Hi Everyone! Newbi here needing Advice

[Karo]

Hello!
Looking for advice. Every since I was in the 5th grade, I’ve known I wanted to work with kids who are not neurotypical.
I was talked out of this by a family member when I was in college, so here I am at 58 possibly changing careers.
I’ve just started sitting with a 20 yr old male who is non verbal autistic. He lives with his mom, and a dog. The dog is a bit hyper so when I get there, I say, “hello X” and then I sit on the floor in the same room as him and play fetch with dog.
The last two times I’ve been there, at some point, he will walk over close to me and stand above and look down at me.
One time he squeezed my head. Im not sure what to do when this happens.
Any advice?
Im new to the non verbal autistic world.

P.S. Sorry for the long post

 

[tree]

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Welcome

Perhaps if we had some more information. When you suggest he is "non-verbal", how does he communicate? Does he use an iPad or something of that nature? Is he otherwise intelligent or is he "significantly delayed" and/or with other co-morbidities?

Most of us here on the forums will fall into the ASD-1, some on the ASD-2, and I don't think any on the ASD-3. I know there are some parents here that have ASD-3 children that may be able to shed some more light on your questions/concerns.

 

[Fino]

How did you get a job working with someone without being trained?

 

[Rodafina]

Hello and welcome to the site.

For starters, keep in mind that just because someone is nonverbal doesn’t mean you can’t speak to them. Why don’t you try chatting with this person? You don’t have to embrace traditional communication habits. Time to branch out.

Perhaps if you tell us more about yourself, as well as the situation you described we could be more helpful to you.

 

[Nitro]

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

The sense I get from what you wrote indicates you are on the right track.

Making yourself smaller (ie sitting on the floor) is nonthreatening. Doing an activity (playing with the dog) is good.

You could try changing to another floor activity, talking softly, but don’t ask questions, which puts pressure on the person. Let him come to you or back away as he prefers.

Sometimes just sitting together is enough.