# ＊Stability -Let’s appreciate doing the same as usual in order to maintain stability.

（１）Value “things as usual" as highly as possible.

Continue your regular habits as much as possible.If that is difficult, create new habits, and follow them.

（２）Visualize the daily schedule.

In drawing up the schedule, respect your child's will.

（３）Be aware of the need for balance between “I want to do” and “ I must do”or “I am alone” and “I am with others such as family or friends.”

Prevent overconcentration on one particular activity.

Use a timer to let your child know the time for another activity.It will be useful to change the place or to change the daily rhythm.

（４）Give your child opportunities to make their own choices.

Give each a sense of control.

（５）Make a short term goal for your child to acquire an outlook.

＊When anxious, a child tends to revert to infantile behavior and feel more irritated than usual, but these reactions are only temporarily.

It is important to trust that once a child is assured of the 3Ss, Safety, Security, and Stability, he/she will be able to overcome the tough challenges.

＊Let’s accept children even if they can’t get 50 points out of 100.

＊Respect the child’s will so that he/she can be active and responsible.

＊ If you want to remind him/her of what he/she couldn't accomplish, be specific about his/her behaviors and tell what you want him/her to do next.

Don't criticize him/her just for his/her behaviors.

＊5 tips for communication with a child on the autism spectrum.

1.Visualization (check or concretely place it where it can be seen)

2.Advanced notice (notify the child in advance that changes will occur)

3.Concretization (ambiguous adjectives and abstract expressions should be made concrete and changed to visible expressions linked to behavior)

4.Affirmation (replace expressions like “Don't do it” or “It’s not OK,” with expressions like “Let's do it this way…”)

5.Simplification (tell the child one thing at a time)

April 3rd, 2020

(Asami Maekawa: Clinical Psychologist, Certified Psychologist, Tokyo Woman's Christian University)

Translation & Production: Assistive Technology Development Organization (ATDO)

Cooperation:Science Accessibility Net (sAccessNet)