Autism is a lifetime developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction and relationships. Their ability to develop bonds is generally restricted as is their capability to understand other people's emotional expression.
Signs and Symptoms
There are three key areas of cluster features, which provide the criteria for a diagnosis for autism, these are known as the 'triad of impairments'
1. Social: Impaired, deviant and extremely delayed social development - especially interpersonal development. The deviation may be from 'autistic aloofness' to 'active but odd' characteristics.
2. Language and Communication: Diminished and deviant language and communication development - verbal and non-verbal.
3. Thought and behavior: Rigidity of thought and behavior and poor social imagination, like repetitive behavior, reliance on routines, extreme delay or absence of pretend play.
Characteristics
If one of these characteristics is observed in children over a long period of time, consider the possibility of getting your child assessed.
- Does not respond to his/her name.
- Cannot explain what he/she wants.
- Speech is delayed.
- does not follow instructions
- At times, the child seems to be unresponsive.
- Seems to hear sometimes, but not other times.
- Does not point or wave "bye-bye."
- Used to speak a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn't.
- Throws intense or violent tantrums.
- Have odd movement patterns.
- Is excessively active, uncooperative, or resistant.
- Does not know how to play with toys.
- Does not smile when smiled at.
- Has poor or no eye contact.
- Gets "caught" doing the same things over and over and cannot move on to other things.
- Prefers to play alone.
- Gets things for him/herself only.
- Is very independent for his/her age.
- Seems to be in his/her "own world."
- Is not interested in other children.
- Walks on his/her toes.
- Shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always holding a string or having to put socks on before pants).
- Spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order.
Assessments
We at Romasis use standardized psychological test to assess the severity of Autism.
Intervention Programs- Multi Disciplinary Approach
The child might need any or all of these therapies depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Speech-Language Therapy
Is a major part of the intervention model as it has been recognized that children with autism have difficulties with language usually delayed speech. Training children just to speak does not bring about a transformation of their behavior.
Occupational Therapy(OT)
Helps the child with autism in improving fine and gross motor skills, sensory motor skills that include balance( vestibular system), awareness about the body in space(proprioceptive system), and touch(tactile system). OT addresses to help the child overcome the issues that may hinder his or her day to day living and improving the quality of life.
Sensory Integration Therapy
(SI) is based on the idea that children with motor or sensory problems have difficulty processing the information their body receives through the various senses. A child with sensory issues will often present their difficulties as one or more of the following :-
- Being extremely unresponsive
- Laughing uncontrollably
- Losing control of his body i.e. getting extremely limp and/or clumsy
- Becoming either hyper- or hypo-sensitive to pain and other physical stimuli
- Getting aggressive such as pinching or spitting
- Flapping hands
- Humming and clicking while wandering around aimlessly
Music Therapy
Includes singing, movement to music and playing instruments. It is considered as a good medium for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder because it requires no verbal interaction as music is by nature structured. It also facilitates play which can aid in socialization indirectly influencing behavior.
