How to discipline autistic children in school

The reason for children behaving differently, with an attitude of revulsion to general life, is mostly due to genetics. On general survey taken by a private observation, it is concluded that this is due to some abnormal activity in the woman during her pregnancy. The behaviour, right from the beginning is different particularly not responding to certain shouts, cries or loud talking.

Disciplining them may be tough. But if the child is made to understand love, kindness sweet behavior, there may be a reciprocal action. This is possible but with a monumental patience. The parent, teacher or a day Care attendant should try to understand the problem and no amount of harsh words, threats will work. The child should be treated with pure love. Love is like magnet, Love begets love. The child understands only this and nothing else. Love has a simulative effect.

Begin with a smile, a sweet beckoning smile and there may occur a positive change in the behaviour of the child. The child may respond positively to music, soft musical instrument or devotional songs. The child may feel soothing effect while listening to a chanting of a mantra or slow recitation of a poem, even nursery rhymes.

The child may cultivate love if rewarded for something encouraging in his attitude towards life. If he likes something that he loves to eat, it will do good if we help him eat with a smile, giving a hug. The child must be made to feel that his company is very desirable. There must be a feeling of delight in his expression if we make an approach. It is better to keep certain things that he doesn't like to see. Such things may irritate the person. If kept under day care, constant attendance may be needed to see that the old habits might not return.

Spanking the child may produce adverse effects. The child may rebel or turn violent. This is never a method to discipline a child that is handicapped. There may be remedies that are being experimented. But from experience, such children can be disciplined not by regimentation, or spanking and repeating it to make them understand that there will be punishment, they just may behave artificially. Their brains begin to function normally only with doses of sweet love not at by punishment.

Such children shouldn't be treated like prisoners, confining them to rooms when they go astray. They should become a part of the social set up and in that direction they should be trained, with love. This may sound unconventional but very practical. But tremendous patience is needed.