Tried Everything But No Response Yet? Discover How To Connect With Autistic Child
Table of Contents:
Tried Everything But No Response Yet From Your Autistic Child? Discover How to Connect.
Mirroring: A Powerful Connection Strategy
Even though you've been working with your autistic child for 5 to 6 months, they still have a tendency to lose interest and get lost in their own world. This guide will help you understand how to improve their responsiveness and social engagement in autism.
Mirroring: A Powerful Connection Strategy
Let's explore a behavioral strategy called mirroring, explained through a real-life scenario.
The main idea is to mimic everything your child does. This technique aligns with principles often used in behavioral therapies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which emphasize the power of imitation to build social and communication skills.
Assume that when you awaken in the morning, your child is not even looking at you and is lying down with their head resting on a cushion. The first thing you should do is go lie down in the exact same position beside them.
If they then see you lying there, get up, sit on the sofa, and grab a toy, you follow them to the sofa and pick up a toy yourself. If you notice them making random sounds with their mouth, start making the same sounds. Then, if they begin running around, you do the same.
If you consistently imitate their actions—whether it's their stimming, vocalizations, or movements—you'll observe them starting to observe you. This imitation technique builds their confidence and joint attention. If you can copy their actions, they'll begin to understand that they can copy yours too.
Over time, they'll start observing your actions more closely and eventually begin to perform the same actions, enhancing their social engagement and reciprocal communication.
Playful Interaction:
You can add a lighthearted twist to further promote interaction after you have established some fundamental mirroring.
If your child is seated on the couch, for instance, keep a safe distance away and place two fingers just above your nose. Then, make a silly noise, such as "Tan tana tan tan tan tan... tan tana tannnn..."
Slowly approach your child and tickle them gently while making the sound and moving your fingers up and down.
This strategy has instant advantages: it attracts their attention, aids in making and maintaining eye contact, and frequently elicits a positive reaction, which deepens your bond.
Important Considerations:
While these strategies can be very effective, remember that every child is unique. These techniques are powerful tools but not a guaranteed fix for every situation.
Always consider consulting with a developmental pediatrician, behavioral therapist, or other qualified professionals for personalized guidance and to integrate these strategies into a comprehensive support plan for your child.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Q1: My autistic child still seems disconnected despite my months of trying to connect with them. Can I do anything?
To establish a bond, try "mirroring"—that is, copying your child's behavior.
Q2: How do I go about "mirroring" and what does it mean?
Mirroring involves imitating all of your child's behaviors, including their toy selections, sounds, and movements.
Q3: How can mirroring improve my child's social skills?
It builds trust, helps them understand imitation, and encourages them to observe and eventually reciprocate your actions.
Q4: How can I make our interactions more lighthearted once I've established some mirroring?
To promote participation, introduce playful gestures like a soft tickle and a "funny" sound.
Q5: What are the immediate benefits of playful interaction like the "funny" approach?
It grabs their attention, encourages eye contact, and often leads to happy responses, strengthening your bond.
