What is autism?
Autism is a ‚spectrum disorder,‛ which means a child’s symptoms can present in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Autism can make it difficult for a child to communicate and interact with others. It can also cause a child to perform repetitive activities and movements, become upset at changes in daily routine, and have unusual responses to certain situations.
In some children, signs of autism can be seen as early as 12 months.
Babies that do not babble or point by age one could be showing early signs of autism.
Other children may develop normal language and social skills for a time but then begin to regress as autism presents. This is called ‚regressive autism.‛ Some people believe childhood vaccines cause older children to develop autism, but this is not proven, and vaccinations should not be avoided.
Children with autism may be sensitive to touch, certain smells, loud noises, temperature extremes, and
even certain colours.
Over-stimulation may cause a child with autism to become upset and have a ‚meltdown.‛ The child
maybe difficult to soothe and calm down.
The reasons autism occurs are not understood, and researchers are looking for answers, as well as ways to prevent the disorder. Boys are more likely than girls to have autism.
Early diagnosis is key in helping a child reach important milestones. Your child’s doctor should first screen for autism between the ages of 18 and 24 months.
Early intervention — such as behavioural and speech therapy — can help improve a child’s learning skills and increase communication. A child with autism can be very successful in school.
Many parents find help in dealing with the stresses of autism through involvement in a local family support group.
Three important facts about autism:
- Autism can affect any child. As many as one in 110 children has autism, and there are many theories behind the cause but no exact answer.
- There is no known cause of autism. Many theories exist about how or why a child develops autism, but no one really knows for sure. Some people believe that withholding childhood vaccines can prevent autism. This is no medically proven and can result in your child contracting a rare and dangerous illness.
- There is no cure for autism. However, research has shown that with early intervention and continued therapies, a child with autism can lead an independent, productive, and happy life. (Always talk to your child’s doctor or an autism expert before starting a new therapy.)
Ways to help your child:
- Begin early intervention. Starting therapies at an early age is proven to help children with autism increase their skills. These interventions may include speech, behavioural, occupational, and even music therapy and focus on helping a child learn to properly interact with people and surroundings.
- Talk to your child during routine activities. Engage and interact whenever possible, both during playtime and in everyday situations.
- Create opportunities for your child to interact with you and others. For example, store favourite toys out of reach, so your child must come to you and ask for them.
- Encourage your child to try new things, and celebrate even small accomplishments. Use rewards to motivate your child to be independent, try harder skills, and self-correct behaviour.
