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My son is Autistic. For him, communication is mainly ASL and pointing. He doesn't mind being touched, if it is his idea. He follows a strict picture schedule. If you deviate from it, he gets very angry, He also does not understand "catch phrases".. Like, I'm going to tickle you to death, or don't take your eyes of that. He will look at you.. but will not hold a gaze... mostly looks through you like you don't exist.
In my experience, with my son and other children at his school, the direct approach is best. A lot of people with autism can't hand the over stimulation of group settings too. When dealing with children, you need to know (or understand) that they do not always have control of their emotions. Anger and frustration especially. You need to determin if they are being "Bratty" or it is out of their control. With Brayden, if he is over stimulated, he has a major melt down. Screaming, kicking, crying.. Difficult for onlookers. You get the bystander who will stare, make comments on how the child should be dissapplined. They have not clue as to what is really happening. Luckily, I have become immune to the comments and stares.
People with autism are extremely intelligent. They just have a difficult time focusing on conventional means to communicate their knowledge. Brayden tends to hyper-focus. When in this mode, it is extremely difficult to get him to change tasks. Disturbing him during these times, will result in a fight.
His therapist once compared Autism to this: Imagine driving on a busy highway, the weather is horrible. Rain is coming down in sheets, so bad you can't see in front of you, even with the wipers on high. Your cell phone is ringing, the kids are fighting and screaming in the back seat. The radio is blasting thrash metal music. You have a friend sitting beside you trying to talk to you.... You know what needs to be done, but can not communicate your needs to anyone in the car.
It is difficult to filter out what needs to be filtered. The description fits several disorders I know.
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