How can we help children with autism and what do they need?

Laughter, tears, silence, curiosity - peering into the world and the worldview of children is sometimes a real challenge. But it becomes far greater and more difficult when the symptoms of autism appear. A process that can take a long time, but the earlier the autistic disorder is identified, the more timely measures can be taken. This is because autistic children have very different and special needs from others. Moreover, no two children with this diagnosis are the same. However, they each have strengths and challenges, just as we each have our own unique way of moving, laughing, dancing. Some children with autism may excel in visual skills, music, math, or art, while others have significant challenges in language, speech, and social skills.

You can also read more helpful autism-related articles on our blog:

• When is autism triggered and what causes it?
• What are the main forms of autism and how to recognize them?

How autism affects a child's development

The truth is that it can affect development in many ways. For one, it significantly affects communication skills, social interactions, and cognitive abilities. Children with autism sometimes have difficulty understanding and expressing emotions, forming relationships with others, and making friends. They often need special help with learning and acquiring new knowledge. This is why early detection of autism is crucial, as well as finding adequate support and resources. Timely action allows for the implementation of personalized therapies that can improve basic skills in children such as those mentioned above - social interaction, communication and cognitive abilities. This can include speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavioral therapy. Through early diagnosis, a host of opportunities that would otherwise remain unavailable become available, giving children with autism the chance to reach their full potential and lead better lives.

If you notice early signs of autism, talk to your child's pediatrician. He or she can refer you to the right specialists - speech therapists, occupational therapists, play therapists and behavior therapists. The earlier you understand your child's strengths and challenges, you'll be able to create a treatment plan. It is crucial to create an appropriate environment both at home and at school because this has a great impact on helping social skills. This may include making a move or renovation at home, such as creating a quiet space, or moving to a special school or entering a mainstream one as a chaperone. All of these promote inclusion, acceptance and stable functioning for a child with autism.

With ASD, there are sometimes accompanying physical health problems. Restless sleep or gastrointestinal disorders are usually seen, so regular health checkups and careful monitoring of the child can help resolve these issues quickly. A healthy diet, regular physical activities, and restful sleep are important for the overall well-being of any child.

However, what are the psychological characteristics of children with autism

Detecting autism spectrum disorders in young children is sometimes difficult because there is no exact characteristic that reliably distinguishes these children from their other peers. Although children with autism exhibit behaviours that appear unusual, they may also occur in normally developing children with other conditions, but to a lesser extent. Accurate assessment therefore requires attention to the frequency, extent and duration of these behaviours and the extent to which they impair the child's social or educational development and skills. Studies show that children with ASD are at higher risk for at least one co-occurring mental health disorder. Most commonly these are behavioural problems, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, anxiety and depression. Age is also a factor that influences how mental illness presents in children, as emotional, behavioural and social difficulties can affect the timing of an autism diagnosis. Meanwhile, late diagnosed children often have such difficulties, and external factors such as failure to fit in, non-acceptance by others and lack of available support also contribute.

This is exactly why psychologists play a key role in the early detection of autism, recognising the signs of this type of disorder. By carefully observing a child's behavior, communication skills, and social interactions, they can identify potential symptoms. Psychologists consider a variety of factors and gather information from parents and caregivers to make an accurate diagnosis. Many recognize that the process is lengthy as a child's behavior and symptoms can change. Their role is important because they provide valuable support and guidance to parents in dealing with the challenges of raising a child with autism. They offer strategies, behavior management techniques, and resources available to promote development and overall well-being. At the same time, many work with schools to help create a more inclusive environment that enables children with autism to develop life skills, improve social interactions, and enhance emotional regulation abilities.

What children with autism need most

Once a child is diagnosed with autism, the process of understanding, acceptance and support begins. Support for children with autism comes in many forms, and parents are an integral part of this entire process. Their actions can significantly impact a child's progress, helping them to lead a fulfilling life despite the disorder. The most important advice that the American Psychiatric Association gives to them is to: gain a thorough understanding of autism spectrum disorders, maintain a solid routine and structure in the home, engage with other parents who have children with autism, consult with experts about specific concerns, but still make time for themselves and their loved ones.

When a family has a child with autism, it affects everyone. It often proves to be stressful, time consuming, and increases costs. Caring for the physical and emotional well-being of all family members is crucial. Parents and relatives should therefore also not be embarrassed to ask for help with their own physical and psychological needs, as parental stress levels are also linked to anxiety symptoms in children with autism.

Furthermore, as mentioned, with early detection and appropriate support from psychologists, parents and the community, children with autism can reach their full potential and lead meaningful lives. The journey can be difficult, but with the right support and information, parents can help their children overcome the obstacles that come with autism.

How to set up a charity campaign through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform or get involved with donations for children with autism

Having a specific cause is one of the main starting points to begin your personal charity campaign. In order to feel more confident, you can also involve someone from your family or close friends who will help you with both guidance and moral support. While there are various options for promoting and organizing a campaign, one of the best is using the capabilities of an online platform. In this case, you can fully trust PavelAndreev.ORG, thanks to which you will be able to promote not only autism as a huge problem in society, but also to raise more funds to help you or those you want to help.

Ask for help and start a campaign now or lend a hand and support a child in need

PavelAndreev.ORG will give you the foundation, but you have to build on it, starting with your personal story. The one that will inspire someone else to follow your example, because these types of stories often play a domino effect - all it takes is for one to pop up and "nudge" others to get an avalanche of sharing and empathy. But it's this type of platform that provides the necessary platform for this sort of thing because it allows you to reach many more people. And it means you can raise more funds too, because not everyone knows how much these special needs such as regular appointments with a therapist, social skills classes and special medical care and therapies can cost. Another benefit is that the PavelAndreev.ORG online platform allows you to manage your campaign and track all of the proceeds and results.

Even if your family is not affected by this problem, you can support a child with autism by making a donation. Just browse the fundraising campaigns on PavelAndreev.ORG and find the one you want to support. What's more, you can share with friends, post on social networks and engage more people who may want to get involved with donations. Because every child with autism is unique, and with the right amount of love, understanding they need and support for their family, we can all contribute to a better and more fulfilling life for people with autism.