What you need to know
- Young children who have AS learn to respond to personal cues and interactions. They can be very intuitive.
- Interest in people allows children to express a broad range of feelings and form close bonds and real friendships with others.
- They can be part of family and class activities, household chores, and daily living skills.
- They may like recreation, music, and physical activity.
- All young children who have AS have a degree of hyperactivity.
- The constant movement may cause accidental bruises and cuts.
- Grabbing, pinching, and biting in older children may happen and can be related to this extra movement.
- Behavioral supports may be helpful in limiting the less desirable behaviors that are socially disruptive and self-injurious.
- Some behaviors may be suggestive of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, social engagement is often quite good, and Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a common diagnosis in children with Angelman syndrome. Some of these behaviors may include:
- Stereotypic behaviors such as lining up toys, love of spinning
- Stereotypic motor movements (rocking, hand flapping)
- Repetitive behaviors and play with unusual objects
- Sensory interests (lick/mouth/sniff objects)
- Rituals (hoarding food or objects, food fads)
- Food related behaviors
- Eating non-food items
- Apparent increased appetite
- Increased interest in food which may lead to obesity
What you can do
- Make sure teaching strategies being used are appropriate for children who are already socially engaged.
- Discuss involvement of behavioral or mental health professionals, or medications with the parents as needed.
- Firm directions, rules, and clear expectations are helpful.
This is especially true when handling unplanned changes.
- Talk through expected changes.
- They usually thrive with consistency and routine. They can be easily upset with disruption.
- Prepare for any change in schedule.
- Provide a safe area to share emotions.
- Teach and model use of words and/or pictures in sharing emotions.
- Teach, emphasize, and reinforce behaviors you want to see.
- Make sure they have an effective communication system.
- Provide information to and discuss differences with the child’s peers.
- Help develop confidence and focus on strengths.
- Provide positive reinforcement.
- Teach appropriate social behaviors/skills (e.g., how to ask a friend to play).
- Teach how to recognize facial expressions, body language, and moods in others.
- Teach how to regulate own body – sensory strategies may be helpful.
Consider:
- Restricted access to food in all areas
- Locks on the refrigerator
- Constant supervision
- Calorie restriction
- Consistent and scheduled meals and snacks
- Programs that help teach behavioral and weight management strategies