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 Published
January 24th, 2011
Autism is a complex brain or neurodevelopmental disorder
that affects many aspects of child development, including
how a child talks, plays, and interacts. Although the causes
of autism are not yet fully understood, experts agree that
the earlier autistic children receive treatment for their
symptoms, the better. Early intervention makes a huge
difference in the outcome of the disorder, so as a parent,
it's important to know autism’s warning signs and seek
immediate help if you spot them in your child.
There are a number of early signs in children that suggest
to parents the need to seek professional advice and a
possible assessment for autism. These early flags for
parents may be categorised into a number of key
developmental areas that reflects the established autistic
deficits. Both receptive and expressive language skills are
delayed and disordered in children with autism.
A child with autism:
·
May not respond to his/her name when called at 12
months of age
·
Presents with a language delay with no functional
speech by 24 months or a loss of words after
·
12months
·
Appears to have hearing loss or selective hearing
where child responds only to certain sounds such as TV
advertisements or the fridge door but ignores the human
voice.
·
Does not use spontaneous (natural impulse)
phrases to communicate by 12 months
·
Has no babbling by 12 months
·
Child is not pointing to indicate needs or wants
and no waiting to indicate social interaction by 12 months
·
Child is unable to follow simple directions or
instructions
The SOCIAL RELATING SKILLS of children with autism are
delayed and disordered.
A child with autism:
·
May show a lack of awareness of other children
·
Avoids contact with other children
·
Does not smile socially or look directly at
another person
·
Appears to tune-out or switch-off from other
people
·
Tries to become independent to avoid social
contact with others
·
Does not share objects or information with
another person
A number of BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS are also usually present
in children with autism.
A child with autism:
·
Has a number of unusual preoccupations and
attachments
·
May appear over-active and uncooperative
·
Use tantrum behaviour to communicate
·
Has very limited and repetitive play behaviour
·
May line up or spin objects
·
Has very little attention span
·
Has a preference for TV or videos
·
Has difficulty coping with changes to normal
routine
Most children with autism have some form of SENSORY
IMPAIRMENT.
A child with autism:
·
May walk on tiptoe
·
May have unusual sensory reactions or
preoccupations
·
May be afraid of certain sounds
·
Will only wear certain clothing
·
May have a very limited diet and refuse to try
new foods
·
May be unable to touch certain textures without
gaggling
·
Uses peripheral vision to look at objects
Children with autism have IMPAIRED IMAGINATION, which is
reflected in the way they play.
A child with autism:
·
Prefers to watch TV or play alone rather than
play interactively
·
Will not share toys
·
Will not take turns in play
·
Has limited interest in playing with a range of
toys
·
May carry around one or two objects
·
Does not engage in pretend play activities
·
Tends to wander aimlessly rather than engage in
play activities
The above indicators are examples of autistic-like
behaviours. All children will engage in some of these
behaviours at different times. It is only when a child
engages in a number of these behaviours persistently and
over a period of time that the alarm bells may sound and
further investigation is warranted.
Even though autism may be diagnosed at any time, it is an
early onset disorder and the symptoms are present, even if
not readily observable, before the age of three. Some of the
early indicators such as lack of eye contact to initiate
joint attention, emotionally distant behaviour or dislike of
affection, failure to alert to mother's voice, lack of
imitation or social reciprocity, inability to settle, lack
of functional use of non-verbal communication, and
preoccupation with certain objects or movements, may be
observed within the first 12 months of life.
Screening for autism is also recommended if a sibling or
other family member has a diagnosis within the autism
spectrum. Unfortunately, it is not usually until after a
child has been diagnosed that parents, in hindsight,
recognise that there were early signs of the disability, but
personally I prefer to call it a CONDITION rather than a
DISABILITY.
Remember, LEARN THE SIGNS...ACT EARLY. Early intervention is
the key.
Olumayowa Kushimo
Clinical Behavioural Specialist Psychologist
National Health Service (NHS)
London, UK
Email -
olumayowa.kushimo@yahoo.co.uk
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