Autism Magazine SA issue 3

AUTISM

ISSUE 3- MARCH 2022

Magazine

SPEECH AUTISM HIKING TRAIL FOLLOWING A SCHEDULE

AUTISM TREATMENT

AUTISM MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENT WELCOME

INAM FOUNDATION

AUTISM HIKING TRAIL

SOCIAL SKILLS DELAY

AUTISM TREATMENT

PARENTS SHARING THEIR JOUNEY

TEACH PUBERTY

SPEECH

FOLLOWING A SHEDULE

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WELCOME

Welcome to Autism Magazine a platform that is specially designed to share all the information about autism spectrum disorder. We aim to provide information about development, special education, behaviour, communication and social skills.

Autism Magazine aims to serve as guidance to all the questions relating to autism. We will regularly have interviews of professionals, organizations and families affected by autism around South Africa.

Our Autism Magazine is suitably made for adults or parents with children on ASD, NOS and professionals.

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AUTISM MAGAZINE

Vezi Silwanyana is a mother of a nine year old girl that was diagnosed with autism.

She is passionate about supporting parents of children diagnosed with autism.

Before her daugther’s diagnosis she didnt know about autism.She is dedicated to raise awareness and advocate for autism. she is a founder of Inam foundation -founded in 2012, inspired by her daughter to which it’s named after.

Advocate for access to education for children with autism.

“children should be assessed based on their criteria”

Form support groups for children with autism.

Raise funds for various programs that will benefit families.

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Autism Magazine hiking trail 2 APRIL 2022 07:00 - 12:00 Aviato trails Muldersdrift Gauteng R150 PP For more information contact: 084 332 7275

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AUTISM MAGAZINE

Social skillls delay Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that cause delay in an individual’s development,one of the known delays is social skills. Social skills are rules and abilities that allow us to interact and form relationships with other people.Most people and children diagnosed with autism have difficulty socializing with their peers, social skills delay might be caused by lack of communication, lack of understanding nonverbal communication or social anxiety.

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Younger children need the following skills to develop social skill • awareness of other people • Eye contact • Sharing toys • Responding to names • Following instructions • Taking turns How to teach children social skills?

• Pretend play:( being doctors, playing superheroes etc.) pretend play allow children to use their imagination it also teaches them different behaviors and understanding of other people’s feelings • Sharing: encourage your child to share their toys and snacks with other children. Sharing is the easiest way to start building a relationship and bringing someone into their space.

• Empathy: teach children to console others when they are sad or crying, read books and ask questions such as how would you feel if something like that happened to you.

• Basic manners: teach children the importance of having manners first step can be golden words( please, thank you, excuse me..)

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autism treatment Any form of diagnosis is scary for everyone, no parent is ever ready to parent a special needs child. There’s no cure for autism but treatment can make a huge difference.

With the right medication and therapy, individuals with autism can manage activities, improve communication ,social skills and behavior.

Medication Prescribed medication can be used to treat certain symptoms that associate with autism such as aggression, self injury, irritability, sever temper, repetitive behavior, insomnia, hyperactivity, impulsivity .

Antipsychotic medication: antipsychotic medication such as risperidone and aripiprazone also known as abilify can be used for individuals with autism to regulate aggression, anxiety and hyperactivity.

Stimulants: most popular stimulants that are usually prescribed for individuals with autism are ritalin, attenta and concerta.

These stimulants can also be prescribes for people with ADHD, they are used to improve difficulties with attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity

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Therapies

• Behavioral therapy: focus on increasing desired behavior and decreasing problem behavior.

• Speech and language therapy helps with speaking, communication and interacting with others.

• Occupational therapist: offers a lot of benefits for individual with autism such as improved attention, social problem solving, cooperation, independence with daily tasks.

• Educational therapy: children with autism receiving intensive educational programs show behavioral change.

• Physiotherapy: depending on the child’s abilities and requirements, physiotherapy can help individuals with autism improve fine and gross motor skills.

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Lucia Mphahlele What were the first symptoms you noticed?

I noticed some regression in his development between the age of one and two

What challegnes do you face parenting an autistic child?

I think the challenges I face comes with the lack of awaness in SA,Most people don’t know about autism and they sometimes stare or look at you a certain way when your child is behaving differently to other children.

“I have three

children and my last born has autism”

What words of engouragment would you give autism practioners?

You are angels and superheroes, standing in the gap -without you theres no us.

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How was your journey of finding a good school for you children?

Lerato Mosedame

It was difficult finding a good school, we were on a waiting list for a long time but we finally managed to get a school that caters for our children’s needs.

“Parenting a special needs children does not come with a manual,just do the best you can.”

What do yo wish you knew during the time you noticed the symptoms?

Parenting three children with autism,how would you decribe autism?

I wish I had acted ealier, I was in denail because it was stressful.

Maybe we could have tried early intervention but it’s a lesson learned.

Every child is unique. all my children have autism but they have different behavious and they like different things.

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Rethabile Molapisane “It’s not about fixing them,it’s about supporting them”

What symptoms made you suspicious?

My child showed a few symptoms to name a few: not having eye contact, repetative behaviour (linning up toys), Impulsivity and language.

How do you deal with behaviour?

When my child was young he would respond to tight hugs expecially when he was upset, now he responds well to music.

He also likes to be held and to be reassured.

What’s your advice to parents with autistic children?

It’s not a life sentence, you are allowed to have fears. seek support, speak out and advocate for autism because our children depend on us to raise awareness.

AUTISM MAGAZINE

Selemeng Mooko “I’m an aunt to a nine

year old boy diagnosed with autism ” Myth that you are against about autism?

The myth that I am agains is that children with autism do not show any empathy.

What medication do you use for the symptoms?

what advice would you give parents that just got their diagnosis?

We use over the counter medication. We use CBD to calm him down, neurovance for focus and risperdal for aggressive behaviour and frequentnt meltdowns.

It’s not a one size fits all, what works for another child might not work for your child.Get to know your child, have a structure in place and know how to interact with your child.

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TEACHING PUBERTY Preparing every child for puberty is essential. Puberty usually starts from age10-14 (girls starts earlier than boys)but every child is different, preparing children earlier might help in case they experience puberty earlier than expected. Using visual aids and social stories can make it easier for them to understand.

First things to teach about puberty:

• Different body parts(male and female).

• Which body parts should remain covered.

• Appropriate and inappropriate touches.

• Behaviors that can be done in public and private places.

• Different genders.

• Body and emotional changes that will be experienced.

• Mature relationships.

• Hygiene.

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Children with autism might experience puberty a bit harshly simply because of the features related to autism such as sensory, social and emotional issues but it’s nothing a good preparation wont fix.

How to prepare for puberty talk?

• • • • •

Be more willing as a parent to talk about uncomfortable topics.

Prepare for tricky questions.

Be careful of the language used.

Create a safe environment that allow to talk about their feelings Be involved in their curiosity.

What are the best ways to teach puberty?

There’s no specific way to teaching puberty. Teaching should be tailored to your child’s learning style, stick to strategies that your child best respond to. Learning materials(pictures) and behavior management can be used to discuss puberty.

AUTISM MAGAZINE

speech Delay or regression in language and speech is one of the earliest signs of autism. Children develop receptive language (understanding what’s being said to them) and later on they develop an expressive language (ability to convey their thoughts into meaningful words).

Expressive language Children with autism struggle mostly with expressive language (expressing their feelings, expressing, their needs and thoughts) but as they grow older they start communicating their needs in different ways.

Receptive language In their early childhood they might struggle with receptive language (to comply when spoken to, to follow instruction and to respond to their names).

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How to improve language?

• Encourage language and non verbal communication: always talk to your children even if they are not verbal yet.

Try to have conversations of things they are interested in(colors of their toys, the weather outside, their favorite tv shows etc.) and always encourage eye contact.

• Use pictures and labels: children are visual leaners, using pictures and labels when trying to teach certain objects and saying the actual names of the objects will develop their language.

• Always use speech even when using other methods of communication: always use words, even when they are using other methods or ways to communicate(could be AAC devices or gesturing and pulling when they are communicating). When they request for items, name the items before handing it to them and encourage eye contact when they are receiving or getting things from you or other people.

• Encourage play and social interaction: play is the most effective and enjoyable way to teach children. Allow them to lead you in their games, follow along with words and keep them interested.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication(AAC) AAC is a method of communication used to assist people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate. Most popular and affordable AAC methods used at schools is PECS(Picture Exchange Communication System) PECS is a file with pictures that individuals exchange to communicate.

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FOLLOWING A SCHEDULE

Importance Of Following A Routine Routines are a back bone to our day to day tasks. Life is so much easier when everything is organized. children tend to cope very well with a structured routine , it helps to reduce anxiety, stress and tantrums.

Creating a schedule may be the best thing you could ever do for yourself and your child.

It creates a sense of order and it increases the feeling of overall security when the future is unstable. Routines allows a safe and comfortable environment and they support: Daily routine • • •

Improved cooperation Stronger bond between parents and children Ownership of tasks and skills

Following a routine can help children transition and adapt to tasks and activity.

They help with the following • • • • •

At school for transitioning into tasks and breaks Change of events Ordering tasks and activities Going to unfamiliar places Trying new things (food, toilet training )

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Keep the schedule where children can see it, make it more fun and flexible.

Be consistent with the schedule so that they can get used to following a routine. A schedule does not guarantee that there wont be any tantrums but it will definitely lessen the occurrence.

“Routines allow a safe and comfotable environment”

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2022