Article in Atascadero News May 19, 2010
Parents Are Often FIRST To See Autism Signs
Laurie Ferguson, Psy.D.
On sit-coms, parents are often the last to know what their child or teen is up to. Cue laugh track.
Turns out when it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s), parents are usually the FIRST to know, and pediatricians, educators, and mental health professionals are taking parents’ concerns seriously – because early intervention is key.
In fact, early intervention in optimal educational settings for at least 2 years during the preschool years results in improved outcomes in most young children with ASD.
Symptoms of ASD range from mild to severe, and every individual is unique. Symptoms include impaired social interaction, communication problems, and limited, repetitive behaviors or interests.
A child with ASD may have language delays or lack language completely, and have trouble communicating in other ways (such as gesturing). By 1 year of age, most children are babbling, pointing, or gesturing. By 16 months, a spoken word or two is usually emerging. By age 2 years, listen for your child to combine two words together meaningfully.
For some children with ASD, you may wonder if there is a hearing problem as they ignore you or respond inconsistently to their name. Perhaps eye contact is poor, or she prefers to be alone. Does your child spend most of his time preoccupied in limited interests, like lining up cars? Does she engage in pretend play? Or maybe he cannot tolerate any changes in routine. Sensory stimuli, such as noisy stores or clothing tags, may be overwhelming.
Temper tantrums can be intense. Aggression and self-harming behavior can become serious concerns. In children and teens with ASD, depression and anxiety can occur as they recognize they are “different” from peers. For adults with ASD, living independently can be difficult.
Signs of ASD’s and other developmental disorders can be evident at birth, or they may appear within the early months or years of life. If you suspect your child may have a developmental disorder, discuss this with your child’s pediatrician. If enough signs of ASD are present, a referral to a mental health professional can be made for a full diagnostic assessment.
ASD’s are no laughing matter, but with the right support, individuals with Autism and other developmental disorders can experience a more fulfilling quality of life.
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