Problems With Verbal Autistic Children
Some of the autistic children are verbal and can speak fluently. But they cannot establish any communication with others by their speaking capability. They just talk like a parrot. They cannot involve in any conversation with other persons. They do not understand the tone of others voice, facial expressions, and gestures. They do not understand the feelings of the others.
The Physical Characteristics Of Autism
According to Mangal in the book âEducating Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education,â the physical characteristics of children with autism, at first glance, are such that they do not show any outward manifestation of the condition. The author writes that autistic children do not exhibit any unique outward, physical characteristics and deviation from their non-autistic peers. While behavioral characteristic and deviations are more pronounced in autistic children, they do not typically show any physical characteristics indicating autism.
According to Thomas L. Whitman in the book âThe Development of Autism- A Self-Regulatory Perspective,â it is not uncommon to describe autistic children as being exceptionally beautiful.
Some autistic children, however, may display minor anomalies in their physical form and characteristics.
They Have Fewer Hidden Agendas
Most of the time, if a person on the autism spectrum tells you what he wants he is telling you what he wants. No need to beat around the bush, second guess, and hope you’re reading between the lines.
This may be due, in part, to the fact that many autistic people are unaware of or baffled by others’ choice to hide their real intentions.
Read Also: What Kind Of Autism Does Symmetra Have
Let The Child Know What Will Happen Next
For example, After you finish the puzzle, it is time to brush your teeth, or In five minutes it is time to turn off the computer and start your writing assignment. For some children it is helpful to set a timer so the child can keep track of how much time is left. So in the example above In five minutes it is time to turn off the computer and start your writing assignment you would set the timer for five minutes. Some children need reminders as the time is winding down to 2 minutes, 1 minute, etc.
For children who have trouble understanding the;concept of time or numbers, a visual timer can be helpful because the child can see how much time is left.
Visual timers can be purchased on or other online stores. Here are some examples below that you can click on to see prices and reviews.
With a red clock visual timer, children can see time running out as the red disappears.
Sand timers let children know that time is up when the sand at the top gets to the bottom.
You can even get a free visual timer app on your IPhone, IPAD, or Android device. Just do a search for visual timer in your app store.
See; 3 Ways to Use Timers to Encourage Homework and Chore Completion for more information on how to implement timers for children with and without autism.
You would need to get the paper laminated and purchase Velcro to make this kind of chart .
Early Signs Of Autism
Early symptoms of autism;in babies or toddlers often go unrecognized by parents or caregivers. One of the most important things you can do for your child after birth is to learn the;early signs of autism. Recognizing the ;first signs of autism;can lead to an earlier diagnosis and early intervention for children with autism. Research suggests that early intervention leads to the best outcomes for children with autism and a better quality of life. Get familiar with typical developmental milestones your child should be reaching as he or she grows. Use the list below to understand if your child may be showing the first;signs of autism.
- Offers no warm or joyful expressions by 6 months old or after
- Doesnt exchange smiles, sounds and other facial expressions with others by 9 months
- Is not babbling by 12 months
- Doesnt use nonverbal gestures for showing, pointing, waving or reaching by 12 months
- Speaks no words by 16 months
- Doesnt form meaningful, two-word phrases by 24 months
- Loses babbling, speech or social skills at any age
You May Like: Life Expectancy With Autism
Identify Characteristics Of Autism In Your Child
The major characteristics of autism are behavior problems, communication problems, social interaction problems and sensory sensitivity problems. These characteristics of autism prevail in the children as a spectrum which includes a wide range of disorders. As such it is called autism spectrum disorders . The characteristics of autism and the severity of the autistic individuals vary widely across these four core areas.
The peculiarity of ASD is that the sign and symptoms of these disorders in one individual does not match with others. No two autistic individuals have identical characteristics of autism.
If youve met one individual with autism, youve met one individual with autism.Dr. Stephen M. Shore
There are different types of developmental disorders like Attention Deficit Disorder , Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Autism Spectrum Disorders , Bipolar Disorders, Seizure Disorders, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome and so on. Autism is a kind of developmental disorders among them.
At the early life, an autistic child faces a delay in different developmental milestone and gradually starts showing different characteristics of autism as s/he grows up. Similarly, my autistic son Mahi was delayed in different developmental milestones in his childhood and subsequently different characteristics of autism prevailed in him in course of time.
Terminology And Distinction From Schizophrenia
As late as the mid-1970s there was little evidence of a genetic role in autism; while in 2007 it was believed to be one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions. Although the rise of parent organizations and the destigmatization of childhood ASD have affected how ASD is viewed, parents continue to feel social stigma in situations where their child’s autistic behavior is perceived negatively, and many primary care physicians and medical specialists express some beliefs consistent with outdated autism research.
It took until 1980 for the DSM-III to differentiate autism from childhood schizophrenia. In 1987, the DSM-III-R provided a checklist for diagnosing autism. In May 2013, the DSM-5 was released, updating the classification for pervasive developmental disorders. The grouping of disorders, including PDD-NOS, autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, and CDD, has been removed and replaced with the general term of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The two categories that exist are impaired social communication and/or interaction, and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors.
The Internet has helped autistic individuals bypass nonverbal cues and emotional sharing that they find difficult to deal with, and has given them a way to form online communities and work remotely.Societal and cultural aspects of autism have developed: some in the community seek a cure, while others believe that autism is simply another way of being.
Read Also: Autism Life Expectancy
Clinical Research: Facial Features Can Help Diagnose Autism
by Jessica Wright;/;1 August 2012
Topics:
Physical flags: Children with autism are more likely to have unusual facial features, such as prominent foreheads, than are controls.
The presence of any of three abnormal physical features an asymmetrical face, tufts of hair growing in the wrong direction or a prominent forehead can help diagnose autism, according to a study published 6 June in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders1.
Individuals with autism often have a number of unusual physical characteristics, called dysmorphologies, such as wide-set eyes or broad foreheads. Dysmorphic features may mark a subgroup of individuals who have autism with a distinct underlying genetic cause.
A more precise picture of the pattern of dysmorphic features in autism could provide the basis for a screening tool for the disorder.
In a 2011 study, researchers compared the physical features of 224 children with autism with 224 controls matched in pairs by age and gender. They found 48 features, such as deeply set eyes, expressionless faces and thin upper lips, that are more common in children with autism than in controls.
In the new study, the same team reanalyzed these data to determine whether a subset of these features can help predict whether a child has autism. On average, children with autism have 1.3 major abnormalities, 10.6 minor ones and 8.3 common variations, whereas controls have 0.3, 5.7 and 3.2 respectively.
Autism In The Classroom
WebMD talks to parents, therapists, and educators for advice on how to help children with autism thrive in the classroom.
When your child has an autism spectrum disorder , for example Asperger’s syndrome, school can be difficult. Autism in the classroom is something thatâs hard for teachers, parents, and the child with the ASD to deal with.
âMy school just doesnât get it,â one parent who didnât want to be identified told WebMD.
Another said âMy child is developing behavioral problems. Thatâs because he canât communicate well at school.â
Some parents say that sometimes private schools wonât take a child with ASD. The reason they give is that they arenât equipped to deal with autism in the classroom. The few schools that do take kids with autism, according to one parent, cost a fortune. And, they add thay those few schools accept only a handful of children.
Whatâs the best way to help your child with an ASD learn? And how do traditional schools adapt to help children with autism do well in a classroom so they can grow and thrive?
WebMD asked for advice from parents and educators and therapists who work with children who have an ASD. They drew on their own experience to offer tips on how to help children with autism thrive in the classroom.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Life Expectancy Of People With Autism
What Are The Signs Of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Signs of ASD range from mild to severely disabling, and every person is different. The following signs are considered to be red flags that indicate your young child may be at risk for autism. If your child shows any of the following signs, please get in touch with your childs healthcare provider to discuss a referral for an autism evaluation.
The signs include the following:
- Your child doesnt respond to their name being called at all or responds inconsistently.
- Your child doesnt smile widely or make warm, joyful expressions by the age of 6 months.
- Your child doesnt engage in smiling, making sounds and making faces with you or other people by the age of 9 months.
- Your child doesnt babble by 12 months.
- No back-and-forth gestures such as showing, pointing, reaching or waving by 12 months.
- No words by 16 months.
- No meaningful, two-word phrases by 24 months.
- Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age.
Learn The Signs Act Early
Families: During COVID-19 you can still schedule appointments for well-child visits, developmental screening, and immunizations. Continue to monitor your child’s development between visits.
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your childs development and act early if you have a concern.
This new poster from CDC and Vroom shares the importance of tracking your childs development and using brain building tips to add learning to everyday moments. Click here to download and print English pdf iconSpanish pdf icon!
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
- Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
- You will be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy when you follow the link.
- CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance on other federal or private website.
Don’t Miss: Creating A Visual Schedule Autism
Physiological Features Of Children With Autism
This brain development disorder first manifests during infancy and thereafter follows a steady course. With timely intervention, the remission can be reduced to take on a more muted form. The basic triad of symptoms includes impairments in general communication and social interaction and highly-repetitive behavior. Other physical characteristics include the following.
- Atypical eating habits.
- Social deficits such as lack of intuition and the inability to understand communication.
- Limited or no attention to social stimuli.
- Lower response to name or eye contact.
- Lack of social understanding and nonverbal communication.
- Difficulty in mixing with other children.
- Show of aggression, destruction, and tantrums.
- Language impairment.
- Unusual gestures and vocal patterns.
- Learning difficulties
- Limited focus and interest in any activity.
- Instances of self-injury.
- Poor motor planning and muscle tone.
- Sleep problems like insomnia and nocturnal awakenings.
As much as autistic children manifest abnormal behavior patterns, they are also credited with unusual abilities. Many are known to be able to effectively memorize trivia and have been hyped as prodigious savants. Some of them also display characteristics such as the following.
- Superior perception and attention skills.
- Unusual response to stimuli of sensory nature.
Autism And Your Environment
Sometimes, when a situation is too much to cope with due to sensory input , or being asked to do things that cause stress or distress, an autistic person can become overwhelmed.
Meltdowns and shutdowns
When an autistic person becomes overwhelmed and isnt able to use or benefit from their coping strategies, they might have meltdowns or shutdowns.
Its important, for parents of autistic children in particular, to be aware that a meltdown isnt a tantrum. A tantrum is something that a child can control, and tantrums often happen because a child wants something. A meltdown or shutdown isnt something an autistic person can control, and its caused by being overwhelmed.
During a meltdown, an autistic person might try to make themselves feel less overwhelmed. This can include doing things like:
- trying to get away from people for example by running away or hiding
- trying to get people away from them for example by shouting, screaming, hitting, or acting aggressively;
During a shutdown, an autistic person might try to block everything out for example by not responding to anything or anyone around them.
Challenging behaviour
Like everyone else, autistic people can display challenging behaviour if theyre in the wrong environment. While it can be challenging for the people around them, this behaviour is often a result of distress or frustration, particularly if an autistic person has difficulty with communicating.
Also Check: What Kind Of Autism Does Symmetra Have
Getting Evaluated For Autism Spectrum Disorder
Parent interview In the first phase of the diagnostic evaluation, you will give your doctor background information about your childs medical, developmental, and behavioral history. If you have been keeping a journal or taking notes on anything thats concerned you, share that information. The doctor will also want to know about your familys medical and mental health history.
Medical exam The medical evaluation includes a general physical, a neurological exam, lab tests, and genetic testing. Your child will undergo this full screening to determine the cause of their developmental problems and to identify any co-existing conditions.
Hearing test Since hearing problems can result in social and language delays, they need to be excluded before an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be diagnosed. Your child will undergo a formal audiological assessment where they are tested for any hearing impairments, as well as any other hearing issues or sound sensitivities that sometimes co-occur with autism.
Observation Developmental specialists will observe your child in a variety of settings to look for unusual behavior associated with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. They may watch your child playing or interacting with other people.
Lead screening Because lead poisoning can cause autistic-like symptoms, the National Center for Environmental Health recommends that all children with developmental delays be screened for lead poisoning.
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder
In order to determine whether your child has autism spectrum disorder or another developmental condition, clinicians look carefully at the way your child interacts with others, communicates, and behaves. Diagnosis is based on the patterns of behavior that are revealed.
If you are concerned that your child has autism spectrum disorder and developmental screening confirms the risk, ask your family doctor or pediatrician to refer you immediately to an autism specialist or team of specialists for a comprehensive evaluation. Since the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is complicated, it is essential that you meet with experts who have training and experience in this highly specialized area.
The team of specialists involved in diagnosing your child may include:
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a brief process. There is no single medical test that can diagnose it definitively; instead, in order to accurately pinpoint your childs problem, multiple evaluations and tests may be necessary.
Read Also: How To Make A Visual Schedule For Autism
Characteristics Of Autism Spectrum Disorder
The core;signs ;of autism in children;are social communication challenges and repetitive or restrictive behaviors. While young children may display these characteristics ;on occasion, a child with autism will consistently display these charactersitics and they may interfere with his or her daily life. Health care professionals make an autism diagnosis by assessing behaviorsassociated with social communication challenges and repetitive or restrictive behaviors.
Here is a closer look at the characteristics of autism:
What Is The Symbol For Autism
The;Autism;Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most enduring and recognized;symbol;of the;autism;community in the world
References
Also Check: Symettra Autism
Getting The Right Environment
Environment is important to quality of life for autistic people. There are ways you can adapt and improve your environment to make it as comfortable and supportive as possible for you or your child.
The social model of disability is a way of looking at the world that treats the difficulties people with disabilities have as being caused by barriers in society, rather than just the disabilities themselves. These barriers can be physical for example, buildings not having accessible toilets. Barriers can also be caused by peoples attitudes for example, many people will assume someone is lying because they dont make eye contact while talking.
The social model of disability can be a helpful way of considering the difficulties someone faces, and how to adapt their environment so it works for them.
Common changes to an environment that can help autistic people include:
- sensory changes for example, being given a quiet space to work, being able to use sensory toys like fidget spinners, or being allowed to make noises while working
- communication changes for example, using email or apps to communicate, using very clear language, allowing additional time to ask questions, or using visual communication such as photos or pictures as well as written words
- routine keeping to a regular routine and giving warning of any changes as far in advance as possible
- infections