Picking up on signs of Autism can be tricky, especially if you are unsure of what to look out for. It is important to recognise and identify a disorder like ASD, so that, with professional help, you can better understand and support your child in all aspects of their life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that impacts a child’s communication, social skills/interactions, behaviour and ability to learn and develop. Click here for more information.
Picking up on signs of Autism can be tricky, especially if you are unsure of what to look out for. It is important to recognise and identify a disorder like ASD, so that, with professional help, you can better understand and support your child in all aspects of their life. And with your support, they can participate in and enjoy life to the best of their ability.
Why is it called Autism ‘Spectrum’ Disorder?
Individuals with autism and learning difficulties struggle to learn in a traditional and structured environment. They may struggle with concentration, anxiety and interpreting social cues. Experiential activities can allow them to learn without being overwhelmed. It is playful learning! Here are other things experiential activities can offer:
- The experiences can be tailored to the individual’s interests (e.g., cooking, craft, construction).
- It promotes creativity.
- It is fun and engaging.
- It uses all the senses: touch, smell, sight, sound and taste. This allowsThe term ‘Spectrum’ refers to the fact that there is not one way in which ASD can manifest itself in a person. Rather, each person is different in the way that ASD impacts them and the skills that they develop.
There are levels that define the two impacted areas of social skills and restricted/repetitive behaviours (for example, lining up toys, or flapping their hands, or being interested in only one kind of toy). These levels range from 1 (requiring support) to 3 (requiring very substantial support), indicating the level of severity the child presents with. Click here for more information.
This is a conversation you can have with your paediatrician who is able to diagnose ASD and provide you with information to better understand exactly what your child is experiencing.
But this brings us to the next question…
What are the early signs of Autism ‘Spectrum’ Disorder?
Some characteristics in young children and toddlers that indicate they might have ASD include:
1. Little to no use of gestures to communicate something,
2. Limited ability to imitate actions with objects (e.g., imitate cutting with scissors, or mixing in a bowl),
3. Difficulty changing their facial expression to show different emotions,
4. Little interest in playing with toys (prefer people play like singing songs, or tickles),
5. Difficulty with joint attention (being able to shift their attention between you and the object you are both focusing on),
6. May not respond to their name at all or most times.
(Hanen Early Language Program, 2016).
Additionally, your child may display things like echolalia (repeating words or phrases), hand flapping (when they are excited or upset), running around in circles and jumping to show they are excited. Children with ASD often display delayed milestones of development for both speech and motor skills.
It’s a challenge.
It is never easy grasping the concept of ASD and understanding how it impacts a child’s life. But by taking the steps to support our children, we can help them get the most out of life!
What should you do if you are concerned?
- Speak to your GP.
- See a speech pathologist! We can assess your child’s communication and social skills, and recommend other professionals that would be suitable for your child’s needs (e.g., paediatrician, occupational therapist, psychologist)