Being there for your child
When parents notice that their child’s behavior or development differs from peers, it’s important to take early action. Early diagnosis and appropriate support help the child to develop and adapt more effectively. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide and recommendations.
Observation and First Steps
Parents often notice the following behavioral differences:
Social differences: The child avoids eye contact, interacts little with other children, or shows no interest in socializing.
Communication difficulties: The child’s speech develops slowly or is absent, and they often repeat words (echolalia).
Behavioral traits: The child may constantly repeat certain movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking), react strongly to changes, or have very narrow, intense interests (e.g., Lego toys or numbers).
What to do first?
Write down the behavioral differences you are concerned about and observe their frequency and intensity.
Talk to your family doctor, who can refer you to specialists.
The Diagnostic Process Diagnosis in Lithuania typically involves:
Consultation with a family doctor: Share your observations and concerns about the child’s behavior.
Referral to specialists:
Child psychiatrist: The primary specialist who performs autism diagnosis using standardized questionnaires, interviews, and observation.
Child development specialists: They can perform a more detailed assessment of speech, motor skills, and social development.
Diagnostic tools: Structured observation methods and tools may be used to better understand the child’s behavior.
It’s important to understand that the diagnostic process can take time, but it’s necessary to identify the child’s needs accurately.
After the Diagnosis – What’s next?
A diagnosis is not a barrier – it is a tool that helps understand your child’s needs and adapt support accordingly. Here are the first steps after receiving a diagnosis:
Understand the diagnosis: Talk to specialists about how autism affects your child. Each case is unique.
Seek information: Scientific articles, books, and participation in training will help you better understand the situation.
Create a supportive environment: Make your home a safe and structured space where your child can develop at their own pace.
Recommendations for Parents
You can support your autistic child by applying the following methods:
Importance of routines:
Children with autism feel safer when daily activities are clear and structured.
Create visual schedules or charts to help your child understand what to expect.
Sensory environment:
If the child is sensitive to sounds, lights, or textures, adapt their environment (e.g., quiet corners, soft-textured clothing).
Allow the use of sensory tools like fidget spinners or stress balls.
Communication development:
If the child speaks little or not at all, use alternative communication methods such as picture exchange systems (PECS).
Encourage communication in everyday situations – ask the child to express what they want using gestures or pictures.
Social skills training:
Encourage play with others in small groups or one-on-one settings. Help the child understand how to follow play rules.
Demonstrate sharing and interaction through simple games.
Fostering interests:
If the child is highly interested in a specific topic (e.g., cars), support this interest and use it in learning. For example, use toy cars to teach counting or colors.
Collaboration with Kindergarten and School Specialists
A child’s success in education depends greatly on cooperation between parents, schools, and kindergartens. Autistic children need adapted learning environments that match their needs and capabilities. Here are some tips for effective collaboration:
Communication and information sharing
Initial meeting: Meet with school or kindergarten staff to discuss the child’s needs, strengths, and challenges.
Clear child profile: Share information about your child’s behavior, sensitivities, interests, and preferred learning styles.
Ongoing communication: Regularly exchange updates on the child’s progress at home and in school.
Assessment at the Pedagogical Psychological Service (PPT) If special educational needs are suspected, the child is referred to PPT. The process can be initiated by:
School or kindergarten staff facing challenges in education.
PPT specialists (psychologists, speech therapists, special educators):
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the child’s development and learning needs.
Provide recommendations on how to adapt education accordingly.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Parents have the right to participate in creating the IEP tailored to their child’s needs.
Goals: Set clear, achievable goals, such as developing social skills, academic progress, or fostering independence.
Evaluation: Regularly review the IEP to assess whether goals match the child’s progress.
Specialist support
Special education teacher: Helps adapt learning materials and methods.
Teaching assistant: Assists with focus, understanding tasks, and navigating social situations.
Speech therapist: Supports language and communication development.
Psychologist: Helps address emotional and social challenges, consults with parents and educators.
Adapted learning environment
Calm zone: If the child feels overwhelmed, a quiet space at school or kindergarten can help.
Adapted tasks: Tasks should be presented clearly, possibly with visual supports.
Promoting social interaction: Teachers can plan activities that encourage peer interaction while respecting the child’s comfort level.
Regular meetings with the team
Schedule regular meetings with school/kindergarten staff to discuss the child’s progress, challenges, and possible solutions.
Parents are a vital part of the team and should actively participate in decisions and share insights.
Familiarizing with the educational environment
Before starting school or kindergarten, visit the setting with your child. Let them get to know the space, teachers, and peers.
If possible, begin with a gradual adaptation period, allowing shorter stays at first.
Parental involvement in the learning process
Homework support: Help the child complete homework using simple and clear instructions.
Motivation: Praise effort and small achievements to encourage motivation.
Educating teachers
Share autism-related information with teachers and specialists. Suggest training sessions or reading material on working with autistic children.
Effective collaboration is key to a child’s success. Strong connections between parents, teachers, and specialists ensure that the child receives the right support and can develop at their own pace.
Autistic children can achieve great things with the right help and encouragement. Consistency and parental effort are essential to their success.