May 4, 2007, Newsletter Issue #38: Challenges in the Community

Tip of the Week

The community setting offers many opportunities for learning but it may bombard the autistic individual with many challenges as well. Understanding these challenges can help parents and therapists deal with some negative behaviors that can occur.

Sensory problems are a significant problem in the community setting. The individual with autism may feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed with all of the different sights and sounds. Consider a trip to a large retail store as an example.

There is a lot of noise in this community setting that many people block out but the individual with autism is unable to do this. He has to sort through a plethora of voices and beeps and rattles that may wreak havoc on his nerves.

The child is also bombarded with images, products, unfamiliar faces and bright lighting. An autistic child may not know what to process and what to ignore and is not sure what sights and sounds are relevant and what are not.

Waiting in line may be a painful experience because it seems to serve no purpose. The child may feel restrained and uncomfortable and very unwilling to wait. The frustration may be magnified by an inability to communicate or release the feelings.

Most community settings pose a great challenge because they are not structured. The child does not know what to expect and he does not know what is expected of him. In addition, all of the sensory input can be overwhelming.

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