caused by anything you did. Children with autism keep learning all their lives, and help at home can make a real difference.
Week 1: Watch and write down
Notice what your child loves, how they tell you what they want, and what happens just before the hard moments.
Week 2: Make the day predictable
Keep the same order each day, as much as you can. Show the day with pictures, and warn before changes: "Two more minutes, then bath."
Week 3: Help your child communicate
Get face to face and use few words. Hold up something your child loves, wait a few seconds for a look, sound, point or word, then give it to them. Answer every try.
Week 4: Handle hard moments
Look at what usually happens just before. Hard behavior is usually a way of saying something. Show your child a better way to ask, and notice the good moments.
If your child hurts themselves or others, or you're worried about their safety, talk to a doctor or health worker as soon as you can. If behavior changes suddenly, ask a doctor too: pain, illness or poor sleep can make things harder. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Take care of yourself too. Find one person to talk to, and rest when you can. One small step a day is enough.
Waiting for services? Ask your child's doctor or health worker what exists where you live. Everything here is something you can do while you wait.
Scan for the full plan (no sign-up needed to read it), with videos in English and links to free makers for picture schedules and reward charts.
special-learning.com/autism/first-30-days-at-home
The plan is also in Español, Português, हिन्दी, Français, العربية, 中文 and Bahasa Indonesia.
Given to you by:
Written by Special Learning, Inc., 445 E. Illinois, Suite 6702, Chicago, IL 60611, USA · special-learning.com. Whoever gives you this page is not endorsing Special Learning. Free to print and give to families.