May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. On a personal note, I don’t have a child with autism, but this topic holds a most special place for me because two of my own children are adopted from the foster care system. Addressing this topic represents the intersection of my professional and personal heart. Here in North Carolina, there are approximately 12,000 children in foster care. Of those children, a growing number are identified with autism. Some research suggests that children with autism are at greater risk for foster care placement than children without autism or than children with other developmental disabilities (Cidav, Zie, & Mandell, 2018).
Children in foster care and post-adoption situations understandably experience sadness, uncertainty, anger, and fear, even if they are in very happy and loving homes. For some, this ebbs and flows, and very strong feelings may arise when they (and we) least expect it. Many are also dealing with the direct and indirect effects of trauma.
These effects come in many forms, some of which are not so easily recognized as stemming from traumatic life experiences. It may be more difficult for mental health professionals to assess and identify trauma among autistic individuals who may have significant social communication and coping challenges.
Some children with autism in foster care might struggle to convey emotions to others (through language or other symbolic forms of communication), to ask questions, and to get the affirmation they need to feel more secure and calm. It may also be more difficult for some with autism to understand the why behind their situation—why did I have to leave my home and move in with another family; when will I get to see my biological family; or why was I adopted?
…it is essential for caregivers to establish safe, calm, and caring environments that are generally predictable and well-structured.
For children with autism in foster care and post-adoption contexts, it is essential for caregivers to establish safe, calm, and caring environments that are generally predictable and well-structured. It is important to empower the child with ways to safely express their wants, needs, frustrations, and fears. The child requires many authentic opportunities to assert their choices and preferences. The child needs to be proactively taught calming and coping strategies that work for them. Building self-advocacy in all its forms is a central focus. Of course, this is also very true for autistic children in these (and all) contexts. Addressing these fundamental needs and goals requires that we find the particular starting points and strategies that are most responsive to the individual’s autism core features and their lived experiences.
Looking through the right lens
It is also critical that we look at challenging behavior through the right lens. In the midst of meltdowns and tense moments, here are just a few guidelines:
- It is not personal, even if it feels that way.
- Avoid characterizing behaviors in overly simplistic terms (e.g., they are just trying to get attention). Avoid using subjective terms (e.g., they are trying to manipulate me; they want to get under my skin; they are defiant).
- Consider both the immediate events that may have triggered the behavior and consider the underlying factors and history that play a critical role.
- Ask questions that lead you in the direction of helpful strategies:
- What is the child communicating in this moment and through this pattern of behavior?
- What is the unmet need, fear, or confusion that this behavior(s) expresses?
- What skills do we need to teach so that they can better communicate, self-advocate, and/or cope next time?
- What strategies and accommodations do we need to apply proactively and consistently to support this child’s needs?
- Be the calm in the storm. Try to avoid emotionally reacting to the behavior itself. In this moment, the individual is struggling to cope, they may need us to help them regulate, and they need us to be steady.
- Validate their feelings using rationed language and non-verbal signals that they will understand.
- Be present for them but give physical space as needed and when safe to do so; and give them time, without placing any demands, and without too many instructions/questions.
The Autism Society of North Carolina is here to help.
Of course, these guidelines are just the tip of the iceberg. We receive inquiries from professionals and families in need of resources and strategies to support this population. The Autism Society of North Carolina is here to help:
- Social narratives on foster and adoption topics: We have developed examples of social narratives addressing such topics as moving in with a foster family, adoption, and biological parents. Of course, it is critical to note that these social narratives are very likely to require modification to address the individual’s level of understanding and their particular situation. Click here for the social narratives.
- Webinar: Supporting Individuals with Autism in Foster and Post-Adoption Contexts. The recording is available in our library.
- We also offer in-depth workshops and coaching to professional groups (e.g., school systems, provider agencies) that are tailored to the group’s particular needs. To learn more, contact clinical@autismsociety-nc.org.
- Telehealth consultation: Our Clinical Department offers a telehealth-based Short-Term Clinical Consultation service, provided in any county in North Carolina. This service is funded by Medicaid and various private health insurances and other sources. To learn more, contact clinical@autismsociety-nc.org.
- Are you a foster or adoptive parent to a child with autism in need of help accessing services in your local community, understanding the IEP and 504 plan processes, planning for the future, and more? Connect with one of our Autism Resource Specialists to receive parent-to-parent support.
Resources
Below are just a few of the many resources available on adoption and trauma:
- Children’s Advocacy Center of North Carolina (CACNC): Provides advocacy by bringing the professional to the child, aiming to reduce the need for children and their families to navigate complex systems and services via many different portals.
- Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina: A nonprofit organization started by current foster parents who know what it is like navigating the system. In order to prevent parental burnout and turnover, they help families obtain access to vital information and resources.
- The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.): A national leader in mental health services for foster care and the adoption community.
- Bessel van der Kolk: One of many leaders in research on and treatment of trauma, offering a range of resources including publications, podcasts, and more.
- Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina: This website provides information about the effects of trauma, neglect, and resiliency. It also offers tools to recognize physical and child sexual abuse and much more.
Tags: adoption, autism, autism asperger parenting tips, autism behavior, clinical department, foster care, foster children with autism, social narratives