All you should know about Autism

Kaajal Gunputh Kaajal Gunputh Nov 9, 2018 1289 0

All you should know about Autism

All you need to know about autism

 Austism is a developmental disability that affects many children around the world. According to Wold Health Organization, 1 in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder.

 

What is Autism

Autism or Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) as it’s sometimes called, is a lifelong condition that affects how a person experiences the world around them, how they communicate and interact socially, as well as their interests and behaviour.  
it is usually referred to as a ‘spectrum disorder’ because it can affect people in different ways and to varying degrees. Autism is also a ‘hidden’ disability as people can’t tell someone is autistic from their appearance.

What is autism really like?

Autism is not always understood by the general public. In a recent survey by the National Autistic Society, 16% of autistic people and their families said they think autism is understood in a meaningful way.
87% of parents interviewed said people stare at their child’s autistic behaviours and 84% of autistic individuals think people judge them strange. What is more terrible is that, half of the families interviewed said that they never leave the house because they are worried about the public’s reaction.


Signs of autism in babies and toddlers


 

Pre-school children who have autism may show the following the symptoms:

  • Delayed speech development or not speaking at all
  • Rejecting cuddles initiated by a parent or carer (although they may initiate cuddles themselves)
  • Negative reactions when asked to do something
  • No awareness of other people’s personal space or intolerance of people entering their own personal space
  • Preferring to play alone and little interest in interacting with children of a similar age
  • Rarely using gestures or facial expressions when communicating
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Having repetitive movements, such as rocking back and forth
  • Playing with toys in a repetitive and unimaginative way
  • Preference for familiar routines and getting upset if their routine changes
  • Strongly disliking certain foods based on the texture or colour or taste
  • Unusual sensory interests – for example, children with ASD may sniff toys, objects or people inappropriately
  • Not responding to their name being called, despite having normal hearing

Signs of autism in older children


 

In addition to the symptoms listed above, school-age children with autism may show the following:

  • Preference for avoiding using spoken language
  • Monotonous speech, sometimes preferring pre-learned phrases
  • Difficulty at two-way conversations, seeming to talk ‘at’ people
  • Taking things literally and being unable to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech
  • Not understanding certain basic social interactions


Treatment of Autism

There are no “cures” for autism, but therapies can help people feel better or alleviate their symptoms.

Many treatment approaches involve therapies such as:


  • Play Therapy
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Speech Therapy

Some people on the spectrum may respond well to certain approaches, while others may not.

 

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