Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by difficulties in communication and social interactions which affect how people communicate, learn, and behave. ASD is a fairly common disorder. According to the CDC one in 36 children are now being diagnosed as having autism, 1 in 45 adults have autism, and boys are nearly 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
Autism can present itself in many different ways: from a lack of communication all the way to expertise in a specific field (think Dr. Temple Grandin, Anthony Hopkins, and Albert Einstein). Parents may have a fear of the word autism and their child being different. They worry their child may be out of control, have behavior issues, or look different from their peers. However, the spectrum holds many traits that are enviable such as deep focus, keen observation and visual skills, loyalty, creativity, acceptance of differences, and tenacity.
Children may or may not show traits of autism at an early age in life. Behavioral symptoms of ASD can appear early in the child’s development, but age of diagnosis and range of severity can vary widely. Some children show signs of autism as early as 12-18 months while others may not show symptoms until they are two years old. If your child is exhibiting behaviors such as: avoiding eye contact, tiptoeing, extreme sensitivities (bright lights, noises, crowds), preference to play alone, lack of joint play, aversion to touch, not responding to name, repetitive behaviors, resistance to change, or delayed language skills you should speak with your pediatrician to determine if your child has autism.
If your child has autism, you will need to build a solid foundation of support which will include therapists to increase your child’s growth and development. Autistic children can benefit from speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
• Speech therapy can play a major role in helping your child to communicate and engage with people. An SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) may target nonverbal communication, utilization of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), pragmatics, prosody, grammar, social skills, and feeding challenges.
• Occupational therapy will help to enhance the individual’s quality of life, independence, and overall functioning. Occupational therapists may focus on sensory integration activities, fine motor skill development, activities to refine social engagement, and functional mobility training.
• Physical therapy can address muscle control, strength, posture, range of motion, and balance. Autistic children may also benefit from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is a therapeutic approach that focuses on social skills, communication abilities, learning skills, and hygiene and grooming.
Be positive and open-minded in regard to your child’s journey to becoming an adult. Thinking about the positive aspects of autism can open doors to new opportunities, make the community more inclusive, and change how we support people with autism. You may want to join a support group to connect with other parents of children who are on the spectrum. You have the most important job of being a guardian, caregiver, and cheerleader to these amazing human beings and you are not alone.
LIVING ON THE SPECTRUM
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