Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together.
Most
people with autism will always have some trouble relating to others. But
early diagnosis and treatment have helped more and more people who have
autism to reach their full potential.
Autism tends to run in families, so experts think
it may be something that you inherit. Scientists are trying to find out
exactly which genes may be responsible for passing down autism in
families.
Other studies are looking at whether autism can be
caused by other medical problems or by something in your child's
surroundings.
False claims in the news have made some parents concerned about a link between autism and vaccines. But studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. It's important to make sure that your child gets all childhood vaccines. They help keep your child from getting serious diseases that can cause harm or even death.
Symptoms almost always start before a child is 3 years old. Usually, parents first notice that their toddler
has not started talking yet and is not acting like other children the
same age. But it is not unusual for a child with autism to start to talk
at the same time as other children the same age, then lose his or her
language skills.
Symptoms of autism include:
- A delay in learning to talk, or not talking at all. A child may seem to be deaf, even though hearing tests are normal.
- Repeated and overused types of behaviours
- r, interests, and play. Examples include repeated body rocking, unusual attachments to objects, and getting very upset when routines change.
There is no "typical" person with autism. People
can have many different kinds of behaviors, from mild to severe. Parents
often say that their child with autism prefers to play alone and does
not make eye contact with other people.
Autism may also include other problems:
- Many children with autism have below-normal intelligence.
- Teenagers with autism often become depressed and have a lot of anxiety, especially if they have average or above-average intelligence.
- Some children get a seizure disorder such as epilepsy by their teen years.
There are guidelines your doctor will use to see
if your child has symptoms of autism. The guidelines put symptoms into
categories such as:
- Social interactions and relationships. For example, a child may have trouble making eye contact. People with autism may have a hard time understanding someone else's feelings, such as pain or sadness.
- Verbal and nonverbal communication. For example, a child may never speak. Or he or she may often repeat a certain phrase over and over.
- Limited interests in activities or play. For example, younger children often focus on parts of toys rather than playing with the whole toy. Older children and adults may be fascinated by certain topics, like trading cards or license plates.
Your child may also have a hearing test and some other tests to make sure that problems are not caused by some other condition.
Treatment for autism involves special behavioral
training. Behavioral training rewards appropriate behavior (positive
reinforcement) to teach children social skills and to teach them how to
communicate and how to help themselves as they grow older.
With early treatment, most children with autism
learn to relate better to others. They learn to communicate and to help
themselves as they grow older.
Depending on the child, treatment may also include such things as speech therapy or physical therapy. Medicine is sometimes used to treat problems such as depression or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
Exactly what type of treatment your child needs
depends on the symptoms, which are different for each child and may
change over time. Because people with autism are so different, something
that helps one person may not help another. So be sure to work with
everyone involved in your child's education and care to find the best
way to manage symptoms.
An important part of your child's treatment plan
is making sure that other family members get training about autism and
how to manage symptoms. Training can reduce family stress and help your
child function better. Some families need more help than others.
Take advantage of every kind of help you can find. Talk
to your doctor about what help is available where you live. Family,
friends, public agencies, and autism organizations are all possible
resources.
Remember these tips:
- Plan breaks. The daily demands of caring for a child with autism can take their toll. Planned breaks will help the whole family.
- Get extra help when your child gets older. The teen years can be a very hard time for children with autism.
- Get in touch with other families who have children with autism. You can talk about your problems and share advice with people who will understand.
Raising a child with autism is hard work. But with support and training, your family can learn how to cope.
This is a serious health problem. God save us oooo
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