There's no 'cure' for autism, but there are ways to support autistic people, their families, carers and friends.
Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how people understand and interact with the world around them, including how they communicate with other people.
Support for autistic people and their families is designed to help understand their differences, improve communication, and provide help with their educational and social development.
It can be difficult to know what type of support will work best for you or your child because each autistic person is different.
Support for autistic children
The detailed assessment, management, and care and support for your child should involve local specialist community-based multidisciplinary teams (sometimes called "local autism teams") working together.
The team may include:
- a paediatrician
- mental health specialists, such as a psychologist and psychiatrist
- a learning disability specialist (if appropriate)
- a speech and language therapist
- an occupational therapist
- education and social services representatives from your local council
Every child or young person diagnosed with autism should have a case manager or key worker to manage and co-ordinate their care and support, as well as their transition into adult care.
How to help an autistic child
The parents of an autistic child play a crucial role in supporting them and improving their skills.
If your child is autistic, it's a good idea to find out as much as you can about autism.
The National Autistic Society website provides useful information and advice for parents, relatives and carers.
Helpful interventions
Some interventions can help your child's development.
These include:
- communication skills – such as using pictures, sign language or both to help communicate as speech and language skills can be significantly delayed
- social interaction skills – play-based strategies, comic strips and some computer-based interventions can help
- imaginative play skills – such as encouraging pretend play
- learning skills – such as pre-learning skills to help concentration, reading, writing and maths
How to communicate with your autistic child
Communication can be particularly difficult for autistic children and young people.
Helping them communicate can reduce anxiety and the risk of behaviour that may be difficult or challenging.
Try these tips when interacting with your child:
- use your child's name so they know you're addressing them
- keep background noise to a minimum
- for some autistic children, it can help if you keep language simple and literal
- speak slowly and clearly
- some parents find it useful to accompany what they say with simple gestures or pictures
- allow extra time for your child to process what you have said
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