What can I be doing to help my autistic toddler

[LittlemissMama67]

My daughter has just turned 2 and is being assessed for autism. She’s not diagnosed yet but it’s fairly obvious to most. What sort of day to day things could I be doing because I always feel like I’m not doing enough to entertain her or make her happy.

Follow what your child’s interests are. Usually children with autism have specific areas of interest eg lining things up.
Does she respond to sensory stimulation? here are some sensory stimulation ideas. Try a dark room with fairy lights, lava lamp, there’s plenty of sensory videos on YouTube of you could play one on a screen, calm music. Or even water bottle, water, oil, food colouring /glitter & hot glue lid shut. Explore different textured materials. Explore different scents (old spice jars with something inside that has a strong but nice smell eg flowers, slices of lemon / lime / orange, cinnamon, warm bread, essential oils on a cotton wool ball). Explore sounds different objects make - wooden spoon to hit different sized pot and pans / jars (with caution obviously if they’re glass), baking tins etc.

does she talk / understand words? speak to her carefully and be consistent (i.e. always use the same word for the same thing). Look into learning a few signs in Makaton so you can use that with her. Makaton is a simple form of sign language and easy to learn. Play copying games together and tickling games if she likes tickling.