CARING FOR ADULTS with AUTISM

TIPS FOR CARING FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM

Social, emotional, communication on behavioral challenges, or a combination, are among people with autism spectrum disorder. (ASD), or autism. If you care for someone with ASD, you may notice that they may not react to, interact with, or learn about people and things in the same way you do. These differences, which often require a modified approach to communication and care, may include:

Differently or inability to adapt to changes when routine or environment change.

Trouble expressing themselves through typical words or gestures

Unusual reactions or aversions to certain sounds, textures, smells, tastes, and sights.

Trouble relating to, having an interest in, or communicating with other people

Avoidance of eye contact or socialization

Difficulty understanding their own or other's feelings

Aversion to touch

Repetitive or restrictive behaviors

Repetitive speech

Difficulty communicating needs

Misunderstanding of directions or questions

Taking everything literally (even when it's not meant that way)

Unusual attachments to objects as preoccupation with specific interests or actions

When caring for adults on the spectrum, certain strategies can help caregivers (or family) improve communication, promote a calmer and more productive daily routine, and support continued personal growth.

SCHEDULE AMPLE TIME FOR COMMUNICATION

Language and social skills vary widely among people with ASD. Some adults with autism have minimal communication challenges, perhaps just taking things too literally or having trouble with certain social cues. Others may be hard to understand, have trouble following conversations or directions, or even be completely nonverbal. Time and patience and patience are essential for improving communication.

When talking with someone you're caring for, whether it's an everyday conversation or you're trying to explain something more challenging, it's important to be respectful and address the person like an adult. As you speak, try to focus on being literal, clear, and direct as possible, avoiding sarcasm, metaphors, and abstract language, as these may be difficult to understand.

Exercise patience as you for a response, as someone with ASD may need a little extra time to process what you've just said before they can verbally or physically respond. Then take time to listen and try to understand what they are saying. If needed, you can ask the person to repeat their response as you can pose a few more questions to clarify what they mean, as long as those follow-ups are respectful and patient. Finally, it's important to offer honest but kind feedback based on the person's level of communication and understanding - about any inappropriate behaviors or areas they can focus on to make communication a little easier. Supportive patient communication goes a long way.

REINFORCE CONSISTENCY

People with autism often have trouble adjusting to changes in routines, schedules, and environments. Changes may bring about anxiety, frustration, and even emotional outbursts. Consistency can help someone with autism feel more in control and may bring some comfort if they're feeling otherwise anxious. By trying to establish consistency and their environment and daily routines, you can help an adult with autism feel more independent and secure, relieve some of the stress they may be feeling, help them achieve their goals, and improve their relationship.

Depending on the level of care you're providing and the person's individual needs, goals, and challenges your daily routines can vary. They will often involve, getting ready for the day. Meal preparation and eating daily chores and responsibilities, social activities and/or hobbies, therapies, and education or unemployment (when applicable)

Creating a basic list or outline of each task the person sets out to, or should, complete each day can help. This daily schedule should include how long each day task or activity is expected to take and what steps are included within each task or activity. Setting alarms or timers for when certain activities should begin is helpful for many people, as marking a calendar with important appointments and events. A visual reminder of the steps to follow in each task-wether a bulleted list or a chart with picture representations, depending on the individual's level of ability can help them stick to a consistent routine. You may need to guide them through each step until they get the hang of it, and often praise (and sometimes reward) for a job well done.

As you establish this consistency, a daily routine will become easier for the person with ASD to maintain. Gradually adding new tasks, or steps for each task can help someone be more flexible, but try to follow the individual's pace and be respectful of their comfort level.

PARTICIPATE IN EMOTIONAL PREPARATION

Any kind of change can be difficult for someone with autism. A move to a new home, a new or different therapy, a trip to an unfamiliar place, and major events like the death of a pet or loved one can be overwhelming to someone with ASD. Unexpected changes tend to be the most traumatic, and unfortunately, there are some you can't predict or prepare for. Being as supportive patient and kind as possible matters most in those moments. But for changes you can plan for, clear communication can make a big difference in how a person with autism can handle the situation.

As far accordance as possible, you should tell the person with ASD what change is coming, when to expect it, why that change is a good opportunity, and how it will benefit them. Countdown calendars, practice runs or drives to a new location, videos or photographic representations of what the person can expect during the new activity or at the new location, and promises of rewards for successful completion of a new (and often anxiety-provoking) activity can be helpful strategies. Allowing the extra time from the transition, permitting the person to bring comfort items or positive distractions along. and trying to be calm and patient along the way will help you both navigate change more smoothly.

GIVE THEM PERSONAL SPACE

While some people with autism frequently overstep the social convention of personal space perhaps talking to close to others or hugging strangers may others have difficulty with both the social and sensory aspects of interaction. Some individuals with ASD (space between) eye/contact or engage with others because they have trouble understanding and responding to social cues within a conversation. Others are overwhelmed by noisy uncomfortable conversations or don't like to be touched. A hug, handshake, or brush on the arm may make them feel anxious and very uncomfortable.

That's why it's important to give adults with autism their personal space. Forcing someone who feels this level of discomfort to talk to someone too closely and take someone's hand (especially a stranger), as a hug may lead to trust and communication issues. Try to assist their level of comfort. Let them come to you for a hug or a handshake and use other tactics to greet them or calm the stressful situation, such as giving them a wave and a smile or saying something supportive or complementary.

REMAIN CALM AND PATIENT

People with autism are dealing with a lot. They may feel like they have little control over their emotions or feel overwhelmed by normal sensory inputs like sounds, sights, and smells. They may be very anxious about a recent change in their lives or frustrated by their mobility to understand in participating in a conversation as much as they'd like to. They may be completely unable to communicate verbally.

Remaining calm and patient when taking care of someone who has ASD, and helping them navigate everyday life, is so important because it comforts them and helps bring order and understanding to overwhelming situations. Sharing empathy, telling (and showing) them that they are safe and valued, avoiding losing their temper whenever possible, offering comfort items or distractions, and trying to engage them in coping strategies (talking, deep breathing, yoga) can go a long way in your caregiving.

CONCLUSION:

Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability. The characteristic of the disability; little or lack of speech development, avoiding social contact or awareness, and routines of behaviors are not experienced to the same degree for everyone living with autism.

For adults with autism to achieve great success many go through adulthood still struggling with sensory issues and communication deficits.

SUMMARY FOR AUTISM

People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted behaviors or interests: People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving or paying attention. These characteristic can make life very challenging.

Public awareness clears up stereotypes and misunderstanding and serve as a form of emotional support for parents and caregivers. Early intervention is extremely crucial for individuals with autism.

The most important with autism spectrum disorder often care deeply but struggle to sponteneously develop emphatetic and socially connected typical behavior, individuals with ASD open want to interact socially but lack of ability to sponteneously develop effective social interaction skills.