Article: Your child may have a hard time understanding how the world works around him or her. Maintaining consistency helps your child to find routines, rituals (such as tooth brushing at a certain time or after a given event like eating), a concept of order in what is otherwise perceived as chaos. It will help both your child and you to write down a specific schedule of the day and then to follow it when possible. An example of a beginning routine (schedule*) outlined below Wake up. Use bathroom. Wash hands. Wash face. Come downstairs Get in chair. Eat breakfast. Put plate in sink when done eating. Watch X educational, child oriented TV program. Cleaning a room is necessary. Changing the order of items on the bureau is not. Change increases anxiety and fear that the order of things is falling apart. When changes are necessary, involve your child in the process so it is not a complete surprise. If you move furniture, for example, try to engage your child in the process, or at least allow them to observe and be aware of the changes. Explaining the reason for the change will help them understand why this is happening and make it less scary. When changes occur in things like clothing or food, trying to find similar items will be less frightening for your child. Some autistic people cannot handle rough textures, and best tolerate untreated/soft cotton. Exchange (or add) cotton for or to cotton items. Keep colors in the same family. Children are often overwhelmed by fluorescent lighting, as it strobes. Non-autistic people often cannot see this, but many autistic people can. If you see that your child looks distressed or that the lights are flickering, ask if the lights are being bothersome. Autistic children are most often sensitive to noise. Noises that neurotypicals can filter out can be confusing or even painful to an autistic person. Buffer 'rebound' noise, or loud sounds in general by putting tapestries on walls, using soft fabrics on furniture that has some texture, adding room dividing decorative elements etc. Be careful about competing sounds. The television will get turned up if people are speaking, which will cause people to speak louder and so forth. The more competing sounds, the more likely your child is to hear a loud mush of unintelligible sound only and become overwhelmed. If your child starts becoming overwhelmed, they will naturally seek out what they need: peace. Try creating a quiet enclave where they can retreat when needed. Don't let siblings and other family members bother your child when they need quiet. This could lead to an outburst. If they were in the middle of something, such as eating or doing homework, let them come back to it once they are calmer. Or, they may be able to do it in the quiet location, such as a teenager eating in her bedroom. Autistic children are often very curious about their environments. This can include the dangerous parts. Interest in things that may be dangerous must be monitored, such as a fish tank with glass and electric components to heat or aerate the water. Set boundaries and explain why the boundary is set. For example, "It is not okay to play with the power outlets, because you could get hurt." If your child isn't likely to be cautious, it may be better to move fish tanks out of reach. Offer to explore the fishtank or heater together, explaining it as best as you can. This allows you to monitor your child's safety while sating your child's curiosity. If age-appropriate, show your child the wonders of the internet and all its diagrams. Also check the library for picture books with diagrams.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Maintain consistency. Avoid making unnecessary changes, especially in what your child perceives as their domain. Use natural or full spectrum lighting whenever possible. Consider noises in the environment. Let them retreat to a quiet area when they want to. Ensure safety around your home.
Article: Your prosthetist will start you out with a temporary prosthetic limb until your residual limb has stabilized in size and shape. Your temporary prosthesis will have a simpler design than a permanent prosthetic limb. However, you'll put it on and take it off in the same way you'll take off and put on your permanent prosthesis. In some cases, people use 2-3 different temporary prostheses before they are fitted for a permanent one. The prosthetist will walk you through the use of your prosthetic limb so you can see how to put the limb on and how it is secured. In most cases, you'll be introduced to your prosthetist shortly before the surgery to amputate your limb. The prosthetist will walk you through the process and describe the prosthesis you'll be using post-surgery. It will take time for your body to get used to wearing a prosthesis. For the first 2 days, wear the temporary limb for only 120 minutes total, and make sure that you're standing and walking for at least 30 of those minutes. After the third day, increase your time wearing the temporary prosthesis by 1 hour per day. Make sure to also increase the time you spend walking by 15 minutes per day. When walking in a prosthetic leg, try to balance your body weight evenly between your natural limb and the prosthetic limb. Even the slightest changes in your weight can affect how your prosthetic limb fits. If you notice any blood coming out of the base of your stump after walking in the prosthesis, take the prosthesis off for the rest of the day. Being too active early on can irritate your skin and make you sore. Follow the schedule given to you by your prosthetist so you don't hurt yourself. Elastic shrinker socks are similar to compression socks: they keep pressure on the residual limb and help keep the stump small. While you're using a temporary prosthesis, wear shrinker socks between 1418 hours a day to keep the limb healthy. As the limb shrinks, you may need to double up the socks to ensure the prosthesis fits correctly. Your doctor or prosthetist will give you shrinker socks when they give you your temporary and real prostheses. You can always purchase more at a medical supply store. If you were to stop wearing the shrinker sock daily, the limb could swell with blood and other fluids and would become too large to fit in the prosthesis. Permanent prostheses are custom-made and will differ based on what part of the body the prosthesis is designed to cover, as well as the size and shape of your residual limb. The amount of activity that you do and the goals that you set will also help your doctor determine what kind of prosthesis is right for you. Describe your lifestyle to the prosthetist and ask them what kind of prosthesis would suit you best. The length of the residual limb plays a major role in determining how large your permanent prosthesis. For example, a leg amputated just below the hip would need a much larger prosthesis than a leg amputated 8 inches (20cm) above the ankle. Always check with your prosthetist before you change the height of your heel since it can cause issues with your prosthesis.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Meet with your prosthetist to receive a temporary prosthesis. Increase the amount of time you spend wearing your prosthesis. Use a shrinker sock daily to keep your residual limb healthy. Work with your prosthetist to order the customized prosthetic limb.