Less Dependent, Part 1
Why do some individuals with autism need a great deal of assistance with basic care? Whey is it that some people with autism who are very capable in other areas need ongoing supervision and support just to take care of daily living tasks?
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LEARNED DEPENDENCE. Sometimes we inadvertently jump in and take care of the details of daily living, so our friend with autism never learns to take care of their personal needs, or never learns the self-responsibility necessary for relatively independent living.
MOTIVATION. Some individuals with autism are rather oblivious to events and people around them, so they do not recognize the need for learning self-help skills or for being more independent. Others may not be self-starters, so they need guidance with every step.
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. Yet other people with autism have deficits in motor skills, receptive language, or cognition – deficits that stand in the way of their comprehending instructions or of physically being able to complete a task.
SENSORY ISSUES. Extraordinary reactions to certain sounds, tastes, textures, smells, or other sensory input can keep a person from being able to, for example, go shopping or shower or shave.
TRANSITION. Difficulty in dealing with transition from one activity to another can stand in the way of a person becoming more self-reliant. Another common characteristic of autism, intolerance for change in routine, can also keep a person from being able to move through the day without a great deal of encouragement and supervision.
SEQUENCING. A relatively simple task can seem overwhelming to a person with autism who has difficulty discerning, remembering, and following the sequence of steps needed to complete that task.
Tune in to part 2 of this discussion about increasing independence to learn how to best approach this task of teaching a person to be less dependent.
And don’t forget to click on our website, http://FAQautism.com for information about our FAQautism.com Toolkits – resources designed for parents, family members, teachers, therapists, and others interested in maximizing the potential of their friends with autism.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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