Written by: Gianna Biondi
Edited by: Giselle Martins
As a parent, it could be worrisome to be informed that your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parents could be concerned about the future, and what it brings for their child. For example, the utilization of inclusivity in educational settings, being able to create relationships with others, behavioral issues, etc., and worries about how ASD could be a significant challenge in their child’s life. However, it is imperative to secure the proper parenting skills for those who are diagnosed with ASD. Overall, this could have a huge impact on the child, and help their development as someone with ASDr, and their place in the future.
To begin, authoritative parenting has been proven to be the most adequate parenting style. According to the American Psychological Association, authoritative parenting means that “parents are nurturing, responsive, and supportive, yet set firm limits for their children.” In this style, parents push for their child’s success, yet do set some limitations in order for their child to be able to learn and achieve tasks on their own. Studies have found that the concepts within authoritative parenting results in greater positive developments within children who are diagnosed with ASD, such as greater socialization skills, better behavioral skills, and more of an approach to independence and self-achievement. (Girolametto et al., 1994). Authoritative parenting builds a warmer relationship between the parent and child and helps with the connection between a child to the parent. The parent focuses on what their child needs closely, and guides them to be more independent for the future.
Education is also a huge factor that plays into a child’s life, especially those who are diagnosed with ASD. A child spends most of their time within an educational setting, as they are in school for around 6 hours a day - it is important to be able to give a child diagnosed with ASD the proper educational needs they deserve. Children with ASD significantly benefit in educational settings that are more inclusive, rather than those that contain more students; they interact more with the environment around them, and build stronger relationships with their peers (Lindsay, 2007). Building up and maintaining a strong relationship amongst peers is significant for a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development (Scheuermann and Weber, 2002) As a parent with a child who has been diagnosed with a disorder, it is salient to be able to be more focused on positive matters, rather than the negatives.
As previously mentioned, an aspect of authoritative parenting that represents this is the use of positive reinforcement, which results in a better bond between parent and child. Children diagnosed with ASD respond well with positive reinforcements, and feel best when praised. A key form of positive reinforcement for promoting good behavior is influencing the act of play. Play is a significant mechanism for a child’s intellectual, social, physical, and emotional development (Piaget, 1962). Although it could be a challenge, guiding a child diagnosed with ASD to interact with those around them (outside of an educational setting) could help improve their engagement skills. With positive reinforcement, it not only makes the child feel emotionally well, but also helps promote more adequate parenting.
Having a consistent schedule is a great strategy to learn as an individual. Influencing a structured schedule with a child diagnosed with ASD helps accomplish self-activities, and aids in building a pathway for independence for the child. A sense of structure cues a child diagnosed with ASD to become more self-direct, and more engaging in their home, school, and other environments. It helps them gain self-confidence, and slowly helps wean them off of high parental dependence (McClannahan et al, 1999)
All-in-all, one of the most important factors is to be heavily involved in the child’s life. Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a disorder that could easily be avoided. It is imperative for parents to be active in their child’s life, and be highly engaging for them through every step of the way. The child is primarily influenced through adequate parenting. It could be alarming, but finding out your child has been diagnosed with ASD is not something to pretend that is not there. It is important to take initiative, and acknowledge the disorder. Parents should promote references for their child to use, and help better understand their diagnosis, rather than being in denial. Parents should educate and teach the child about their disorder, and to validate them within life.
Parental involvement is a key part of development to any child, and really does play a huge factor in one’s life, especially those who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Children depend on their parents, and want their parents to be there for them. Parents are the backbone of the developing child, and should use this power to guide their child and prepare them for their future in the world.
References:
Girolametto, L., Verbey, M., & Tannock, R. (1994). Improving Joint Engagement in
Parent-Child Interaction: An Intervention Study. Journal of Early Intervention, 18(2),
155–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/105381519401800204
Scheuermann, B.K., & Webber, J. A. (2002). Autism: Teaching does make a difference.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
McClannahan, L. E., & Krantz, P. J. (1999). Activity schedules for children with
autism: Teaching independent behavior. Woodbine House.
Lindsay, G. (2007), Educational psychology and the effectiveness of inclusive
education/mainstreaming. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 77: 1-24.
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