Can Adhd Lead To Bipolar
Research studies show that about 70 percent of people with the condition also have ADHD, and that 20 percent of people with ADHD will develop Bipolar Disorder. The tragedy is that, when the disorders co-occur, the diagnoses are often missed. It can take up to 17 years for patients to receive a diagnosis of BD.
Great Strengths And Abilities
In general, people with autism are honest and dependable most are focused on their work and are rarely distracted by social activities or outside interests.
Quite a few have exceptional talents in areas such as computer coding, mathematics, music, drafting, organizing, and visual arts. While it can be tough for autistic adults to set up and manage their own space and schedules, many are outstanding bosses and employees.
Some corporations have started to recognize the value of actively recruiting and hiring autistic individuals a few include:
Focus On Your Child Not Staring Bystanders
Meltdowns for any child can get noisy, but they tend to go to a whole other level of loud when its an autistic child.
These outbursts can feel embarrassing to parents when were in public and everyone is staring at us.
We feel the judgment from some saying, Id never let my kid act like that.
Or worse, we feel like our deepest fears are validated: People think were failing at this whole parenting thing.
Next time you find yourself in this public display of chaos, ignore the judgmental looks, and quiet down that fearful inner voice saying youre not enough. Remember that the person who is struggling and needs your support the most is your child.
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What To Do When An Autistic Child Has A Tantrum
Now that you understand the fundamental differences between temper tantrums and meltdowns, youll recognize that the strategies to address tantrums are rooted more in behavioral supports and skill-building.
There are a number of parent-friendly resources that target tantrum management strategies and the majority of them focus on a three-fold approach/
What Kind Of Tantrum Is It
How you respond to a tantrum also depends on its severity. The first rule in handling nonviolent tantrums is to ignore them as often as possible, since even negative attention, like telling the child to stop, can be encouraging.
But when a child is getting physical, ignoring is not recommended since it can result in harm to others as well as your child. In this situation, Dr. Lopes advises putting the child in a safe environment that does not give her access to you or any other potential rewards.
If the child is young , try placing her in a time out chair. If she wont stay in the chair, take her to a backup area where she can calm down on her own without anyone else in the room. Again, for this approach to work there shouldnt be any toys or games in the area that might make it rewarding.
Your daughter should stay in that room for one minute, and must be calm before she is allowed out. Then she should come back to the chair for time out. What this does is gives your child an immediate and consistent consequence for her aggression and it removes all access to reinforcing things in her environment, explains Dr. Lopes.
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Rarely Shares Their Interests With You
Babies are eager to share their interests with you, first with gestures like showing and pointing, and then with sounds and words.
Notice what your baby is paying attention to to figure out what theyre interested in.
If your baby rarely their interests with you, this can be an early sign of autism.
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Assume That Most Of Their Identity Is Down To Autism Rather Than Personality Choices
The phrase yeah, thats his autism is one I have heard far too many times. Even in professional circles.
Yes, our autism influences us. Yes, it often gives us particular habits or interests unique to us. But to say its just his/her autism is implying that we dont get any say in the matter.
I remember when I was running a chess tournament in a special school . One crucial match was scheduled for a day when the school was doing a special event. Throughout the day there was only one opportunity for this game to be played and ten minutes before the start, one of the students got a migraine and had to go home.
This stressed me out because I was relying on that matchs result so I could drive straight to the trophy centre after work and have the prizes engraved . And Im fairly transparent, so people could tell I was bothered by something.
When I told one of my colleagues I was feeling stressed, she immediately asked me oh dear- is it because todays been a break from routine?
No, it wasnt.
Some other examples:
That said, there is a balance. Like I said, autism does have an impact on us. I used to watch Independence Day on video over and over and over and over again when I was twelve, and you could validly say that this habit was influenced by my Aspergers. But the main reason it happened was because Independence Day was an awesome movie!
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Toddler Throws Toys Instead Of Playing Autism
Children explore objects and toys in exploratory play rather than using them for example, holding a teddy bear or sucking on a block.
It is normal for toddlers to throw things at an early age. Things you should expect from your child are outlined in a section near the one-year mark. Early childhood educators refer to throwing toys as part of the trajectory. Based on observations of young children in play, researchers identified patterns of behavior known as schemas. Toddlers, like scientists, are involved in testing the world for what is causing or causing the problem. The trajectory schema is a type of play in which toys are thrown. Peekaboo is based on the same cognitive ability as it is fun. What should I do about it? When they are not throwing things, they should receive a lot of attention.
How To Choose The Right Activity
There are many ways for people with autism and their family members to enjoy hobbies and activities together. In some cases, accommodations are needed, but in many cases, autism is either no issue or is actually an advantage.
The key to success, however, is to choose an activity and a venue that is comfortable for and interesting to your autistic child.
To choose an appropriate activity, start by observing your childs play and, if he is verbal, ask questions. What does your autistic family member enjoy? How does he or she choose to share interests with you?
Next, try joining your childs activity. Rather than leaping in with your own ideas and direction, however, try following your childs lead.
Many of us have been taught that theres a right and wrong way to play a game or build a structure, and we want our child to do it right. But when youre working with an autistic child, the first and most important step is engagement and communication, not instruction.
Think about ways to expand on your childs interest. How can you take an interactive role in her favorite pastimes? How can you expand on her interests and help her to explore the world?
If she likes watching Sesame Street, might she also enjoy a puppet show? If he loves collecting baseball cards, would he enjoy watching a game on TV or in the real world?
If there are challenges think about ways to work around them to help your child to cope.
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How Autistic Meltdowns Differ From Ordinary Temper Tantrums
Many parents of typical children refer to their child’s tantrums as “meltdowns.” The word “meltdown,” of course, comes from the catastrophic, dangerous exposure of radioactive material in a nuclear power plantand few typical temper tantrums rise to that level of intensity.
Autistic meltdowns, however, come closer to the euphemistic meaning of the term. In addition, autistic meltdowns have specific qualities that make them different from the average temper tantrum.
Mayte Torres / Getty Images
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Understanding Common Autistic Behaviors
We usually discipline children because they consciously act in inappropriate ways, whether it’s swiping treats off a sibling’s plate or intentionally tripping a child on the soccer field. However, a child with autism may not be able to control certain behaviors, and it’s important that they are not harshly punished for them. Some behaviors that children with autism may struggle to control include:
- Biting their hands and fingers
- Hand flapping or rocking
- Screaming or yelling
- Hurting themselves by banging or hitting their heads
- Not looking at people or making eye contact
- Physical aggression toward peers and grown-ups, like biting, spitting, or kicking
Many of these behaviors stem from children’s struggles to express their needs or desires or understand social norms and cues. You shouldnt place your child in time-out, shame them, or spank them because of these behaviors. Rather, it’s important you work to better understand why they are acting out in this way and, if necessary, try to avoid those triggers in the future.
Allow Them To Respond Emotionally
Your child will cry and get angry about the consequences . Let them. As long as they are safe and not hurting themselves, allow them to respond to their consequences emotionally. Validate their emotions, but follow through with the consequences. If you remove your child from the play area, you can sit quietly or give him supportive words as he cries. Whatever you do, stay close by to your toddler. Tell your child you can allow them back in the playroom when they are calm.
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How To Stop A 2
Oh, did you think when your 2-year-old is throwing things, youd simply tell them to stop? Haha, thats adorable. Yes, Ive been there too. First of all, thats designed to fail.
When your 3-year-old is throwing things for fun, telling them no is the absolute biggest kiss of death. You can kiss any peace and quiet goodbye in your home.
Does that mean you need to deal with the constant sound of toys being launched into the wall? Does that mean you put up with it when its directed at you? One mama named Olivia wrote me to ask what to do because my toddler is throwing things at me. Hang on, Olivia! Ive got you!
Why telling your toddler no wont work is very simpleit makes it more enticing. Think back to when you were young. Even if you cant remember your toddler years, you surely remember when you were bigger. Mom, can I go to the roller rink with Janice? No! It made you want to go, even more, didnt it?
Now, this is no roller rink, though. And you cant feasibly tell a child that is developing not to exercise this new skill. The novelty of it WILL wear off, that I assure you. So the trick is not to stop the throwing, but to teach your child when to do it and what is appropriate to throw is a better strategy.
What To Do When Toddlers Throw Things
Unless your toddler is throwing knives at you or trying to break the window with a rock, it is best not to scold, punish, or send your child to a time-out. At this age, it is not only futile to try to stop your child from throwing things it can even be detrimental for their understanding of their environment.
Here are a few things you can do about it.
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Autistic Tantrums At Home And In Public
Autistic tantrums know no boundaries, and can occur both at home and in public spaces. While some parents will become more flustered when an autistic tantrum happens in a public sphere, it’s so critical for us to remember that this tantrum is not in the control of our little ones that struggle to cope with the challenges of autism.
Reports indicate, “Theyre crying because its what their bodies need to do in that moment to release tension and emotion from feeling overwhelmed with emotions or sensory stimulation. Most parents will have some coping and calming strategies ready to offer an autistic child in the comfort of their own home, and that is a great source to turn to in order to bring calm to the situation.
It’s critically important to travel with a few sensory tools or toys in tow in order to have familiar resources to offer, should a tantrum occur when you’re out and about with your child. Studies show that, “kids have different favorites, but some common sensory tools include weighted lap pads, noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and fidget toys.”
Some parents require assistance during the public tantrum of their autistic child, while others are content ignoring the onlookers. Autism Speaks offers a wonderful solution to parents that want bystanders to understand the situation unfolding around them, without having to isolate their child in the process.
Signs And Symptoms Of Nonverbal Communication Difficulties In Autism
Children with autism spectrum disorders have trouble picking up on subtle nonverbal cues and using body language. This makes the give-and-take of social interaction very difficult.
- Avoids eye contact
- Uses facial expressions that dont match what he or she is saying
- Doesnt pick up on other peoples facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures
- Makes very few gestures
- May come across as cold or robot-like
- Reacts unusually to sights, smells, textures, and sounds
- May be especially sensitive to loud noises
- Abnormal posture, clumsiness, or eccentric ways of moving
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When My Son With Autism Melts Down Heres What I Do
Health and wellness touch each of us differently. This is one persons story.
I sat in the child psychologists office telling her about my six-year-old son who has autism.
This was our first meeting to see if we would be a good fit to work together toward an evaluation and formal diagnosis, so my son wasnt present.
My partner and I told her about our choice of home-schooling and how weve never used punishment as a form of discipline.
As the meeting continued, her brows became hawklike.
I could see the judgment in her expression when she began a monologue about how I needed to force my son to go to school, force him into situations that make him extremely uncomfortable, and force him to socialize regardless of how he feels about it.
Force, force, force.
I felt like she wanted to stuff his behaviors into a box, then sit on top of it.
In reality, each and every child with autism is so unique and different from what society deems typical. You could never fit their beauty and quirkiness into a box.
We declined her services and found a better fit for our family for our son.
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Acknowledge Emotions After They Are Done With Their Emotional Response
After or sometimes during an emotional response or tantrum I will acknowledge my toddlers emotions. I wrote more in detail about acknowledgement in my post sharing my favorite tip for calming tantrums. Simple acknowledgement helps toddlers realize that their big emotions are OK and helps them release them and move through the emotions faster.
The Emotional Journey Of Parenting A Child On The Autism Spectrum
Parents of a child on the autism spectrum can experience a range of different feelings, which surface from time to time. There are no right or wrong feelings. These feeling are a natural and normal reaction to parenting. All parents respond to the demands of caring in their own way. Feelings are always individual and everyone will react differently. Regard your feelings as signposts. They will tell you when things are not going well and need your attention.
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