http://www.birchtreecenter.org/

Do you have a question for The Birchtree Center's staff about strategies for families living with autism?

Please submit your question to our webmaster.  Every few months, we'll choose a popular question to answer on this site.

I have no idea how to manage vacation weeks with my child with autism. It is difficult enough to schedule two days over the weekend, but then it feels completely overwhelming when it is a much longer break such as a week-long vacation. Any suggestions?

Great question at this time of year – or any time of year! Overwhelmed is probably an accurate word to describe your feelings associated with your child being out of school.  BUT, with preparation and planning, this experience can become something that feels more encouraging. Keep in mind that you most likely put preparation and thought into even short errands or brief visits with relatives, so understandably a week-long vacation will take much more effort. That effort will be well worth your while and will increase the likelihood of a positive experience for yourself, your child and other family members. These tips apply to both vacation weeks at home as well as your going away someplace.

I have stopped going to restaurants with my child. He doesn’t eat what’s on the menu. He doesn’t sit at the table and usually causes a scene. What can I do to make going out to dinner a family event? 

Restaurants require children with autism to negotiate a variety of visual, auditory, and olfactory information. Selecting appropriate food choices, waiting for food to be delivered, and maintaining appropriate behavior at the table pose significant challenges to a successful visit. Successful restaurant visits depend on selecting appropriate goals. Your goals for your first restaurant visit will differ from your long-term goals. Start with small goals (with which your child is likely to be successful) and work towards more difficult goals. For example, you may start visiting restaurants to have a single appetizer in the afternoon and then work toward a full meal during dinner time.

Help! I have no idea what to buy as a gift for my child with autism. Often, I have searched for and found what I consider to be the perfect (or at least an adequate) gift, only to discover that my child has no interest in the gift. Any suggestions?

This is a great question – and a common question. Parents of children with autism frequently encounter the challenge of finding birthday and/or holiday gifts which will actually be used.  As a starting point, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.  First, the age listings on packages are only recommended guidelines – and these guidelines are rarely an accurate match for children with autism. You not only need to keep in mind the developmental level of the child but also the common interests of the child. For example, a 10-year-old child with autism might be extremely interested in Sesame Street toys – toys that are typically at the recommended age for toddlers and preschoolers.