Autistic children frequently have accompanying sensory medically involved issues that should be addressed by parents either before or during the treatment to assure more success with training. The following is a list of areas to look at and refer the child to specialist if it appears there are problems.
1. Hearing referral should be suggested to the parent or caretaker if any deficit is noted or suspected during the behavioral assessment. This might be referral to an audiologist or to an ENT or someone with specialization in the area of hearing.
2. A full physical should be done to evaluate if there is any pain that could interfere with perceptions of senses. For example, allergy or tonsils may interfere with the ability to swallow or learn speech if the client senses pain when they speak.
3. The evaluation of the vision of a child is important in determining if they are able to see. Recently, it was determined that autistic children often focus on the mouth more than the eyes. It makes sense that increase his ability to see a face through glasses or other corrective treatment for vision might be helpful. If one eye is "lazy" this might interfere with perceptions and sensory awareness of the environment.
4. Some children may not have good strength in there fingers which may limit there ability to grasp and feel certain items. Exercises or occupational therapy might strengthen there ability to grasp objects and more sensory awareness during the manipulation of the objects.
5. Parents might want to evaluate dental health too. The pain of a tooth may distract the child and reduce his awareness of other activities around him.
6. Preventative measures should be taken to maintain peak sensory awareness. For example, brushing the hair away from his/her ears to prevent infection or water from getting into the ear canal. Drying the ears may also prevent any infection or problems with water in the ears.
7. Pain in any part of the body may distract from the child's ability to focus on what is going on in his environment. This includes stomach aches, pain in tonsils and any injuries. Even a stomach ache may lead to the child focusing on that pain instead of the task requested.
In general, referrals should be made when any problem is suspected during the functional assessment. The healthier and happier the child is the faster he will learn. Pain and medical conditions can distract the child awareness through his senses and lead to slower learning and development during early childhood.
1. Hearing referral should be suggested to the parent or caretaker if any deficit is noted or suspected during the behavioral assessment. This might be referral to an audiologist or to an ENT or someone with specialization in the area of hearing.
2. A full physical should be done to evaluate if there is any pain that could interfere with perceptions of senses. For example, allergy or tonsils may interfere with the ability to swallow or learn speech if the client senses pain when they speak.
3. The evaluation of the vision of a child is important in determining if they are able to see. Recently, it was determined that autistic children often focus on the mouth more than the eyes. It makes sense that increase his ability to see a face through glasses or other corrective treatment for vision might be helpful. If one eye is "lazy" this might interfere with perceptions and sensory awareness of the environment.
4. Some children may not have good strength in there fingers which may limit there ability to grasp and feel certain items. Exercises or occupational therapy might strengthen there ability to grasp objects and more sensory awareness during the manipulation of the objects.
5. Parents might want to evaluate dental health too. The pain of a tooth may distract the child and reduce his awareness of other activities around him.
6. Preventative measures should be taken to maintain peak sensory awareness. For example, brushing the hair away from his/her ears to prevent infection or water from getting into the ear canal. Drying the ears may also prevent any infection or problems with water in the ears.
7. Pain in any part of the body may distract from the child's ability to focus on what is going on in his environment. This includes stomach aches, pain in tonsils and any injuries. Even a stomach ache may lead to the child focusing on that pain instead of the task requested.
In general, referrals should be made when any problem is suspected during the functional assessment. The healthier and happier the child is the faster he will learn. Pain and medical conditions can distract the child awareness through his senses and lead to slower learning and development during early childhood.
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