Friendship with ASD

A child with ASD, like any other child, will thrive with loving, accepting, joyful play.  Neural connections develop as a result of life experiences. Children with autism experience a variety of physiological, sensory and other challenges that limit their ability to engage with others in typical ways. Because of this, they don’t have many of the social experiences that their typically developing peers have, and so have under-connected areas in their brains.  Social experiences are critical to early learning. The limited quality of social interactions contributes to learning challenges and the snow-ball effect of under-connectedness in the brain.

Neuro-plasiticity:- Can the brain change through-out lifespan? Yes. Even though some pathways mature, they are still able to change, and brain matter that is  weakly connected in people with autism can be strengthened.


Increasing Brain Connections

Current research shows that connections form in the brain throughout the lifespan. Since children with autism have nothing wrong with their brain matter, the areas of under-connectedness in the brain can be strengthened by interactions that are responsive to the child’s subtle communications and that cater to the child at his/her stage of development. Interactions that promote strong, joyful, enthusiastic engagement help develop greater interconnectivity.

Goal

Develop a relationship with the child based on an understanding of the child’s unique differences and motivations.   The child will have fun and so will you!