A Trip To The Beach

A picture containing text, sky Description automatically generated.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Overview. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a broad spectrum that refers to a developmental disability impacted by individuals with atypical behaviors. Those who are diagnosed with ASD often have difficulty with social communication and interactions. They also have problems with restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. (CDC, 2022).

Autism Spectrum Disorder cont'd. The child in this scenario has ASD level 1, meaning it is the mildest form of autism. Children who are diagnosed with ASD Level 1 have difficulty in communicating appropriately with others and find it hard to engage in back-and-forth conversation. The child is verbal, meaning that he can speak in full sentences and communicate with some success. However, he struggles with some aspects of social communication. Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another and trying new things Difficulty initiating social interactions and making friends Difficulty maintaining reciprocity in social interactions Problems with organizing and planning, which makes it hard for him to become independent Requires support when faced with the challenges of social interactions and its difficulties Loses interest rather quickly, and transitions to a new topic of interest Difficulty getting accustomed to a new environment.

Autism Spectrum Disorder cont'd. Children who are diagnosed with ASD level 1 are often considered to experience a mild form of autism. With ASD being an umbrella term, it is often used to refer to individuals who experience symptoms of autism but at different levels and severity. With the child having a mild form of autism, he is able to verbally communicate in full sentences, but has difficulty with social situations and navigating a new environment. Children with ASD also find it hard to engage with other children, and when they try to do so they tend to lose interest in the conversation and struggle to respond in an appropriate manner. With the difficulty in trying new things, children with ASD level 1 often resort to repetitive and rigid behavioral patterns: as they need help with planning and organizing. All in all, those who fall under this criteria for ASD level 1 may face social challenges and require some support to help them navigate through the problems that they face..

Free Images : beach, sea, coast, ocean, person, shore, boy, kid, view ....

Children Beach Playing · Free photo on Pixabay. Activity: A Trip To The Beach cont'd.

Group of Diverse Kids Playing at the Field Together | Royalty free ....

Icon Description automatically generated. Communication Strategies.

Communication Strategies cont'd. Electronic Devices If the child uses electronic devices such as a computer or tablet, this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to him what he will be doing and show him images of the sand and water explaining to him that the sand is nice and warm letting him know that he can build sandcastles and swim in the water. Encourage play Buy some beach toys before heading to the beach, such as a beach ball, sand bucket and shovel, or some sea animal toys. Play with the toys to familiarize the child with them and explain to the child what each one is and what you'll be doing with it gives the child a chance to become excited. You will be able to support verbal communication between you and your child by asking him or her what the toy is and what they will do with it by asking them what they will do with it..

Safety Considerations. The child has been taking swimming lessons and is comfortable in the water. However, as with all children near water, he must be closely supervised all the time. There is no indication that this child is a flight risk, but he may wander or become unaware of his surroundings while playing. Although his mother will be nearby, it is still a good idea to have him wear a bracelet or monitor that can help locate him if he gets lost. It would also be wise to teach him what to do if he cannot find his caregiver, by using a Social Story or other skill training activity. Have a bag of sensory toys and highly preferred items available in case of behaviour problems (favourite toy, food items, technology etc.). These can also be used to help during transition times..

References. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 8). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html Social skills for autistic children . (2021, May 19). Raising Children Network. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/communicating-relationships/connecting/social-skills-for-children-with-asd.