Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKnow the SymptomsTreatmentTips for Caring for SomeoneWhere to Get InformationCaring for YourselfNext in Autism GuideSigns and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Know the Symptoms
Treatment
Tips for Caring for Someone
Where to Get Information
Caring for Yourself
Next in Autism Guide
Close
Autism is a lifetime disorder. Depending on theseverity, an autistic person may need to be taken care of for life. If you’ve just found out that your child or a loved one has this condition, you are probably wondering the next steps to take.
Autism can be a challenging condition, especially when you, as a caregiver, are not equipped with the right information to take care of a person who has the disorder. If you are the parent or guardian of a child with autism, it’s crucial to educate yourself on the appropriate way to take care of an autistic child.
This article looks into caregiving tips that can help you give a person with autism the proper care. It also looks into the importance of caring for yourself while looking after a person with autism.
Know the Symptoms to Lookout For
Autism is a developmental disorder that’s common in the United States today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 44 children have autism. It’s also four times more common in boys than in girls.
With adults, the symptoms of autism are a little more recognizable. Also, because the condition develops in childhood, autistic adults will most likely already have been equipped with the tools to take better care of themselves. Autistic children, on the other hand, need a lot of care.
What to Know About Autism in Kids
Getting Treatment
As soon as a diagnosis has been made, gettingtreatment for your child with autismis essential. The sooner a diagnosis has been made, and you start treatment for your child, the better they’ll be equipped to handle their condition as they grow older.
Research shows that early intervention, which can begin as soon as the child is three years old, will help with the child’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development.
Treatment for autism typically involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Your child will be taught tools to help them cope with their symptoms better in therapy. This education shouldn’t end after the therapy session. You can ask your therapist to show you ways to continue supporting your child outside of a therapy room.
Tips for Caring for Someone With Autism
Here are some tips you should know tohelp care for someone with autism:
What Is Play Therapy?
Arming yourself with the appropriate knowledge to help your child with autism is essential. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there.
It would be best if you only sourced information from reliable sources that will provide you with accurate information.Autism Society of Americaand theNational Autism Associationare organizations that provide reliable information and resources about the condition.
The Disabilities Education Act provides children with conditions like autism access to free and low-cost health services. This law allows for your autistic child to be able to get access to evaluations, medication, therapy, and specialized devices either for free or at a very low cost. Under the act, children below the age of ten don’t need to have been given an official diagnosis of autism before accessing these services.
If you observe your child is displaying symptoms of autism or a developmental disorder, you can take advantage of this law.
Parents often struggle with finding time to take care of themselves. This can become even more difficult when parenting autistic children.
Research shows that parents of autistic children often find it challenging to combine caregiving with their daily activities.However, taking care of yourself andpreventing burnoutis vital to give your child the best help. Taking care of a person with autism can be emotionally and physically demanding. This is why self-care is also essential.
What’s It Like to be Diagnosed With Autism as an Adult? New Research Takes a Closer Look
6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data & Statistics on Autism. December 2, 2021Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders.March 29, 2021National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Early Intervention for Autism. April 19, 2021University of Rochester Medical Center.Interacting with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. 2021.US Department of Education.About IDEA.Hoefman R, Payakachat N, van Exel J, et al.Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder and parents’ quality of life: application of the carerqol.Journal of Autism Development Disorder. 2014;44(8):1933-1945.
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data & Statistics on Autism. December 2, 2021Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders.March 29, 2021National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Early Intervention for Autism. April 19, 2021University of Rochester Medical Center.Interacting with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. 2021.US Department of Education.About IDEA.Hoefman R, Payakachat N, van Exel J, et al.Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder and parents’ quality of life: application of the carerqol.Journal of Autism Development Disorder. 2014;44(8):1933-1945.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data & Statistics on Autism. December 2, 2021Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders.March 29, 2021National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Early Intervention for Autism. April 19, 2021University of Rochester Medical Center.Interacting with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. 2021.US Department of Education.About IDEA.Hoefman R, Payakachat N, van Exel J, et al.Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder and parents’ quality of life: application of the carerqol.Journal of Autism Development Disorder. 2014;44(8):1933-1945.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data & Statistics on Autism. December 2, 2021
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders.March 29, 2021
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Early Intervention for Autism. April 19, 2021
University of Rochester Medical Center.Interacting with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. 2021.
US Department of Education.About IDEA.
Hoefman R, Payakachat N, van Exel J, et al.Caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder and parents’ quality of life: application of the carerqol.Journal of Autism Development Disorder. 2014;44(8):1933-1945.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
