I had the opportunity last week to attend the Training Institute on Autism at Florida State University sponsored by the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). Over the course of the week there were a number of national experts on autism that spoke. In the weeks to come I thought I would share a number of impressions and ideas I discovered while I was there.

One of the speakers was Dr. Michael Siller of Hunter College, CUNY. He spoke about his research in the use of play for developing social reciprocity and language in children with autism. He talked about the importance of parents developing play routines with their children and providing that consistent opportunity to share, explore and communicate about the shared interaction. He even has parents schedule the time to play so that it is not set aside in our busy days. Many parents tell me that play is hard with their child because the child’s disability prevents them from providing a strong feedback loop as they play. A regularly scheduled routine to focus on just enjoying play would help to offset that feeling of why bother to play.

I have always taught families that the toy is the backdrop and the interaction is the important concept. Dr. Siller suggested having a special bag or box that in which you place special toys that you can share with your child at each playtime occasion. The bag or box becomes an anticipated signal of the fun that is to come. It was not surprising that he suggested to avoid toys with batteries or relying too much on cause and effect toys that might merely entertain the child and may take a more prominent place in the child’s attention than the interaction with you.

I was reminded that often with children with autism professionals and parents alike are so focused on ‘getting’ the child to say something or do something that aligns with therapeutic goals that we forgot to celebrate the fun of just playing and creating an environment that invites that rich sharing and removes demand.

I hope you will get in the floor and play with your child just for the fun of it for a brief time each day. Create a celebratory tone as you invite the child to join you and at first meet the child where they are and then gradually expand the play to new opportunities. Enjoy!

Janice

Hope is a belief that events will turn out for the best, that something currently unseen will become reality. Practicality describes processes that are adapted or designed for actual use, not resting only in the theoretical.   When first thinking about hope and practicality they seem to be in clear opposition of one another. But pause for a moment. When rethinking these two concepts they would be the perfect counter balance for one another. What value is hope if it resides only in the possible but not the likely or even the doable?  Furthermore, there is no value in practicality if it does not elevate its users to a new and more desirable place.  As we launch HANDLE WITH CARE, we want to invite you to join us as we explore ideas that will both encourage and equip. Our goal is to build up parents and set their sights on new places. Come along – you are welcome here.