Recognizing the Symptoms of Autism
Autism & PDD: Early Diagnosis and Intervention
Initially it is common for symptoms of autism to be dismissed or overlooked as tantrums or shyness. Routine physicals are an important tool in monitoring your child’s physical, mental and emotional development. In recent decades the number of children that meet the criteria for an autism or pervasive development disorder (PDD) diagnosis has grown at an astounding rate. As a result, pediatricians have become trained to monitor for autism and PDD.
Children are currently be diagnosed as early as eighteen months of age. Most children that are on the spectrum are being diagnosed and receiving treatment by the age of four. Early diagnosis and intervention are important to provide the best outcome for your child.
Developmental Milestone Delays
Autistic children have delays in reaching developmental and social milestones. This may present as a delay or regression in language or social skills. Autistic children have difficulties verbally communicating and making eye contact. They also are likely to respond to social stimuli with erratic outbursts or retreating to avoid the setting.
Repetitive Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors or actions are a characteristic trait of many children on the spectrum. These behaviors may include spinning in circles, flapping hands, making repetitive sounds or head banging. It is important to understand that there are varied levels of the disorder and that presentation of onset will vary from child to child.
Hypersensitivity to Stimuli
Autistic children tend to have a hypersensitivity to sound, light, temperature, texture and touch. This can pose a significant factor in parenting a child with the disorder. The amount of stimuli that triggers discomfort for an autistic child can be out of proportion to that of the general population.
The texture of a food, for example, may result in your child reacting violently or refusing to eat. Children on the spectrum are often self limiting in their dietary consumption. It is not uncommon for autistic children to go to extraordinary measures to avoid eating foods that send their senses into overdrive. Parents are often trained by their child to continually feed them the same food items that they seem willing to tolerate. This can result in a great deal of frustration and anxiety at meal times for both caregiver and child.
Ritualistic Behaviors
Autistic children will often follow patterns of behavior that closely mimic an obsessive compulsive disorder. They may become aggressive if they are unable to sit in the same chair or if they are given a new garment of clothing. Or, they may be driven to line up or order items following a specific pattern. Children with autism are frequently disturbed by changes in routine. Flexibility is not a typical trait of an autistic individual.
Avoidance
Social interaction is an event that most toddlers crave. An autistic child will generally avoid direct contact with other children and retreat to a corner or under a table. They have difficulty with making eye contact or responding to others in an appropriate manor. Autistic children also have the tendency to reject hugging or other physical contact.
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