Is my Child Autistic- Knowing What to Do

There is no parent in the world who wants to believe there is something wrong with their precious bundle. But, as far as autism is concerned, catching it early can make a huge difference in the long run, especially if it is diagnosed when your child is eighteen months or less. Nonetheless, no matter what your child’s age is, it doesn’t mean that you should lose hope. With the help of treatment, the effects of the disorder can be reduced and your child will also be able to learn, thrive and grow. Before we move ahead, you first need to understand exactly what autism is.

Autism refers to a spectrum of some closely related disorders that share a horde of symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically occurs in early childhood or infancy and can cause delays in a number of basic areas of development such as learning to play, talk or interact with others. Just like its effects, the signs and symptoms of autism may also vary for every child. Some children have to overcome big obstacles while some may only have mild impairments. However, every autistic child has problems in the following three areas to some degree:

• Behaving and thinking flexibly
  
• Communicating verbally and non-verbally
  
• Relating to people and the world around them
  

Experts, doctors, and parents have different opinions about what causes autism and the best way it can be treated. But, there is one fact that is agreed upon by everyone; early and intensive treatment and intervention can make a difference. As a matter of fact, it can make all the difference for children who are at risk or those who are showing early signs.

How Parents Can Help

Parents are perhaps in the best position to spot the earliest warning signs of this disorder. No one knows their child better than a parent and you can observe quirks and behaviors that may not be obvious to a pediatrician during the fifteen-minute checkups that are usually performed. Yes, the pediatrician can be a useful partner, but the most important observations and experience is that of the parents as you are living with the child. The best thing here is to educate yourself so you know what to look for. Some of the steps you can take are:

Keep track of your child’s development

There are a number of developmental delays that are involved in autism. Therefore, you can keep track of when your child is achieving the key emotional, social and cognitive milestones as this can be an effective way of highlighting the problem early on. Even though developmental delays may not automatically indicate autism, they show that your child might be at risk.

Take action if you feel concerned

Remember that every child develops at their own pace and there is no need to panic if your child takes a bit longer to walk or talk. But, if your child is not achieving any milestones they should by their age or you suspect a problem, consult a doctor immediately.

Don’t go for a wait-and-see approach

A lot of parents are told to wait and just see how their child progresses. However, this can be the worst thing to do if your child really is autistic because you lose valuable time at an age when there is a great chance of improvement. Not every child can ‘grow out of’ their problem. If you suspect your child is autistic, you can take a 5-minute autism test online to see if they fit the profile.

Always trust your instincts as a parent and if the test shows a high probability, find an expert to get a proper diagnosis.

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Created on Jun 12th 2018 00:25. Viewed 532 times.

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