AUTISM INFORMATION
Autism can dramatically affect a child's life,
as well as that of their families, schools, friends and the wider
community. This autism information is for everyone affected by these
disorders, whether directly or indirectly.
The first section provides autism information
for parents who think their child might have this disorder, or have
just obtained a diagnosis. The following sections provide autism
information on a range of issues, such as diagnosis, behavior, causes,
communication, education and social development.
INTRODUCTORY AUTISM INFORMATION
Introduction
to autism
Does
my child have autism? - common indicators
at different ages
Assessment and diagnosis of autism
My child's
been diagnosed with autism - what should I do now?
further AUTISM INFORMATION
Diagnosis
of autism
Long-term
outcome with autism
Adults with autism
Autism
as a spectrum disorder
Causes of autism
Characteristics
of autism
Communication
issues in autism
Autistic
politics & culture
Effects
of autism on education
The
sensory system and autism
Autism
on social development
History of autism
Autism in movies
& books
Repetitive
behaviors with autism
Incidence
of autism
Autistic savants
Interventions
for autism
AUTISM INFORMATION on comorbid disorders
ADHD
Tourette
syndrome
General
anxiety disorder
Obsessive
compulsive disorder
Bipolar
disorder
Dysgraphia
(writing difficulties)
Dyspraxia
(movement problems)
Dyslexia
(reading/writing issues)
Dyscalculia
(issues with numbers)
Oppositional
defiant disorder
Antisocial
personality disorder
INTRODUCTORY AUTISM INFORMATION
Both autism and Asperger's syndrome are developmental
disorders, in that they cause delays in typical development of a
child across a broad range of areas.
Signs of Asperger's syndrome and autism usually
will appear in the first three years of a child's life, although
there is no exact age for when signs of these disorders will emerge.
These signs may differ between children in type and severity as
well, so autism, Asperger's syndrome and similar disorders are often
seen as occurring on a spectrum.
These disorders are not intellectual disabilities
or mental illnesses, or caused by poor parenting skills. Currently
either Asperger's or autism can be diagnosed at birth through means
such as blood tests or brain scans. Diagnosis occurs as delays are
observed in the child's development.
Typical indicators of autism & Asperger's syndrome
These disorders will cause delays in a child's
early development, with possible indicators from these groups:
Social skills
Cannot carry out simple instructions
Does not maintain eye contact or smile back to
others
Appears happy in their own world, with little
interest in others
Delays to normal development of speech
Responding to some sounds, but not human voices
Behavior
Difficulty coping with changes to routines
Emotional outbursts with no apparent cause, or
overly passive
Overly attached to certain objects or topics
Repetitive behavior such as rocking or flapping
of the hands
The senses
Strong reaction to certain sounds
Will not look at objects directly
Eating a very restricted range of food types
Walking on tip toes
Drawn to watching certain patterns or feeling
certain textures.
Play and imagination
Will only play with certain toys, possibly in
unusual ways
Prefers not to play with others
Engages in only a limited range of play
Does not engage in pretend play.
COULD MY CHILD HAVE AUTISM?
All children will have both delays and sudden
progress in their development. It is normal to be worried or concerned
over lack of progress or unusual behaviors, and happily these are
resolved eventually. However, parents are in an ideal situation
to watch for potential signs of autism, Asperger's syndrome, and
other developmental issues in their child.
Autism and Asperger's syndrome are developmental
disorders and minimizing these developmental delays is very important
for a child's long-term outcome. For this reason, early diagnosis
and intervention are stressed.
INFORMATION ON Typical indicators of autism
These disorders will cause delays in a child's
early development, with possible indicators in:
• Social skills
• The senses - hearing, taste, touch, sight, smell
• Play and imagination
• Behavior.
It should be stressed that a diagnosis of autism
or Asperger's syndrome arises from a wide range of these indicators
appearing to be a consistent theme in a child's development.
possible signs of autism in THE FIRST YEAR
There are certain milestones of development that
the average child reaches within the first year of development.
Some of these include:
• Standing with support by parents
• Crawling around
• Saying single words
• Waving goodbye and other simple gestures.
Not reaching these milestones does not indicate
your child has symptoms of autism or Asperger's syndrome, as many
children may be late developers and catch up at a later point. However
it pays to look out for possible early symptoms as early intervention therapies can make a big difference if a diagnosis is reached in
the years ahead. Children are usually not diagnosed until the second
year at least but there are moves toward making earlier diagnoses
to allow earlier intervention therapies.
Toward the end of the first year, the child may
not appear to react normally to certain objects and activities.
They may have an extreme reaction, or none at all. They may begin
to show the first signs of repetitive behaviors such as rocking,
or fixating on objects with their eyes. A lack of eye contact with
other people is very common at later stages but often does not show
in the first year.
possible signs of autism in THE second YEAR
• A lack of interest in other children and people
• Lack of eye contact
• Not pointing at objects that are wanted
• Not using sentences of two words by two years of age
• Losing words or language skills that were already acquired
• Repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping or rocking
• Does not look at objects you are pointing to
• Does not play pretend games
• Walking on tip toes.
possible signs of autism from TWO TO FIVE YEARS
• A lack of interest in other children and people
• Lack of eye contact
• Not pointing at objects that are wanted
• Lack of, or strange reaction to the distress of other children
• Obsessed with certain objects, toys and games
• Focus on order, routine and arrangement of objects
• Distress when these orders, routines or arrangements are disturbed
• Repetitive movements such as rocking, hand flapping, or spinning
around
• Sensitivity to loud sounds that don't disturb other children
• Sensitivity to touch ie. disliking hugs or fabrics of certain
clothes
• Sensitivity to smell and taste.
signs of Asperger's syndrome in Pre-teenage years
In some cases, a child may be at the milder end
of the autism spectrum and developmental delays may only become
obvious in the pre-teen years. Some signs of Asperger's syndrome
could include:
• Lack of eye contact
• Few if any close friends
• Does not share or take turns
• Lack of communication skills, or unusual ways of talking
• Little use of non-verbal communication and gestures
• Repetitive phrases and focus on limited range of topics
• Does not show empathy toward others
• Difficulties with the 'give and take' of conversation
• Unusual gestures made when excited or distressed.
Teenage years - signs of Asperger's syndrome
In mild cases of Asperger's syndrome, developmental
delays may only become evident in the teenage years. Some signs
of mild Asperger's syndrome could include:
• Lack of eye contact
• Apparent lack of emotion
• Difficulty in establishing close friendships
• Literal thinking and trouble with sarcasm, irony and subtle
humor
• Tendency toward obsessive and compulsive behaviors
• Inappropriate comments or behavior in social situations
• Difficulties in understanding the views, emotions and needs
of others.
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