5 Ways To Support Sensory Learning In Your Autistic Toddler

Dealing with autistic children can be a tough task. Sensory deprivation is a common developmental issue that affects autistic toddlers. It can lead to problems with social skills, communication, and learning.  

To help autistic toddlers learn in more effective ways, you need to understand how sensory learning works so you can help them handle their feelings and emotions even better. Here are five ways to support sensory learning in your autistic toddler.

1. Use Stable Cues and Simulations in Teaching 

Considering that language is a form of sensory learning, it is important to use stable cues to support sensory learning. Stable cues help children develop a deeper understanding of how their senses can process information and learn through the manipulation of oral language.  

Also, simulations are very effective when teaching autistic children because they allow them to practice skills on their own at home with minimal training. 

If an autistic child is not responsive to verbal commands during play, you can encourage them to participate using a simulation by using one word instead like this: "Go" instead of "Come". Then, the child will understand that he should go towards the destination instead of coming towards your direction.

2. Use Sound to Teach Reading 

For autistic children who have difficulty with body-based reading, auditory learning may be helpful for them. An interactive auditory approach teaches autistic toddlers to develop reading skills by providing them with visual and auditory information simultaneously. For example, a toddler can approach the book and see the words while listening to a speech prompt.

3. Reinforce Learning with Praise and Rewards 

When helping your autistic child learn how to read, a parent may find it difficult to find the right balance between being too strict and too lenient. Thus, they need to understand that while consistency is key, so is being flexible and understanding the child's level of learning.  

You can do several things when teaching them how to read. For instance, you can praise them constantly for his efforts or even make a reward system.

4. Make Learning Fun 

When learning to read is not an option for autistic kids, it is important to find ways how you can teach them on other materials or non-text forms of communication. This will help them understand the power of communication and confidence in themselves as readers. You can use board games such as Scrabble or Monopoly, where each player has a turn to speak and needs to make appropriate responses for the game to continue. 

Most parents also enroll their children in Action Behavior Centers so they can learn and interact with other kids and learning systems. You only have to get the one that works best for your child.

5. Use Visual Support 

In addition to teaching an autistic child how to read, you should also use visual aids to teach them how letters are formed. You can provide them with a poster labeled "letter press," which shows how two letters are combined to form a new word. This will be extremely helpful in helping a child develop the concept that words consist of letter strings and that learning involves reading such strings.

Conclusion 

There are many techniques to support sensory learning for your autistic child. Try out these techniques whether they are new or you have already been using them for a while. If they don't work, try something else until you find ideas that work for your child.