According to statistics, the number of disabled children in Russia has grown by 9,2% over the past five years. Almost 190 thousand children aged 0-14 are registered with various mental and behavioral disorders, and another 440 thousand receive counseling and treatment assistance. And behind these figures are hundreds of thousands of children and their families.
State structures created to help children with developmental disabilities and special needs cannot change the most important thing – the attitude of society towards these children. That is why the project “Social integration of children with autism” was launched two years ago in Yaroslavl, the main goal of which is to help children with autism and their families to find potential in every child.
Also, a lot of work is being done with the professional communities of doctors and teachers. Lectures, seminars, master classes are held. Issues of early diagnosis, and one can suspect autism and start working with a child as early as 1,5 years old, is called upon to solve the “Pay attention: autism” project.
The “School of Correctional Education” was opened for parents, where they receive advice on all social and domestic issues and psychological assistance.
In April of this year, the action “A special child in public places” was launched. In parks and shopping malls, a leaflet was distributed with information on how to behave for ordinary people in critical situations related to special children. After all, children diagnosed with autism, mental retardation or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder do not outwardly differ from ordinary children. However, visiting a shopping center or circus, taking a bus or taxi can be a real challenge for them.
Be aware of the following situations:
The baby is screaming or crying
If you see that mom is in control of the situation, then just be patient and do not pay attention to what is happening. Your intervention can make the situation worse.
The child screams, walks on the floor and injures himself
The mom may need your help to calm her baby down. Perhaps she has a younger child or shopping bags in her arms. Just walk up and calmly offer your help.
The child makes strange sounds and performs strange actions
This behavior is common in children with autism and helps them focus and cope with their own anxiety. This behavior does not pose a threat to others, nothing terrible happens, just do not focus on it.