Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a feature of a child's mental development that manifests itself in disorders in social interaction (with adults and other children), speech, and behavior. This condition is the result of impaired central nervous system functions, not a consequence of poor upbringing.
Autism can take many forms. Such a child may additionally have mental retardation or, on the contrary, normal intellectual abilities. It can be difficult for parents to track the development of ASD in a child, especially if it is the first child or the disease has mild symptoms. However, it is worth being vigilant and knowing the warning signs that indicate the need to see a doctor. After all, a timely and correct correctional program can help socialize a child, significantly improve his or her condition and quality of life.
The main symptoms of autism in children
Autism spectrum disorder is a collective term that includes various forms of mental developmental disorders. Usually, pronounced manifestations of childhood autism can be seen in the age range of 2-3 years, but the first signs of this condition appear even in the first year of a baby's life. Therefore, we will further analyze the main symptoms of ASD that parents should be aware of.
Disruption of social interaction
This is the most important sign characteristic of autism. Children with this diagnosis are self-focused, avoid contact with children on the playground and even parents, during play, walks, they seem to not notice the world around them and are prone to monotonous, repetitive actions.
Communication disorders
It is also a major manifestation of autistic disorder. Children start talking later, do not use gestures, may not understand the language addressed to them, and do not respond to it. Sometimes kids can start talking early, are able to memorize many words, but do not use them in communication. Instead of speaking, they often just take an adult's hand and point to an object that interests them.
Motor disorders
It is not a leading feature, but it can be present in children with autism and manifest itself in different ways. For example, a child may coordinate movements well when performing one action and be clumsy when performing another task.
Increased sensitivity and behavioral characteristics
Because of their hypersensitivity, children with autism have a hard time with changing environments; they need to gradually adapt to new conditions without sharp stimuli or a large number of them. Sensations that are common for a healthy person (the noise of household appliances, a bright light bulb, strong odors, the touch of clothes) can be perceived acutely by an autistic person and cause a loss of control. This reaction can occur to all or some external stimuli.
Harming your body
Due to reduced pain sensitivity or a desire to experience new sensations, a child may self-harm or injure themselves. This symptom is rare, but the damage can be significant.
Violation of the sense of danger
Usually, children with autism are characterized by increased anxiety and fear. However, in some cases, there may be a clear lack of self-preservation instinct. The child ignores safety rules - he or she may run out into the roadway, play with sharp objects, jump from a height, etc. Even after a negative experience, he or she does not draw appropriate conclusions and repeats his or her behavior.
If your child has no sense of danger, do not leave them unattended to minimize the risk of serious injury.
Sleep disorders
There may be difficulties with going to rest, it is difficult to put the child to sleep, he or she may wake up frequently, even every 1-2 hours. Often, they do not distinguish between day and night, so they are equally cheerful regardless of the time of day.
Sometimes seizures are observed in autism. With this diagnosis, the risk of developing epilepsy increases with age.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
The disorders may relate to the gastrointestinal tract. A child with autism may have a heightened sensitivity to the taste of food, choosing a very limited number of foods that they are willing to eat.
Diagnostics includes examining the child and observing his or her behavior, filling out questionnaires, talking to parents about behavior at home, and reactions to various stimuli. All this allows you to notice the signs of autism. There are no methods in the world today that allow to establish a diagnosis with 100% accuracy, but the use of an integrated approach to the examination allows us to get closer to this indicator.
The listed signs of autism are presented for your information so that as many conscious parents as possible know about them and seek help if necessary. The first point of contact may be a pediatrician, who will then refer the child to a neuropsychiatrist or psychiatrist.
Remember: autism is not the fault of parents or grandparents. It is a biological disorder that can be corrected with special methods.
