How To Take Care Of A Child With Autism?
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong, nonprogressive neurological disorder generally appearing earlier than the age of three years. The word “autism” indicates a developmental disability of children notably affecting verbal and non-verbal conversation and social interaction. Autism is a spectrum of disorder having many aspects. There are not any known predisposing factors for autism spectrum disorder {ASD}. But it is usually noticed by parents in day to day activities of the child while growing. Brain scans display differences in the shape and structure of the brain in youngsters with autism compared to healthy youngsters.
Types of Autism
The three most common forms of autism are
- Autistic Disorder or conventional autism;
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
These 3 problems share lots of the equal symptoms, but they differ of their severity and impact.
Symptoms of autism
• Abnormal Body Posturing or Facial Expressions
• Abnormal Tone of Voice
• Dodging of Eye Contact or Poor Eye Contact
• Behavioural Disturbances
• Deficits in Language Comprehension
• Delay in Learning to Speak
• Flat or Monotonous Speech
• Inappropriate Social Interaction
• Intense Focus on One Topic
• Lack of Empathy
• Lack of Understanding Social behaviour
• Learning Disability or Difficulty
Behaviour of autistic child
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are frequently restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviours, activities, and interests.
Symptoms may include: Repetitive frame movements (hand flapping, rocking, and spinning); shifting constantly. Obsessive attachment to uncommon objects like rubber bands, keys, light switches.
Facts to Know about autism
- Children with autism cannot communicate properly, they have problem in speech.
- Can’t react to you like greeting or wishing.
- Often, they do things repeatedly.
- Right now, out of 1000 children in the world 6 are found to be autistic.
- It is our duty to identify these problems early and send them for treatment.
- Asperger syndrome is a form of mild autism with higher intellect. It is usually detected later in childhood around 11 yrs. of age.
- Autistic children who don’t show any delay in language recognition are grouped under Asperger syndrome.
- Autism is more seen in boys,
- They may present with dysmorphic features or skin pigmentations.
Causes Of autism
- The most common is a genetic basis.
- Rubella and CMV infection
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Phenylketonuria
- Fragile X syndrome
- Similar looking twins have more chances of developing autism.
- The vaccine containing mercury derived compound thimerosal
Treatment
These include the use of mega-vitamins and other nutritional supplements, chelation therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Diets free of casein and/or gluten are tried as interventions for autism.
Supplement of calcium and vitamin D along with high protein intake is required. Restriction of dairy products should be supplemented with calcium and vitamin D since milk and dairy products represent major sources of calcium and protein intake for these young children.
Things parents can do to help their child with autism
- No be counted how exhausted you are, get your infant out inside the community. If you haven’t already accomplished so, be part of a parent organization and/or your school district’s special education PTA. You will make beneficial connections at both.
- Try to find parents of children along with your kid’s degree of autism and be in touch with them. These people might be a source of facts for you and don’t hesitate to take timely suggestions from them.
- If you can afford appoint a trainer or adviser for your child’s college program. A clean set of eyes might also see regions that want to improve, or can also reassure you that they’re doing all they could for your son or daughter. It’s always good to realize one in case you need suggest at an IEP meeting.
- If possible, volunteer at school features or offer to be a class mom. This is an excellent manner to get to recognize your child’s trainer and your school’s directors better. You may also make friends with other parents too.
- Although it may be difficult to tackle your child, take any offer of babysitting you can and get out. You want a night time off from autism once in a while. Even if it’s for some hours, it will help.
- Educate your friends and family as to what’s occurring on your household. Perhaps you’ve been too worn-out up to this point to speak to people now not in the “tribe” about what an autistic baby is certainly like. It’s time to tell them and ask for the assist you need, although it’s simply an ear to listen.
- Make those physician appointments for yourself that you’ve been putting off. Just do it.
- Get worried in an autism walk on your community. It is so powerful to fulfil so many families like (and unlike) yours. It will come up with strength.
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