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Common Symptoms in Children with Autism
by Jene Aviram
Parents are devastated when their child is diagnosed with autism. "I knew something was wrong." Says Laine in NY. "But I thought people with autism were like Rain Man."
These are some of the common symptoms in children with autism.
Strange body movementsYour child has some strange body movements. You can't figure out if this is cute or concerning. Your child might flap his hands when he's excited. He might walk on his tip toes. You might have caught him staring at his fingers or flicking them in front of his eyes. He might have some other movements. He doesn't do this all the time but its frequent enough to keep you wondering if it's normal.
Temper tantrumsWhile all children have temper tantrums your child definitely seems to go overboard. The smallest thing can set him off. In attempt to console him, you find yourself scurrying around in frenzy while you offer him juice, food or his favorite toy. Despite all efforts your child does not calm down easily and you begin to dread these moments. You become fearful of going out and do everything in your power to prevent the storm before it hits.
Physical abilitiesYour child might be clumsy but you are amazed at how fast he is and the ability he has to climb. You turn around for a moment and suddenly notice that your child has got to the top of the fridge. "How did he do that?" And why didn't he just ask for the banana he saw up there? On the flip side, your child might have delayed physical skills. "Why can't he jump? Or skip? Or walk up the stairs foot over foot? Why is he so poor on the playground?" you wonder to yourself.
Food preferences"My child is the world's fussiest eater!" This is a common sentiment of parents on the autism spectrum. Your child might not agree to try anything new. Almost everything is distasteful except the five foods he eats. He might like only crunchy food or only soft food. Just because he likes chicken nuggets at home, doesn't mean he likes them in a restaurant. If the recipe varies even slightly, your child will notice immediately and go hungry instead.
Attention to detail Does your child notice the tiniest of things? A crack in the wall or a piece of lint on the sofa might grab his attention. When looking at a book, he might be drawn to the small butterfly on the corner of the page, rather than the main character the rest of the world seems to focus on.
Letters, numbers and memory"My child must be a genius" you think to yourself as you smile. He is so good with letters and numbers. He knows the whole alphabet and you didn't even teach him. He amazes you with his ability to count backwards and forwards. You also might notice that he has an incredible memory. He jogs your memory about things you have long forgotten. He remembers books and DVD's by heart after listening to them or reading them once.
Self help skillsTypical children beam with joy at your delight when they button their pants. Children with autism often don't share the same social motivation. The struggle to zip up their coat or put on their shoes simply outweighs the pride in your face. If motivation isn't the issue, fine motor skills might be the problem. Many children with autism have delays in this area. Pouring juice, turning handles and manipulating small items may be very challenging for children on the autism spectrum.
If your child has just been diagnosed with autism, keep in mind that he is the same person today as he was yesterday. The good news about autism is that there is great hope. Your child will grow and progress. The best thing you can do is provide unconditional love and support.
About the Author
Jene Aviram is a major player in the field of autism. She is one of the co-founders ofNatural Learning Concepts (nlconcepts.com/). Her work is often published and she is known for inspiring and helping all those affected bythe autism spectrum. Visit her website for some great resources (http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-spect...)
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