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PLAY – An Effective ASD Intervention Any Parent Can Do!

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Sometimes parents get so overwhelmed with the fact that their child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder that they rely heavily on what the experts can do and forget the power they have to make a positive difference in their child’s life. That’s right, you as a parent can have an amazing impact on the progress your child with Autism makes, regardless of his or her abilities.

Research shows that play promotes healthy brain development, sensory processing ability, creative/artistic expression and language development. If your goal is to produce a well-rounded individual that will attain her optimal potential, then the care-taking adults in her life need to encourage and provide her with numerous exploratory play opportunities. These opportunities do not have to be planned and organized; as a matter of fact what seems to work best is spontaneous hanging-out in your child’s play world.

Typically, play is not something we have to teach young children but individuals with Autism often need help learning reciprocal play – how to play socially -depending where they are on the spectrum. Independent play comes easy for children on the Autism spectrum as they often get totally absorbed in their own little world.

This type of solitary play is important yet may not be the most productive. You may have been encouraged to pull your child out of their world of solitary play and into a world of play activities that are more appropriate for overall development. That makes sense, right? But this may not be the best way to approach it.

As a parent of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who wants your child to progress in a timely fashion, you may want to remember that before you ‘pull’ him into the neuro-typical world of play you need to spend some concentrated time and effort playing in his world.

What do I mean by this?

I am talking about living in the moment with your child and focusing all of your attention on what she is doing – being totally present and engaging. If she wants to line up the blocks or sift flour in a bowl over and over again, then join her in doing the same. It is so simple yet so effective that any parent can do it.

Why is this important?

Because doing so encourages your child to notice you and engage with you. This creates a great pathway to a meaningful connection – one that might say “I see you and I welcome you”. Once that new level of communication is established, it is easier to build upon and your child is more likely to take an interest in your world and how it functions.

Remember when your child was an infant and how easy it was for you to be totally present and engaged with him? Because you had no expectations, you were willing to get down on the floor and coo or mumble strange phrases and do things you would never do in public but just because your child is older there is no reason to stop. Rather than expect him to ‘act his age’ or be like his peers it is important to accept where he is at and relate to him on whatever level he is on.

Back when your child was a baby, interacting with him in this way may have been easily reinforced by the response you would get – acknowledgement that your child appreciated your antics. But you must never give up just because you aren’t receiving any affirmation in return.

The simple act of making yourself available is crucial because your child won’t become aware of you otherwise. Have patience and don’t get discouraged if your daughter seems distracted by your efforts to engage in her recreation. When you are persistent it sends the message that your daughter is worth interacting with and this increases the possibility for a stronger connection.

Depending on where your child falls on the Autism spectrum, he may take a while to notice what you are trying to do and invite you into his play. You can make this more likely to occur if you expend some extra effort to make yourself and what you are doing thoroughly enticing.

So think outside the box and from your child’s perspective as to what will help you engage with him. Once you have mastered that then he will be more likely to accept an invitation to play in the neuro-typical world and grasp the concept of reciprocal social play.

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I would love to hear your thoughts on this if you would like to submit your comments in the box below.

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