Parenting child who have been diagnosed with autism does not mean a life long or child development parenting nightmare. Child psychology and child behavioral experts share that parents who become aware of their autistic child’s needs by teaming with medical and educational specialist will have many opportunities as parents to experience positive outcomes. Like many parenting challenges, the more you learn and the more support you secure from knowledgeable individuals, the better prepared you be.
According to the National Alliance for Autism Research, autism is a brain disorder that typically affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally impaired, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking.
Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child. In many cases, their baby seemed “different” from birth-being unresponsive to people and toys, or focusing intently on one item for long periods of time. The first signs of autism may also appear in children who had been developing normally. When an affectionate, babbling toddler suddenly becomes silent, withdrawn, violent, or self-abusive, something is wrong.
Even so, years may go by before the family seeks a diagnosis.
Well-meaning friends and relatives sometimes help parents ignore the problems with reassurances that “Every child is different,” or “Janie can talk-she just doesn’t want to!” Unfortunately, this only delays getting appropriate assessment and treatment for the child.
After assessing observations and test results, the specialist makes a diagnosis of autism only if there is clear evidence of:
- Poor or limited social relationships
- Underdeveloped communication skills
- Repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities.
- People with autism generally have some impairment within each category, although the severity of each symptom may vary. The diagnostic criteria also require that these symptoms appear by age 3.
MY SON IS 4 AND 1/2. HE WILL NOT STOP POURING LIQUIDS ALL OVER THE HOUSE CARPET. HE DOES THIS MOSTLY IN THE EVENING OR LATE IN THE DAY. HE SAYS THAT HE SOMETIMES DOES NOT REMEMBER DOING IT. NOW HE IS STARTING TO TAKE THINGS THAT BELONG TO ME AND MY HUSBAND AND HIDING THEM THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR. HE IS VERY SMART FOR HIS AGE. HE GETS ALONG WITH ALL OF HIS FRIENDS. HE ONLY DOES THIS BEHAVIOR IN OUR HOME.