Being around children w/ Autism, what to expect/how to Act?

[surftheiop]

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So im volunteering some this summer to help out with research/shadow at the local medical university. I haven't really started yet and one of the first things I might do is go with the research coordinator to watch her consent families/meet the patients for an autism study.

I've never really interacted with children with autism and don't know what to expect, so I was curious if you all had any advice or links to websites that might be helpful.

For example: I know they often don't like making eye contact, so does that mean I shouldn't look them in the eyes or do I just act normal?

 

[Regnvejr]

The good resource for medical clinics is a brochure from one of the university hospitals. I'll digit out of my computer tomorrow. It is specifically regarding medical clinics and setting up for smooth visits.

Another good source that I hand out to parents as well:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm

 

[apumic]

Having been a behavior therapist (ABA/PRT) for children w/ autism, my opinion would be that you'll largely have to learn this through experience. I wouldn't worry about avoiding eye contact w/ them -- interacting normally with them (per child's developmental age) will be a positive, normative experience for them. Therapeutically, it is important to motivate them, so I'd suggest playing w/ them if you can. Most ASD kids are highly physical and need more physical stimulation than they get, so if your coordinator is ok w/ it, running w/ the child or picking him up may be helpful. Also, if you do that, it would be good to label the things you do. (I.e., say "ready, set, GO" when you run or "up!" if you pick the kid up but don't expect a response from the child; your labeling will create connections in the child's brain but creating demands too early may inhibit later treatment).