There are a vast number of ways in which a young child can manifest autism symptoms but if you don’t know what to look for you may miss the signs. Here are a few suggestions to help you.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

Autism is currently referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is a complex neuro-developmental disorder that impairs a child’s ability to communicate and socialise. Typically the child develops certain specific, repetitive behaviour patterns and also becomes either overtly sensitive to sensory impulses (touch, taste, sound and sight) or vice versa. Early diagnosis and intervention to teach the child social, language and communication skills is crucial; the younger the child the better!

Diagnosis

Autism used to be diagnosed as Kanner/classic, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, childhood disintegrative disorder and autistic disorder but these subcategories are now included in the broad term “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD).

Regardless of how autism manifests and the type, children with autism are affected in one way or another (though in different degrees and before age three) by the “triad of impairments” that cause disturbances in the quality and development of the following:

  1. Language and communication (verbal and non-verbal)
  2. Social interaction (problems relating to and interacting socially with others and the world around them)
  3. Imagination and creative play (inappropriate use of toys and limited range of imaginary activities).

However, according to the new DSM-5 list of criteria, to be diagnosed with ASD a child also needs to exhibit a total of six or more items from the following domains:

    • Impairment in the social interaction domain (at least two)
    • Impairment in the communication domain (at least one)
    • Restricted repetitive and stereotypical pattern of behaviour, interests and activities (at least one)
    • Delays of abnormal functioning in at least one of the triad of impairments listed above (with onset prior to age 3).

What parents can do

Parents with autistic children advise that you carefully observe your child’s development, behaviour and actions and follow your “gut” feeling if you are worried. It is not always about observing or looking for uncharacteristic signs but more about noting the obvious absence of normal developmental signs in early childhood. Autism South Africa recommends that you look out for the following:

    • No babbling by 11 months
    • No simple gestures by 12 months (waving bye-bye etc.)
    • No single words by 16 months
    • No two-word phrases by 24 months (“baby sleeping” etc.)
    • No response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
    • Loss of any language or social skills at any age
    • Rarely making eye contact when interacting with people
    • Not playing peek-a-boo
    • Not pointing to show things he/she is interested in
    • Rarely smiling
    • Being more interested in looking at objects than at people’s faces
    • Preferring to play alone
    • Not making attempts to get a parent’s attention; not following or looking when someone is pointing at something
    • Seems to be “in his/her own world”
    • Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
    • Oversensitivity to certain textures, sounds or lights
    • Lacking interest in toys, or playing with them in an unusual way (e.g. lining up, spinning, opening or closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
    • Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; being prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
    • Preoccupation with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels.

Help is at hand

Autism South Africa offers autism assessment clinics by a panel of professionals who have extensive experience in the diagnosis and assessment of autism spectrum disorders. You can contact them for an appointment at:

 

P.O. Box 84209. Greenside. 2034
Tel: 011 484 9909    Fax: 011 484 3171
Email: info@autismsouthafrica.org

Sources

 

Autism Practical Aspects. Retrieved from: http://www.aut2know.co.za/library/Autism%20Practical%20Aspects%20English%20Email%20version.pdf
Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.autism.netau/Autism_Definition.htm
Hughes, P 2013. Classic sign of autism appears in early infancy, study says. Retrieved from: https://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/news/2013/classic-sign-of-autism-appears-in-early-infancy-study-says
Understand Autism. Retrieved from: http://www.aut2know.co.za/understand-autism.php