Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental dysfunction caused by the imbalance or mismanagement in the brain. Scientists believe that there are several causes of ASD that mostly begin before the age of 3 years which can last throughout the entire life. But most of us are unaware of mild autism and do not know how to point out a slightly autistic child.
What is autism?
When hearing the very term Autism or autism spectrum disorder, anyone’s face turns pale behaviorally. It is a multiplex, life-long developmental disability that generally happens during childhood and can impact a person’s self-regulation, communication skills, and relationship. 1 in 4 children in the United States are affected with autism at present in accordance with the report of Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Various factors may influence the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD) accompanied by several medical issues, mental disorders, and social challenges.
What is Mild Autism?
The meaning and the definition of Mild Autism have been changing over the decades. It was known as infantile autism in 1980’, Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism in the 1990s, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from 2010 to till today.
According to the severity of the disorder level, it is considered mild to extreme autism. Some teachers, therapists, and parents might use the word mild autism to explain the affected condition of a child. But the doctors are using an updated version manual of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5).
People with ASD experience social communication problems, hypersensitivity to smell, noise, touch, and other types of sensory experiences. Persons’ with mild symptoms need the least support as they can speak and move better than others.
Some Possible Signs and Symptoms of Mild Autism
It is somehow difficult to identify and pre-determine the broad range of experience and behavioral patterns of kids with ASD.
Variability from one step to the next step can make it tougher for caregivers to fully ensure the diagnosis.
Some common possible behaviors that can diagnose ASD:
– A monomania on certain activities, concepts, or ideas
– Monotonous play or oral expressiveness
– Reluctance to grab in new experiences or to derange routines
– Disinclination to certain forms of interaction, especially cuddling
– Absence of eye contact and struggle to engage in conversation
– Missing physical or verbal signals
– Having tough understanding others’ talking or feelings related feelings in general
– Unwillingness to socialize or fascination for isolation
– Problems exerting their wishes or needs
– Unforeseen reactions to certain sounds, sights, smells, and textures
– Having a learning disability
– Co-occurring medical difficulties.
People or children with ASD might struggle with the following behaviors also:
– Does not keep eye contact
– Does not respond to name calls and exhibit facial expressions like sad, angry, happy, and surprised by 9 months of age
– Avoid greeting someone and playing simple interactive games by 12 months of age
– Show reluctant to share interests with others and does not respond to others points by 18 months of age
– Ignore notice when others are hurt or sad by 24 months of age
– Shows little interest in peers
– Has difficult understanding other people’s talking about own feelings at 36 months
– Repetitive or Restricted Behaviors or Interests
– People with ASD have unusual behaviors or interests
Some examples of repetitive or restricted interests and behaviors related to ASD can include:
– Adjoin objects and toys and gets upset when the order is dislocated
– Repeats words again and again
– Plays the same way with toys every time
– Becomes upset by simple changes
– Bears obsessive interests
– Show unusual reactions to the sound, look, smell and taste
Other Characteristics to identify a child as a slightly autistic person are as follow:
– Prolonged language skills, movement skills, cognitive or learning skills
– Impulsive, hyperactive, and inattentive behavior
– Sleep disorder and epilepsy or seizure dismay
– unusual eating and sleeping habits
– GI issues
– Unusual emotional reactions stress, anxiety, or excessive worry
Ways to handle mild autistic children
Diagnosis of ASD includes differences, problems with social communication, repetitive or restricted behaviors. Most ASD people need to get regular direct support from others and take treatment at the level of disorder intensity.
As a parent, you need to spend quality time with your children, especially those who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You have to line up to assist your son or daughter with autism spectrum disorder through some easy and simple ways along with medical care and therapies.
Focus on the positive
Remember, like anyone else, children with autism spectrum disorder respond quickly to positive issues. If you praise them for the behaviors they’re doing well, it will make them feel good. Reward them when getting the chance. The reward may be very simple and small like giving extra playtime or a sticker.
Stay consistent and on schedule
Research shows that children or people on the spectrum like routines. So, they need consistent guidance and interaction. It is necessary to practice what they learn from therapy. This will help them to learn new skills and behaviors easily. Make sure they can apply their knowledge in variant situations. You can also talk to their teachers and therapists in this regard.
Put play on the schedule
Make a schedule to play that seems like pure fun. Fun activities apart from education or therapy may help your child open up and connect with you.
Give it time
You need to try a lot of different techniques, treatments, and approaches to figure out what is best for your child. Stay positive and be patient. Never get discouraged if the child does not respond well to a particular method. Just take more time.
Engage them in everyday activities
If you cannot predict your child’s behavior, do not expose them to certain situations. You can engage them in every activity such as grocery shopping, helping you in cooking, cleaning their own reading table, a post office run, etc. This type of activity may help them get used to the world around them.
Source: United News of Bangladesh