World Autism Awareness Day 2026 Autism and humanity : Every life has value
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Dr Yumnam Sana Devi
Contd from previous issue
b) Play as a medium of training
Incorporate Interests: Utilize the child’s interests to engage them in learning activities. For example, if a child likes cars, use toy cars to teach counting, colors, or concepts like stop and go.
Learning Through Play: Design activities that are fun and interactive. Play-based learning can be highly effective in teaching various skills, from social interactions to cognitive abilities.
c) Use Multisensory Approaches
Stimulate Various Senses: Engage multiple senses to aid learning and retention. This could include tactile activities, visual aids, auditory cues, and even olfactory or taste-related experiences when appropriate.
Hands-On Activities: Activities that involve physical movement or crafting can help improve motor skills while keeping the child engaged.
d) Simplify and Segment Tasks
Break Down Tasks: Simplify complex tasks by breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. Provide clear, one-step-at-a-time instructions to prevent overwhelm.
Use Visual Aids: Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and physical objects can help explain abstract concepts and support task completion.
e) Create a Positive Learning Environment
Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement frequently. Praise, small rewards, or a celebration at the completion of a task can motivate and reinforce desirable behaviors.
Encourage Autonomy: Allow the child to make choices where possible. This could be choosing the color of a worksheet, the next game to play, or the story to read. Decision-making can boost confidence and engagement.
f) Foster Social Interactions
Role-Playing Games: Simple social role-playing games can help teach appropriate social behaviors and communication skills in a controlled, safe environment. Interactive Stories and Games: Use stories and games that require turn-taking, sharing, or cooperating with others to build social skills.
g) Adapt and Be Flexible:
Observe the child’s response to various activities and be ready to adapt the approach based on what works best. Flexibility in methods can lead to more effective outcomes.
All above methods should be practiced under the guidance of a trained experts as every child is unique with different levels of deficits and strengths. There may be multiple issues and challenges for children with ASD but they can lead a normal life and enjoy all activities of a typically developing child. To enable them live a life with dignity starts at home environment, hence every caregivers are encouraged to seek help from service providers.
“Love and support to all my dear hard working and dedicated parents”
“Never think that you are alone. Don’t forget to take care of yourself”
The writer is Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (DM), JNIMS, Porompat
Contd from previous issue
b) Play as a medium of training
Incorporate Interests: Utilize the child’s interests to engage them in learning activities. For example, if a child likes cars, use toy cars to teach counting, colors, or concepts like stop and go.
Learning Through Play: Design activities that are fun and interactive. Play-based learning can be highly effective in teaching various skills, from social interactions to cognitive abilities.
c) Use Multisensory Approaches
Stimulate Various Senses: Engage multiple senses to aid learning and retention. This could include tactile activities, visual aids, auditory cues, and even olfactory or taste-related experiences when appropriate.
Hands-On Activities: Activities that involve physical movement or crafting can help improve motor skills while keeping the child engaged.
d) Simplify and Segment Tasks
Break Down Tasks: Simplify complex tasks by breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. Provide clear, one-step-at-a-time instructions to prevent overwhelm.
Use Visual Aids: Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and physical objects can help explain abstract concepts and support task completion.
e) Create a Positive Learning Environment
Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement frequently. Praise, small rewards, or a celebration at the completion of a task can motivate and reinforce desirable behaviors.
Encourage Autonomy: Allow the child to make choices where possible. This could be choosing the color of a worksheet, the next game to play, or the story to read. Decision-making can boost confidence and engagement.
f) Foster Social Interactions
Role-Playing Games: Simple social role-playing games can help teach appropriate social behaviors and communication skills in a controlled, safe environment. Interactive Stories and Games: Use stories and games that require turn-taking, sharing, or cooperating with others to build social skills.
g) Adapt and Be Flexible:
Observe the child’s response to various activities and be ready to adapt the approach based on what works best. Flexibility in methods can lead to more effective outcomes.
All above methods should be practiced under the guidance of a trained experts as every child is unique with different levels of deficits and strengths. There may be multiple issues and challenges for children with ASD but they can lead a normal life and enjoy all activities of a typically developing child. To enable them live a life with dignity starts at home environment, hence every caregivers are encouraged to seek help from service providers.
“Love and support to all my dear hard working and dedicated parents”
“Never think that you are alone. Don’t forget to take care of yourself”
The writer is Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (DM), JNIMS, Porompat