A child with an ASD might: 

• 
Not play “pretend” games (e.g. pretend to “feed” 
a doll) 
• 
Not point at objects to show interest (point at an 
airplane flying over) 
• 
Not look at objects when another person points 
at them 
• 
Have trouble relating to others or not have an 
interest in other people at all 
• 
Avoid eye contact and want to be alone 
• 
Have trouble understanding other people’s 
feelings or talking about their own feelings 
• 
Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle 
only when they want to 
• 
Appear to be unaware when other people talk to 
them but respond to other sounds 
• 
Be very interested in people, but not know how to 
talk, play, or relate to them 
• 
Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, 
or repeat words or phrases in place of normal 
language (echolalia) 
• 
Have trouble expressing their needs using typical 
words or motions 
• 
Repeat actions over and over again 
• 
Have trouble adapting to a change in routine 
• 
Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, 
taste,look, feel, or sound 
• 
Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop 
saying words they were using) 
Things grandparents can do to help 

• 
Offer to help with household chores. 
• 
Doing an activity with the siblings that you might 
not do as a family (swimming, going to the 
cinema, having a long walk in the park, help with 
learning to ride a bike, etc). 
• 
Giving one to one time for attention and nurturing — 
read a story, getting help with homework, cooking 
together, etc. 
• 
Being available on the phone for chats about things 
that are concerning the sibling. 
• 
Listen when the child’s parents need to talk. 
• 
Support the decisions they are making, even if you 
don’t agree with all of them. 
• 
Show that you are interested in the special 
programs and therapies they have found for the 
child. 
• 
Learn about autism. A good place to start is the 
Kentucky’s Family Guide to Autism Spectrum 
Disorders. This comprehensive guide is available 
at www.louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining 
or you can contact the Kentucky Autism Training 
Center to receive a copy of the guide at (502) 8522467. 
For more information: 

Kentucky Autism Training Center 

College of Education and Human Development 
University of Louisville 
Louisville, KY 40292 


Office: 502-852-4631 Toll free: 800-334-8635 ext. 852-4631 
E-mail: katc@louisville.edu 

Website: www.louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/ 


This information was adapted from materials developed by the 
Autism Society of America, Alaska Autism Resource Center and the 
Indiana Resource Center for Autism. 


Grandparents 


and Autism Spectrum Disorders 



What is Autism? 

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a 
complex neurological disorder. ASD is called a 
spectrum disorder because it includes a wide 
range of abilities and differences. Scientists do 
not know yet exactly what causes this problem. 
ASDs can impact a person’s functioning at 
different levels, from very mild to severe. There 
is usually nothing about how a person with 
ASD that sets them apart from other people, 
but they may communicate, interact, behave, 
and learn in ways that are different from most 
people. The thinking and learning abilities of 
people with ASDs can vary — from gifted to 
severely challenged. Autistic disorder is the 
most commonly known type of ASD, but there 
are others, including “pervasive developmental 
disorder-not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS) 
and Asperger Syndrome. 

Diagnosing ASDs can be difficult since there is 
no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose 
the disorders. The assessment team looks at 

Grandparents 


and Autism Spectrum Disorder 

the child’s behavior and development to make a 
diagnosis. 

ASDs occur in all racial, ethnic, and 
socioeconomic groups, but are four times 
more likely to occur in boys than in girls. CDC 
estimates that between about 1 in 80 and 1 in 
240, with an average of 1 in 110, children in the 
United States have an ASD. 

More people than ever before are being 
diagnosed with an ASD. It is unclear exactly 
how much of this increase is due to a broader 
definition of ASDs and better efforts in 
diagnosis. 

Children with autism can make progress if they 
receive supports and interventions that are 
appropriate and consistent. 

Did You Know? 

Grandparents caring for grandchildren in 
their homes often qualify for tax credits 
(see tax advisor for more information). 

There may also be support groups and/or 
agencies in your community that can help. 

www.louisville.edu/education/ 
kyautismtraining/ 

Learn more about autism by reading 
the Kentucky’s Family Guide to Autism 
Spectrum Disorders. This comprehensive 
guide is available at www.louisville.edu/ 
education/kyautismtraining, or you 
can contact the Kentucky Autism Training 
Center to receive a copy of the guide at 

(502) 852-2467.