Archive for March, 2012

Autism is a neurological disorder of the brain which develops in infancy and endured till adulthood which is a matter of concern among all disorders. It causes impairment in behavior of the child resulting in poor communicative and social interactive skills. Though autistic people do not look different from normal people their body language and behavior make them distinct in a crowd.

The signs of autism are usually spotted in the early years of a child and become obvious by three years of age. All autistic children are unique in their behavior and traits. The learning also differs from one child to another. Some autistic people have high functioning while some have very low functions. The high functioning autistic people have good IQ and can excel in math, music and arts. But the low functioning people are the unfortunate as they cannot live on their own and always need the help of an caregiver or escort.

Autistic people have behavioral problem due to insensitivity and are often unhappy. They maintain routine for themselves and never accept any changes in it. They also have repetitive behavior like rocking of the body. They do not have a well coordinated life style. They do not respond impulsively as they find it difficult to adapt to new environments.

The following indications and symptoms determine autism in a child according to The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

1. Lack of definite skills, lack of compassion, inability to handle the suffering.

2. Indifferent to people and so cannot relate to them. All behavior of autistic people relate only to themselves.

3. No eye contact, poor social interactions and so stays aloof.

4. They are not aware of others emotions and do not communicate their feelings.

5. Lack of response when addressed by name and poor attention towards other people.

6. Struggle to convey their requirements.

7. They repeat words in a conversation and have unclear speech.

8. Strange response to sounds, smells and taste.

9. Impairment of the skills they once had.

Parenting is one of the most demanding jobs on earth yet very gratifying. On the other hand bringing up an autistic child is demanding but when you look after them with love like you do to an ordinary child the result is rewarding.

The parents are dejected and scared when they detect that their child is autistic. To get over this feeling you may have go for a counseling yourself. You will try to learn more about autism and their treatments to cope up with the child and its needs and behavior problems.

Consult your pediatrician first who can guide you to the right therapist. Contact the rehabilitation centre in your area and the parents who visit it with autistic children who can give you more information about autism and its needs.

Take the help of a qualified therapist to choose the right program for your child. Make sure the program suits your child according to his/her skill level.
The parents should provide a safe and relaxed environment at home for the autistic child. For example if your child has the habit of creeping out of the house you may need to fix security locks for the doors but one such which can be easily operated during emergency. Fence the courtyard where you child plays for its safety.

Autistic children very sensitive to touch find it very difficult to bath. Such children when made to use sprinklers or spray guns in the lawn will have fun and their touch with water becomes easier which in turn helps you have a daily bath with fun.

Keep your autistic child engaged both indoors and outdoors. Treat them the way like any other member is treated. Take them along when you go for dinner. Prefer a family type eatery so that even if your child does not behave well it does not matter much. When indoors give the child variety of colors and different type of textures which can keep them preoccupied. Later such programs are of great help later when you child may have to interact socially.

Finally it is the love you give your child helps the child to respond better than any other activity. Even if they do not like to be touched talking can do a great deal. Some autistic children do not respond when you speak to them but it does not matter, they will surely understand the language of love even if they are autistic.

When a child is born the parents wish that their child should have good health with a positive future and a happy life. But when they find that their child does not act normal like the other children and give proper response even by three of old they are alarmed and start wondering if their child is autistic.

Autism is a common household name you would have heard but it is not an infectious ailment. It is a brain disorder caused by chemical imbalances which results in affecting the communication and social skills of the child

It is very important to keep a regular check on the childs behavior as signs and indications surface in the early stages of a child. Baby boys are more prone to this disorder and 1 out of every 700 people is autistic.

How to identify autism?

A child between 18 months to 3 years shows signs and symptoms of autism

The following behavior problems in a child indicate autism in the child and a professional help at the earliest is good.

Eye contact When the child fails to have eye contact when communicating.

Stays aloof The child not play with other kids and always stays aloof avoiding groups.

Creativity When the child is not imaginative or creative with games and toys.

Communication Problem with uttering some words or has to be repeated again and again.

Duplication When the child have repetitive behavior for no reason.

Alteration Does the child respond normally to any changed routine or action?

Autism in infants

Infants lacking eye contact instead gaze at motored things.

Babies who lie calm without crying for a long time should be taken into consideration for their abnormal behavior.

When the kids stay aloof and do not play or communicate with other babies.
The cause of autism is still a mystery and the parents need not blame themselves for it. Similarly there is no permanent solution and treratment to this problem.

The best the parent can do for an autistic child is to rehabilitate the behavior skills with the help of a professional therapist. It is best of send the child to a special school where the principal and the teacher are informed about the childs autistic condition. Last but not the least love the child like any other normal child and make her/him feel at home as he/she is a special child.