Supporting Children with Autism in Child Care and at Home

This resource guide includes books, videos, organizations, articles and other resources related to Autism.

This article explains that children with autism have differences in the way their brains develop and process information. This can cause language delays and behavior problems. Symptoms and severity vary from child to child. New research can help diagnose and begin treatment for an autism disorder in a child at an early age.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities that are caused by an abnormality in the brain. Children with ASDs tend to have problems with social and communication skills. They also are likely to repeat certain behaviors and resist change in their daily activities. ASDs begin during childhood and last throughout a person’s life. This online source discusses symptoms, prevalence, treatment, and additional resources.

This article includes early signs of ASDs, definitions of the different types, diagnosis methods, and strategies to help a child with an ASD.

Challenging behavior will vary according to the severity of a person’s autism and their age, however there are core issues that affect most people with an autism spectrum disorder. In this resource, aggression, self-injury, social and communication problems, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and other topics are addressed.

The purpose of this toolkit is to present ways for early childcare providers to better manage challenging behaviors in a childcare setting.

This online book includes chapters on problem behaviors and instructional strategies for children with autism.

This initiative offers families ways to manage common challenges, to simplify everyday activities, and to grow connections and support from family, friends, and community.

This NAEYC Teaching Young Children article focuses on how implementing visual supports in an early childhood classroom can help a young child with autism, and other children, understand expectations, routines, and reduce frustration.