Let’s talk about building that flexibility muscle in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
We know that autism spectrum disorders are indeed on a spectrum. This means that your child may or may not have challenges with flexibility or may have different degrees of strengths or challenges in this area.
Some children with autism will face challenges in the area of flexibility which may look like; difficulties with transitioning and/or change, preferring routine or sameness, and distress upon seemingly small changes (in which the reaction may be out of proportion for the change).
For some children with autism, these changes cause discomfort, stress and/or anxiety.
We live in a world where tolerating change is necessary to maintain relationships, build relationships, maintain mental health, participate in educational or work programs, learn, and just about within every realm of life.
This is why building that flexibility muscle is so important for our little ones. Starting early is important. Here are some quick tips to help get you started!
Some consistency is okay and productive. For parts of life that follow a predictable routine, keep these routines. For example, having breakfast or dinner at the same time each day or being able to have ‘play time’ after homework time on school days.
Model flexibility in your own day to day life. For example, change the route that you take a walk together, change the ‘shape’ of your child’s sandwich using a cookie cutter, put on a silly hat during the day, go to a new park one afternoon.
Help your child become a problem-solver. For example, allow your child to ‘choose’ what is going to happen and be independent when things don’t go the way that they envisioned. For example, If you went to the park and all of the swings were taken guide your child to come up with a ‘flexible solution.’ If your child’s solution is to take a turn ‘now,’ we can help by brainstorming possible solutions; such as, ‘Hmmm…should we go down the slide while we wait or play chase while we wait?’
If your little one is still learning to play and interact with you. Start by making small changes while you are playing. You can do this by having a separate toy to imitate your child without changing his or her plan abruptly. You can also encourage flexibility by slowly ‘adding something different’ to the play to encourage your child to try new actions in play.
Please reach out with any questions, I am happy to help.
Warmly,
Alexis