The Autistic Child
What is Autism?
Autism is one of the mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that appears in early childhood. Autistic children may have a serious lifelong disability. However, with appropriate treatment and training, some autistic children can develop certain aspects of independence in their lives.
Parents should support their autistic children in developing those skills that use their strengths
so they will feel good about themselves.
What Are the Signs Of Autism?
When an infant or toddler:
* does not cuddle or respond to affection and touching.
* does not make eye contact.
* appears to be unable to communicate.
* displays persistent failure to develop two-way social relationships in any situation.
* does not show a preference for parents over other adults.
does not develop friendships with other children.
* has poor language skills; or nonexistent ones.
* shows unusual, extreme responses to objects - either avoidance or preoccupation.
* finds moving objects, such as a fan, hold great fascination.
* may form an unusual attachment to odd objects such as a paper or rubberband.
* displays repetitive activities of a restrictive range.
* spins and repeats body movements, such as arm flapping.
* may repeat television commercials.
* may indulge in complex bedtime rituals.
The symptoms of autism range from mild to severe. Although symptoms of the disorder sometimes can be seen in early infancy, the condition may appear after months of normal development. About 7 in every 10 children and adolescents with autism also have mental retardation or other problems with their brain function or structure.