Autism

What is autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain which affects how a person interacts and communicates with others. It originates from the way that neurons in the brain are connected in the early years. A child can be diagnosed with autism at the tender age of three and the warning signs may be there even earlier. Interestingly, almost four times more boys are diagnosed with autism than girls.

Causes of autism

The number of people known to have autism has increased since the 1980s. The exact causes of autism are unclear; one theory is that it could be caused by childhood vaccines, but this hasn't been proved as yet and requires more research. In fact many health professionals have disregarded this theory already. Read our feature on The MMR debate for more information on this topic.

There are links between Autism and ADHD, however this is not to say that they are one and the same thing; indeed, there are marked differences between the two. A child suffering from autism is likely to be introverted and distant. Children with ADHD are filled with energy and possess a certain sense of naughtiness.

The term 'Autistic Spectrum Disorders' encompasses autism and Asperger's syndrome. It affects children in different ways and to differing degrees. Some children might have an average IQ or higher, whereas others might be more severely affected.

What are the most common symptoms of autism?

1) An inability to relate to other people and difficulty interacting with others. This can be manifested in a child's language skills; some children might echo words but use them in the wrong context.

2) A lack of imagination; autism can affect the way a child understands language and some children with autism are more likely to interpret things literally.

3) A need for order and routine. Although all children need routine and stability, children with autism will have a greater need for structure than other children.

4) Obsessive, repetitive behaviour.

How can I help an autistic child?

1) Through play. Encourage your child's social skills as much as possible.

2) Use distraction as a technique.

3) Endeavour to encourage and boost your child's self-esteem by focusing on the positive aspects.

4) According to clinical psychologist Dorothy Einon, you should 'play to the child's inabilities'. She suggests that you, 'break down tasks to make them simple', and proposes that you show your child lots of 'love and patience.'  

5) Don't generalise or group autistic children together in the same category; value your child as an individual. Try to differentiate between the child and the condition. Endeavour to integrate your child into society.

How will I know if my child has autism?

There are certain signs that you can look out for, which might suggest that your child has autism:

1) If your child is having trouble communicating.

2) If he finds it difficult to make eye contact.

3) If your child is behaving unusually.

4) If his language isn't developing as you would expect.

Einon suggests that 'if you suspect there are problems, ask for a developmental check.' She continues that 'Learning difficulties and hearing loss are easier to diagnose than autism and need different sorts of help.'

What does the future hold for an autistic child?

Education:

Every child has the right to an education and an autistic child is no different, although their education will need to cater to their individual needs. There's no cure for autism, but if a child receives the best education possible it will maximise their chances of having a normal a life as they can. The ethos now is that children with Asperger's syndrome, which is one of the autism spectrum disorders not characterised by learning difficulties or language delay, should be included into the mainstream schooling system. Obviously, their specific needs must be taken into consideration and if a child is severly autistic, he might be more suited to a special school which will cater for his needs.  Some mainstream schools are more willing to cater to a child's specific needs than others. It very much depends on the teaching staff within each school. The time at which the pupil might need the most attention and support is actually during break-time, as children with Asperger's syndrome and more severe cases of autism often suffer from a lack of social skills and an inability to communicate and interact with their peers. A good school will provide academic and autism-specific support; it will have a structured skills programme and opportunities for interaction with other students.

What about future education?

If your child has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, try to remain positive. They will be able to go to University, if they so wish, although it's probably advisable that they inform the college they're going to. 

Hot tip:

The earlier you diagnose your child's autism, the better; even if you think you're being neurotic or paranoid, it's always best to check.

If you would like to talk to other mums about autism, or any other related topic, you can do this on the Behaviour area of the chat forum.