As we head back to school after a summer that, like most summers, did not feel long enough, motivation may be slim. So how do you motivate your child with autism to go back into that challenging situation when the summer blues are in full effect? Autism Parenting Magazine posted an article on their blog in July titled, "9 Effective Ways to Motivate Students with Autism" to provide examples and encouragement for pushing your child when they may be dragging their feet. According to the author of the article, Cory Morrison, journalist and autistic individual: the key to ignite that spark of motivation is by finding what drives your child. He gears this article toward teachers and how they can impact the children in their classroom, however, the tips are helpful for parents at home too. Children with autism have their own unique set of needs, interests and developmental challenges; if you can narrow down what those are for your child, you might be able to motivate them on even their "laziest" of days. The first strategy listed in the article is to understand individual challenges. Each child, more specifically, those who have been diagnosed with autism, are all on their own unique journey through life. Teachers, caregivers, parents and other professionals honing in on these interests and/or challenges is key in exciting and engaging them in activities or outings that they typically wouldn't have any interest in. Next, establish a supportive and inclusive environment where learning is encouraged and where your child feels safe and supported. Think of the foundation for a house or building...if it is not strong and secure, the rest will not hold and can come crumbling down. The same can be said for any house, classroom, center, etc. for children with autism in that if they don't feel safe, encouraged, loved or supported, they will not be motivated to engage in any activities or conversations. Children with autism in particular, thrive in spaces where they know what to expect and are shielded from any sensory overload, so focus on implementing that into your own home, classrooms, centers, etc. It is also important to establish structure and routine because it serves as a roadmap for children with autism by showing them where they are going and what to expect when they get there. Clear and predictable schedules can reduce anxiety and limit the challenging behaviors that tend to occur when there is uncertainty. But, simply having a routine is not going to cut it, the real magic happens when you actually stick to it. Life is always going to have unexpected moments and challenges, however, having a routine that can flex around those situations, plus a heads-up when something is going to change, equals a more secure and focused child. It is also helpful to make sure learning is fun both in the classroom and learning centers as well as at home in the day-to-day. Adding a little bit of fun can motivate your child to want to learn , hopefully, without them even realizing that it is "work." Using props like legos or cooking can really help with math skills like counting, adding, subtracting, etc. while boosting creativity and inspiring them to put what they learn in the classroom into action at home. Socializing is especially tough for children with autism, which is why encouraging interaction , specifically in a structured way, is especially important. Working in groups, teams, group outings, paired activities and more can help them learn to socialize with others, thus opening up a whole new world. The biggest trick here is to keep it structured and predictable to avoid any major meltdowns or upsets. When communicating with a child with autism, it can be really easy to do everything for them and plan their whole life out...even down to the socks and shoes they wear to school. Try to give them opportunities to choose whenever you can, to not only help their motivation, but provide them with a sense of control and ownership over their learning and daily life. Giving them opportunities to choose between even the smallest of things can make a really big deal when it comes to their motivation and independence. When you are thinking about how you want to structure your day and your child's routine, try making preferred activities follow the less preferred. The things they do enjoy serve as an incentive for completing the tasks that they are not so excited to complete. For autistic children, the anticipation of a fun activity will motivate them to do the less exciting task a lot quicker and likely, without the challenging behaviors. Speaking of tasks, it's important to keep tasks simple and achievable to make them less daunting and keep your child from feeling overwhelmed. Break things down into smaller and more manageable chunks will not only ease the burden and stress of a "chore," but it also sets your child up for success when tackling new skills and milestones. On top of that, when they do check something off their list, celebrate those little wins as added encouragement for them to keep setting their sights on new accomplishments. Lastly, use positive reinfrocement and rewards; the final trick up your sleeve for motivating your child. It could be anything from a favorite snack, toy, sticker, stuffed animal, movie, etc. Whatever you choose, make sure it is specific and unique to your child's particular interests, that way, it is sure to motivate them. By providing these incentives, they will begin to learn that their effort equals positive outcomes, thus inspiring them to do and learn more as well as creating habits that will serve them well as they grow. Finding motivation, even as adults, can be a real challenge, especially when the task or activity is not something that is particularly exciting. However, these tips can help you incorporate a little more positivity into the boring and mundane aspects of getting back into the routines of the school year and leaving the summer fun in the dust.
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