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Autism is one of the most mysterious things that can happen to a child.
Scientists still don’t know exactly what causes this condition. You cannot call it a disease, it is more like the child lives in his own world, which requires special reactions, not the same as we are used to. Now we have learned to relatively adapt children with autism to reality, depending on the degree of the disorder. But not all and not always. However, special children are part of our society. Therefore, it is necessary that everyone knows a few important things about them.
1. No two children with autism are alike
If you saw how one child behaves, it’s like you didn’t see anything. It can be difficult even for specialists to summarize their experience. According to statistics, every 60th child suffers from autism spectrum disorders. The term “autism spectrum” itself appeared precisely because cases of classic autism are rare. More often, children show their own set of symptoms: repetitive behavior or difficulties with imagination, social interaction skills or other signs that are not visible to the naked eye are not formed, only parents can notice them, and specialists can recognize them.
2. Autism cannot be diagnosed at an early age
In rare cases, autism can be talked about when a child is two years old. But such a diagnosis can be accurately made no earlier than the baby turns four, or even five years old. A single symptom, such as delayed speech (which more and more children are exhibiting), does not mean anything.
“Psychiatrists are constantly removing the diagnosis of autism based on the lack of speech alone. The combination of symptoms is important for the diagnosis, says Larisa Surkova, Ph.D., psychologist. – But often the combination of symptoms is missed. The diagnostic problem still exists. “
3. Autism is not bad parenting
A child with a spectrum disorder often comes across as simply ill-mannered, spoiled. For parents who are already having a difficult time, it becomes even more difficult at this moment. Tantrums, hyperactivity, loudness – it is worth remembering that all this may not be due to upbringing, not because the parents are bad, but because the child is like that. And nothing can be done about it, so there is no need to bale and condemn mom and dad for the behavior of their baby once again.
4. The causes of autism are not exactly clear.
What causes autism with one hundred percent probability, no doctor will tell. We can only guarantee that these are not vaccinations – just the symptoms of autism begin to manifest themselves at the same time when the child is given planned injections according to the national calendar. The hereditary factor, infections in the mother during pregnancy, the characteristics of her diet and the medications that the woman takes, hormonal disorders, ecology, even the break between pregnancies matter.
5. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better.
Better for everyone – both the child and the family. This does not mean that the baby will instantly recover from autistic disorders, no. But this means that work will begin earlier on its adaptation, the development of social and behavioral skills, and the approach to teaching the child will be adjusted.
6. Treatment for autism is not medicine
The main task of parents and specialists is not to stuff the child with drugs, but to socially adapt him in society, to develop functional skills that will allow the child to grow up to be a successful person. That is, autistic disorders are not treated, but corrected. Medical intervention is reduced to the relief of individual symptoms: hyperactivity, sleep problems.
7. Children with autism are just children
They can get upset and nervous for exactly the same reasons as their usual peers: moving, for example, or illness. They just do not know how to express their experiences in a socially acceptable way and do it as best they can. With age, some of these children remain with undeveloped speech and cannot serve themselves on their own. But most of the children with autism spectrum disorder are quite successful in socializing, studying, working and are no different from everyone else. The main thing is to deal with them.