Caring for people with ASD during the coronavirus

If the changes brought on by COVID-19 is especially difficult for "normal" people, what more to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder? People with ASD can lead normal lives as long as there's routine, according to Dr. Curtis Cripe. With many of businesses and institutions caught in a standstill due to the pandemic, these routines that give these persons a degree of functioning have been compromised. Here's advice on how to help people with ASD during this time.

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In response to these times, you will need an emergency plan in case the primary caregiver or the person with ASD gets sick. A plan involves a list of contacts and resources. Make sure you attach pictures to this list aside from their numbers and color coding to appeal to someone with ASD.

After making sure you have an emergency plan, you will need to establish a new routine. The routine should share commonalities with their own normal routine while incorporating different sensory and behavioral activities. You should also establish cues about activity times so they can easily pivot and adjust. Your interventions should also involve the physical environment, like putting labels on things and making a space for certain types of activities, adds Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Of course, you should also seek resources and your community online as you push on with your developmental goals with your loved one who has ASD.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis currently working in a White House-NASA committee during the pandemic. His committee has been asked to spearhead long-term and on-going TeleHealth and TeleMedicine protocols and procedures that can be followed during the current and future Pandemics as well as TeleMedicine and TeleHealth even after the COVID-19 diminishes. Dr. Curtis Cripe is a brain development expert and a former engineer at NASA.

What to do after detecting autism in children

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can sometimes be difficult to spot at earlier stages. These include problems in language comprehension, delay in speaking, abnormal tone of voice, inappropriate social interaction, and poor eye contact. It may even take another person to suspect something. According to neuroengineering expert Dr. Curtis Cripe, parents should have their children tested for ASD if they suspect anything because catching it at an early stage can make a big difference.

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Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, parents should prepare. And, more importantly, they shouldn’t let the disorder intimidate them. They should find the time to learn all about ASD, what changes in their lifestyle are expected, and what can be done.

Also, some parents tend to blame themselves because of the genetic anomaly of ASD. Your child is still the same blessing you had since day one and nothing changes that fact. It’s not the end of the world and there are truly wonderful stories out there regarding people with ASD and the leaps and bounds they are able to make despite the situation.

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Lastly, some parents look at ASD as a life-threatening disease like cancer. However, it is a brain disorder, not a disease and many proven therapies can help. While it is indeed life-changing, Dr. Curtis Cripe believes that it doesn’t mean that your child should be treated anything other than a loved one growing up and discovering the world, just like any other kid.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis a multidisciplinary neuroengineer and aerospace engineer whose diverse work background includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. To know more about Dr. Cripe and his expertise, visit thiswebsite.

The different therapies for autism

Individuals with autism belong on a large spectrum. In fact, no two people with ASD are alike. It is also a well-known and universally-accepted fact that there is no cure for ASD. There are, however, different kinds of therapies that can vastly improve the quality of living of a person with autism. Here are some of them.

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Behavioral therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA helps a child with his everyday activities and how they relate to people. ABA also shows a child how to do things on their own at home, such as using the toilet, pouring water for themselves, and preparing their own meals. As such, ABA therapy is best done at home.

Speech therapy

Children on the spectrum often have trouble communicating. This is especially true for those classified as nonverbal or those with severe ASD. Speech therapy doesn’t necessarily teach these kids how to talk, but rather how to communicate via signs and signals. A popular method is having a set of pictures at home. Children point to the objects if they need or want to do something.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy or OT helps with the cognitive and physiological functions of a child. OT assists in fostering the brain and motor function coordination which kids with ASD have trouble with. This kind of therapy helps with the most basic movements such as climbing, walking, crawling, pointing, and others.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a background that includes the treatment of learning and neurodevelopmental disorders. He currently leads the Research and Development department of the NTL group. For more on Dr. Cripe and the NTL group, follow this Facebook page.