How to deal with autistic symptoms?

compiled by and with courtesy of asrik.net

below are some strategies to deal with developmental symptoms/pdd in a child.

Concern 1: Child has poor eye contact.
What you can do: 1. position yourself so that you are face-to-face with the child while talking, singing or addressing the child. 2. Whenever the child looks into your eyes reinforce the action immediately after. For example you can say: good looking, beautiful eyes, change your voice pitch, etc. 3. When you play and talk to him bend your knees to give him better chances for him to look in your eyes during play. 4. NEVER force him to look in your eye or turn his face to look in your eyes. If you do the above techniques it will come automatically!

Additional readings:

§ How to Establish Eye Contact in Children with Autism, http://www.ehow.com/how_2064753_establish-eye-contact-children-autism.html

Concern 2: Child does not respond to his name.
What you can do: 1. DO NOT call his name again and again since this can reinforce a bad/undesired behaviour if he usually does not respond to his name being called. 2. When he is comfortable looking at you during play session or when he awaits eagerly for his turn and look at you, do address him by his name. 3. If he’s really excited and look at you again and again, you can call him by name when it is his turn. 4. DO NOT get frustrated or upset even if he does not respond to you as this can be achieved through patience, hardworking and consistency.

Concern 3: Child prefers or enjoys playing all by himself.
What you can do: 1. Watch him closely for a minute or two. 2. Do parallel playing with him (i.e., copy him using similar or other toys) for few minutes before expanding the play methods (i.e., demonstrate what more he can do with the same toys which would be more fun and exciting.) This way you can establish a good rapport with you the child. 3. Once he follows your directions in the play and after playing that way for sometime you can move onto some play of your choice.

Concern 4: Child has a small vocabulary.
What you can do: 1. name objects and label actions during play. 2. AVOID asking questions. Instead try telling him what he is doing (parallel talk), what you are doing (self-talk), show him objects and tell their names. Do actions and tell him what actions they are. Practice these methods during playtimes. Initially let him say the words after you before letting him say them spontaneously. To encourage him say words and phrases spontaneously you can say part of the phrase and let him fill in.

Examples: “Twinkle, Twinkle, little ________” . (Child says, “star”)

If he did not fill in, do not insist more than twice. Try again some other time when he is more excited and motivated. Whenever he does, reinforce it immediately verbally or using an object or both.