Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often develop special interests in certain objects, topics or activities. When appropriate, embrace and encourage these interests. By doing so, you can help reduce their anxiety, increase social interactions, strengthen language development, and build problem solving skills.
Children with ASD sometimes have difficulty adjusting to changes. Setting simple, consistent routines can help a child feel comfortable and better prepared. Using visual schedules is one way to help children see and understand the sequence of upcoming events. Timers can also be a way to show how much time remains for an activity and can lead to smoother transitions.