Discussion: While these kinds of behaviors can be unsettling, they are not harmful to either you or the child. Consider the broader picture. “Every behavior a child engages in, autistic or not, should be treated as purposeful and as a basis for interaction,” allows Dr. Greenspan. The one exception is if the child is trying...
Discussion: We don’t want to say, “Let’s wait and see” regarding a challenge a child is facing; that makes the challenge harder later. “Parents cannot tolerate this answer any longer,” argues Dr. Greenspan. Parents need to lead the way and educate themselves with regard to their children’s health and well-being. In pediatric trainings, there is...
Discussion: For a parent who suspect their child may be delayed, it’s hard to know how early to intervene. A child’s speed or level of development is not always easy to determine, but you don’t necessarily need to pinpoint it to improve it. Turn the observations that concern you into action. Dr. Greenspan tells us,...
The best suggestion Dr. Greenspan can give to a parent? “Trust your own instincts,” he advises. Do your homework and “draw your own conclusions” when it comes to suspecting autism, or an autism spectrum disorder, in your child, says Dr. Greenspan. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else, since you observe...
Discussion: As a clinician or therapist doing the family assessment, you will be able to sense if there will be a deeper resistance from the parents, states Dr. Greenspan. “They will speak about what they do and don’t do, and the ways they are comfortable or uncomfortable interacting.” After that happens, suggest that they try...
Discussion: “You always want to be following the child’s lead during Floortime and throughout the day,” says Dr. Greenspan. It’s important to remember to “never say no to a child with autism unless they are in danger; otherwise, we block the interaction, and that is where the affect is.” You don’t want to prevent the...
Discussion: “The key,” says Dr. Greenspan, “is to extend the circles of interaction.” Once a child is somewhat engaged, you always want to extend the circles of interaction and get more and more purposeful. Play dumb with the child so they have to extend the circles of communication. The ultimate goal is the continuous flow...
Discussion: “Help your child use their ideas functionally and introduce make-believe play; try to keep increasing the interaction,” emphasizes Dr. Greenspan. The world of make-believe is very important: the richer the pretending, the greater the creativity. Don’t bypass the pretending, or else you’ll lose out later on when you’re wondering why the child isn’t being...
If your child has autism, should you push them to play with you? Or, should you leave them alone? What should you do about self-stimulatory play? How can you create down time for yourself and your child with autism? There are different types of ways to create “downtime” if your child has autism, notes Dr....
