Anybody here worked with an autistic child?

**feedback** · Posted On: 1/18/2007 7:06pm

Posting on forums doesn't count.

I'm volunteering in a program at my uni for physical activity for mentally disabled kids, and I'm going to be working with an autistic 9 year old. We play a variety of games for about an hour, then switch over and go to the pool for an hour. The kid is supposed to be generally easy to handle, has a very high energy, but has trouble changing activities quickly.

Any advice?

**Scrapper** · Posted On: 1/18/2007 7:16pm

*5 years as a mental health professional*

-Don't change activities quickly.

-warn the kid at 20, 15, 10, 5 and 1 minute before it is time to switch. Don't let it be a surprise.

-When it is time to switch. Switch. This will suck at first (and for a while) because the kid will resist and try to train you to stop trying. Don't let the kid train you. Be quiet, be clam, be consistent.

-Remember, the kid is not entirely in conttrol of how activity switching makes him feel, and he will react childishly, even though you don't think it's abig deal. It is a big deal to him. Be sensitive to that.

-Never get frustrated. Ever. Even if you are frustrated...no one knows it but you.

-Have fun. Seriously...if you are having fun, he will. It's contagious to kids.

good luck.

**feedback** · Posted On: 1/18/2007 7:23pm

thanks for the tips, sounds like what our instructor told us

**SuperGuido** · Posted On: 1/18/2007 7:33pm

My stepmother's youngest child is a semi-functional autist...and it sucks. Random yelling, singing, wandering, and generally unpredictable behavior.

Do you have any idea what his function level is?

Knowing this could be the difference between receiving a semi-lucid response to a question/direction or spending hours trying to stop the kid from screaming and flailing.

Good luck!

---

BTW, what is up with your fixation on young asian men for avatars? Last time I checked, you're a silly, slightly effeminate white guy...

**feedback** · Posted On: 1/18/2007 7:42pm

Originally Posted by Satori

My stepmother's youngest child is a semi-functional autist...and it sucks. Random yelling, singing, wandering, and generally unpredictable behavior.

Do you have any idea what his function level is?

Knowing this could be the difference between receiving a semi-lucid response to a question/direction or spending hours trying to stop the kid from screaming and flailing.

Good luck!

---

BTW, what is up with your fixation on young asian men for avatars? Last time I checked, you're a silly, slightly effeminate white guy...

hahaha, they're all singers I like... plus it's an anti-yellow fever for women thing

obviously, I'm silly... and I only look beautiful, I don't act it~