Autism Hyperfocus is More Helpful Than You Think

The problem occurs more frequently when focused on what a youngster with autism isn't doing since they are so preoccupied. The most common example is forgetting to notice or reciprocate greetings when guests enter the room due to distraction. Others include a child too preoccupied with their favoured hobby to come down for dinner when summoned.

You could suppose that because this type of activity is frequent among neurotypical children, the simple remedy is to urge the child to stop firmly. However, as always, this technique ignores the fact that an autistic youngster will behave differently.

It would be ideal to have a better understanding of autism's hyperfocus. This does not indicate that a youngster should continue to behave adversely towards oneself. Instead, it refers to a more mild approach of diminishing their focus while increasing their advantages.

Here are some pointers that could be useful:

1. Make an effort to understand their preoccupation.

It may be something fantastic, like sketching, or tedious, like stacking canned goods. But try to see things through their eyes, whatever they focus on.

If they can still speak vocally, try talking to them about it and finding out what the activity they enjoy the most is about. Regardless of how strange anything appears, remain open-minded and pay attention.

Observe them while they are not speaking. You might find anything that explains why they enjoy doing something. It may affect their skin or emit a distinct odour or sound.

2. Improve the integration of senses.

Undoubtedly, every activity they are fixated on appears to be a tremendous feast for their senses and differently-wired brains. It also shows that those senses are not integrated.

Increasing that integration might be a gentle way to help a youngster regulate their attention. For example, in our Tomatis® training, we use highly filtered music to improve ear-brain contact. The process enhances their ability to recognise these changes and actively listen when others speak to them.

Of course, help for sensory integration can only be used once. Consider obtaining professional advice to address your child's autism-specific issues. Rather than simply repressing the sensations that excite them the most, devise techniques to improve the use of their other senses.

Visit today to discuss dysregulation & auditory processing disorder.