Autism

What is autism?

What are the signs and symptoms of autism ?

Social skills and interaction:

• Child does not respond to name
• Child prefers playing alone
• Child resists cuddling and holding
• Child does not hold eye contact
• Child has poor facial expressions
• Child doesn't speak, has delayed speech or loses ability to speak previously learned words.
• Child speaks with an abnormal tone and rhythm.
• Child repeats words or phrases.
• Children have difficulty recognising social and nonverbal cues.
• Children have an inappropriate approach to social interaction by being passive or aggressive. 

Patterns of behaviour:

• Child performs repetitive movements as rocking or hand flapping
•  Child develops specific routines which they do not like to be disturbed
• Child performs actions which may harm self as head banging
• Child is fascinated by details of objects but cannot understand overall mechanism
• Child is usually sensitive to light, sound and touch
• Child has specific food preferences 

What causes autism ?

Is there a cure for autism?

What should a parent do when concerned about a child's development in autism?

• You should talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your child and believe he/she may be showing signs of autism.
• You should get an early assessment and diagnosis as it is the first step to helping your child.
• You should consider early therapy for your child suffering from autism.
• There are specific support groups for children who have autism.
• Early therapy is of paramount importance as it has been found children who have been treated early may require minimum or no support as they grow older.