The word spectrum in ASD means that every child is unique and has his own combination of characteristics. These combine to give him a distinct social communication and behaviour profile. “Four out of five people with ASD are male” ( AboutKidsHealth, 2004)
But Why boys are more affected than girls?
Autism affects four times as many boys as girls. Because of this extreme gender imbalance, some scientists posit that sex hormones may contribute to the disease. Now researchers have identified for the first time a gene that may help explain the gender discrepancy and underlie some common autism symptoms. (Janelle Weaver, July 1, 2011)
The most common behaviour symptoms on autistic boys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VA6Q3vTC_o
My story with my wonderful boy:
My son was two years old when he first came to Canada with his family and with his younger brother. He was a very active boy who like to run behind the birds with laughing. After he completed three years, he could not talk or express his feelings. His eyes were looking far a way from my eyes whenever he wants something. I could not imagine he could has any type of disability because I did not know any thing about autism that time. After another year hoping he could improve in his communication or being more independent in the daily routine, I realized that there was something different about him. I took him to our family doctor and after many visits, he diagnosed him with ASD. The most challenges I faced with him what I believe most boys with autism might have are:
• Toileting • Eating • Sleeping • Following instructions • Social interaction • Expressing or understand other people feelings. • Safety, for example, running in the street, playing with sharp objects(knife). • Repetitive behaviour as go back and forth or flapping hands. • Sensory issues as loud noise and brightness.
Different tools and techniques:
• Working with autistic boys can be a big challenge for most parents and teachers in their daily routine. However, there many effective tools we can use it to make a big progress in the individual life. The following are the technical tools can be used for: A -For communication: social stories, sign language, Speech therapy, Visual Aid and Picture Exchange Communication System(PECS). B- For transition from task to task or position to another position, we can use: a timer, a schedule or a calendar. C-For challenging behaviours: we can provide Occupational Therapy(OT), group activities, or we can use a token economy to reach an specific goal. D- Fine motor skills: we can engage them in different activities, for example, painting with their fingers, playing with play-dough by squeezing and stretching, using small objects as broken crayons to colour with. E- Sensory issues: • Use Head phone for loud noise, • Use therapy balls to improve sensory integration and coordination skill. • Sunglasses for brightness.
EA role for teaching children with ASD: Using a task analysis is one of the best tool to identify of the child behaviour. Use simple words and phrases that child can understand. Offer choices, two or three choices can be enough to pick the best choice for him. Encourage the child to complete the work by giving him/her sticker, a high five, a period time for a computer,….etc. Knowing the child interest and strength, it can be a very helpful tool in different ways, for example, to improve the individual communication we can use the word(ball) as an interesting word and we say (this is a ball), and gradually teach the individual different sentences using the same word. Support the child with different devices and assistive technology, do not forget to use Visual Aid which has a strong effect in learning process. Play games that fostering the child to imitate others. For example, when the child is playing with blocks you play with blocks as he does, if he made a sad face you make a sad face, imitate as long as it’s safe to do so. Imitation help to learn from others and to take a turn.
References:
•AboutKidsHealth.(2004).WhatIsAutismSpectrumDisorder.Retrievedfrom: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/ResourceCentres/AutismSpectrumDisorder/WhatisASD/Pages/default.aspx •Autism Ontario Autism Society. (2017). Autism Ontario. Retrieved from: https://www.autismontario.com • Understood for learning & attention issues. (2014). 8 Fun Ways to Build Fine Motor Skills. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/movement-coordination-issues/8-fun-ways-to-build-fine-motor-skills •Autism Society. (2016). Diagnosis. Retrieved from: http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/diagnosis/ • Autism Speaks. (2017). Seven Ways to Help Your Nonverbal Child Speak. Retrieved from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2013/03/19/seven-ways-help-your-nonverbal-child-speak •Connor,M. (1999). Children on the autistic spectrum: Guidelines for mainstream practice Retrieved from: http://www.mugsy.org/connor2.htm •SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. (2017). Why Autism Strikes More Boys Than Girls. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-autism-strikes-more-boys-than-girls/