What should I do as a babysitter for Autistic children?

Question

I will be starting work this summer at a center for children with special needs. Most of the children are moderately to severly autistic. I have been reading up on autism and there is a lot of great information for parents about raising a child with autism, not so much for a babysitter, or in my case, a counselor. What do parents expect of me?

Most important of all, what can I do to make the most out of the few hours I will be spending with these children?

Answer 1

I am not a specialist.
I have expirience with kids diagnosed with PDD-NOS (there is a difference between one and the other form of autism)

Most important -
Be consistent (yes is yes, no is no)
Be honest
Be patient
Take them serious.
No matter what 'problem' kids have - somehow they KNOW if you don`t take them serious.

And, the most important of all - have fun with them. Share in their games.

Answer 2

Be firm (let them know you mean business when they need to do something, like wash their hands)

I found it helped if the kid is doing some activity to say, OK, in 5 minutes, it's time to finish that and do XYZ. That advanced notice can help prevent meltdowns.

Work with them! Don't think that they can't do something. A major pet peeve of mine when I worked with a 13 y.o. is that he couldn't tie his shoes because all his parents ever got him were flip flops and slip ons.

Answer 3

My 10 year old son is autistic.

The best advice I can give you is to spend some time with one or more autistics in a setting where you can do your own learning. Just watch and interact with them. They will teach you way more than any book or video can ever do.

Answer 4

Routines help.

Even if they do something funny and you expect them to do something else......show them you are being serious.