How to Teach Autism Acceptance to Children

A child with Autism may act differently than other children, and other children sometimes don’t know how to react. It’s important to teach autism awareness and acceptance to children who don’t have autism.

Brothers and sisters, as well as friends and classmates, of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may need help understanding the behavior of a child with autism. The first step to teaching other children to understand and accept autism is educating others about autism.

Here are some tips for teaching other children about Autism Acceptance:

1. Use language that children understand.

2. Explain that their body and brain may work a little differently.

3. Teach that the child with autism is different and not less than other children.

4. Review how the child with autism may not understand their behavior or may have a harder time with managing their own behavior.

5. Remember that children with Autism have a very wide variety of abilities and they may range from not speaking to extremely intelligent. Sometimes, they have combinations of skills that one might not expect, like lower language abilities but higher mathematical abilities.

6. Note that not all children with Autism are good at math, or good at art, or have a special ability, but all children with Autism have wonderful traits that we can focus on. Everyone has their strengths.

7. Focus on what children with ASD can do and not what they can’t do.

8. Teach children that it is ok to ask questions to the right person at the right time – asking questions can provide answers and answers lead to understanding.

9. Teach children to accept the differences, and not to be judgmental. Understanding another person’s perspective helps with being less judgmental of their behavior.

10. Using your own cartoons, stories, or drawings can also help children to understand.

11. During ABA therapy, a brother, sister, or friend, can also be included in the ABA therapy sessions to help them learn about how to respond to inappropriate behaviors.

12. Teach patience and kindness in general.

Teaching others to accept and have Autism Acceptance will help the child to be more successful in their environment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding ABA therapy, please contact Acuity Behavior Solutions at (714) 696-2862. Acuity Behavior Solutions treats patients in Anaheim, Orange, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Fullerton, Placentia, and Garden Grove, as well as many other cities.