Child’s teenage years are the most trying and nightmarish for parents in their life. Puberty brings in drastic and sudden changes in these young adults and parents lose their hold on them totally. Puberty in an autistic child is no exception. Though it does not occur in the changes take place on the body leading to severe good or bad consequences based on the child’s reactions to the new hormonal levels.
The most shocking and scariest of side effects affecting the autistic child is seizures which he/she suffers from birth to adulthood. Even if the child is free during that period, the advent of puberty is a sure of the onset of seizures and many continue afterwards because of the levels of new hormones.
Violent shaking seizures that go a quarter of autistic children experience seizures that go undetected because they are not according to the textbook standards. You can try to help the child when you find seizure on it but the doctor can treat the child better. But, the pity is that you cannot detect the seizure when it is subconscious. The child too cannot recognize it. These small hidden seizures and in a devastating loss of function of the child is getting better before puberty. There must be regular check ups during puberty which is very important.
The consequent changes in the child after puberty need not be viewed as bad or unwanted. The changes in the body and the new hormonal levels may assist the child in developing and succeeding in fields in which he or he is not interested or had no skill. According to parents the children’s behavior had improved and their learning in social settings was not much difficult.
Parents, significantly, should monitor the changes in the child during puberty and after. They should keenly observe the child and ask the doctor many questions. Puberty is a very difficult experience for any young adult and more so for an autistic child. Understanding and patience should be the hallmark of the parent in looking after the teenager. He should ensure that the transition from child to adult is carried out as smoothly as possible.