How to Identify Autism

Having your child diagnosed with autism sets a "partial death syndrome" in motion for most parents. It is the death of your hopes and dreams for expectations on what your child will become. It is generally three to four times more common in boys; however, when females are diagnosed with this disorder their symptoms tend to be more severe. The spectrum of autistic disorders is expanding as the diagnosis of this disorder is on the rise. Reasons for the increase in diagnosis leaves a lot of room to speculate. The symptoms of autism hold some common features and are discussed here for your consideration.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Impaired Social Behavior: extreme lack of interactive behavior is the milestone in this diagnosis. In infancy some babies with autism appear indifferent to love and affection; others may not but in around age two they may present with dramatic changes to their tolerance for affection, which can intensify the parents sense of loss.
2. Attachment: Children with autism tend to be unable to develop peer relationships at an age appropriate developmental level, and fail to make attachments. Generally, they can tend to be totally void of spontaneity, seeking to share pleasure, or interests in the achievement of others. They may be unable to reciprocate emotional responses. They may have a delay or a total lack in spoken language, but may communicate through gesture or mime.
3. Language Impairment: if speech or language is present, the child may be unable to initiate or sustain a conversation. Language is usually repetitive, stereotyped or the child may have a certain phrase that they use to communicate distress, interest or a need. Children with autism may lack the skills for imaginative play, or imitative play that is age appropriate developmental skill.
4. Movement: restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior may be exhibited such as rocking, pounding, or sitting for long periods of time in total silence. The intensity of preoccupation with behavior may be extreme. The child may be unable to tolerate changes in their routine or rituals and will respond with inflexibility. He might engage in repetitive motor mannerisms that may involve small or complex whole body movements. The child may also have a persistent preoccupation with the parts of object and obsess on details, while lacking the ability to grasp the whole in an interactive manner.
5. Delays of or abnormal functioning in at least one of the three areas (social interaction, social language skills, and symbolic or imaginative play) are required for a professional to diagnose your child as autistic. The disturbance must have appeared prior to age three and must not be explained by another childhood disorder that would have similar symptoms. The cause of autism is unknown. The prognosis is difficult to predict.

Tips & Warnings

• Read How to Screen Your Child for Autism at Home--excellent information!
• Many parents argue that childhood injections (diphtheria antigens and booster)are the cause.
• Physicians state that research does not support this argument.
• What does seem to be gathering more evidence is immune dysfunction with deficiencies such as in the T Cells.
• Perhaps as we begin to understand biological markers and the inter-relatedness we can better understand cause.
• Research on neurotransmitter have shown abnormally high levels of serotonin in their blood, also present in many of their first degree family members.
• Some patients have responded to medications that stimulate the receptors for serotonin and some have responded to agents that block the receptors for dopamine.
• Asperger disorder is on the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders in children but does not present with a delay or impairment to speech or language.
• As the child slips away into her own world of isolation, the family mourns the loss of the child and the hopes and dreams they held.
• Having to accept that your child has autism is extremely difficult and is not a loss that you just "get over."
• The stress of caring for these children long-term can put extreme stress on families and marital relationships.
• The limitations of outside support can make it difficult for caretakers to receive necessary respite.
• The amount of time it takes to assist these children with daily living tasks can be exhausting and can take away time from other children in the family, support is critical!