It’s Important to Listen!

Children with autism often have a difficult time attending to the words given by other people. They can be distracted by other noises in the room which makes it difficult for them to follow the instructions given by another person. Parents or caregivers who are giving listener instructions may have to compete with the inner thoughts of the child.

Children on the spectrum are taught listening skills in ABA based upon the VB-MAPP created by Mark Sundberg. Children can acquire listening skills based upon their atypical developing peers. We teach basic skills and then can move to more complex skills. Simple task of touching an item or finding an item to more complex of three step directives. When giving a directive to a child always be sure to connect the act with the demand, follow through with prompting the child with the correct response.

Teaching listening skills opens doors for the child with autism, such as being able to attend in school, attend to peers, and engage in conversation as active listeners. Listening skills are important in communication and in relationships. Teaching active listening skills to your child will help to benefit them in the long run and help them to be more successful in social and communication areas.

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If the child in the spectrum is the oldest child siblings tend to feel more neglected that those that are older than the sibling with autism. It seems that if the sibling is high functioning, the feelings of neglect are lessened, but either scenario brings lack of attention to the younger child. Siblings and autism do not function well together if a younger child is affected either. The older sibling normally is asked to mature and take on responsibilities beyond their age. Becoming a care taker of a child with special needs is not a normal sibling function, so resentment will be forthcoming.

Many children in two parent families who have a sibling with autism feel closer to one parent and show hostility towards the parent who seems to cater to the autism. However, in single parent homes, the child who is not afflicted tends to be more protective of both the parent and the sibling. Each scenario is different of course, but siblings and autism is always a more one sided situation than a traditional sibling situation. There will be missed ball games and functions for the child who is not autistic just because of the needs of the sibling. Family functions can never be the same once autism is introduced, so siblings feel hurt.

Some siblings embrace the fact that they are not a child of special needs and many find careers that cater to helping people with special needs. But on the other hand, some lash out and are resentful of never having a sibling to tell secrets to or being able feel the sibling bond. Unfortunately, the scene of how autism and siblings will play out is as difficult to predict as the autism itself.

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