Symptoms
of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder
According to the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development's Autism Facts, "a
doctor should definitely and immediately
evaluate a child for autism if he or she:
- Does not babble or coo by 12 months of
age
- Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp,
etc.) by 12 months of age
- Does not say single words by 16 months
of age
- Does not say two-word phrases on his or
her own (rather than just repeating what
someone says to him or her) by 24 months of
age
- Has any loss of
any language or social skill at
any age.
There are a number of things that parents,
teachers, and others who care for children can
look for to determine if a child needs to be
evaluated for autism. The following "red
flags" could be signs that a doctor should
evaluate a child for autism or a related
communication disorder.
- The child does not respond to his/her
name.
- The child cannot explain what he/she
wants.
- Language skills or speech are delayed.
- The child doesn't follow directions.
- At times, the child seems to be deaf.
- The child seems to hear sometimes, but
not others.
- The child doesn't point or wave bye-bye.
- The child used to say a few words or
babble, but now he/she doesn't.
- The child throws intense or violent
tantrums.
- The child has odd movement patterns.
- The child is hyperactive, uncooperative,
or oppositional.
- The child doesn't know how to play with
toys.
- The child doesn't smile when smiled at.
- The child has poor eye contact.
- The child gets "stuck" on things over
and over and can't move on to other things.
- The child seems to prefer to play alone.
- The child gets things for him/herself
only.
- The child is very independent for
his/her age.
- The child does things "early" compared
to other children.
- The child seems to be in his/her "own
world."
- The child seems to tune people out.
- The child is not interested in other
children.
- The child walks on his/her toes.
- The child shows unusual attachments to
toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always
holding a string or having to put socks on
before pants.)
- Child spends a lot of time lining things
up or putting things in a certain order.
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Doctors should do a developmental screening"
at every well-baby and well-child visit, through
the preschool years. In this screening, the
doctor asks questions related to normal
development that allow him or her to measure a
specific child's development. These questions
are often more specific versions of the "red
flags" listed above, such as Does
the child cuddle like other children? Or, Does
the child direct your attention by holding up
objects for you to see? The doctor will
also ask if the child has any features that were
listed earlier as definite signs for evaluation
for autism.
If the doctor finds that a child either has
definite signs of autism, or has a high number
of red flags, he or she will send the child to a
specialist in child development or another type
of health care professional, so the child can be
tested for autism. The specialist will rule out
other disorders and use tests specific to
autism. Then he or she will decide whether a
formal diagnosis of autism, autism spectrum
disorder, or another disorder is appropriate."
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Several symptoms can be seen by 18 months of
age, such as poor eye contact, trouble with
pretend play and imitation, delayed
communication skills and problems with "joint
attention." Joint attention occurs when a child
points or otherwise tries to get someone to look
at the same thing he is observing. Children with
autism often don't point or show joint
attention.
Nonetheless, the average age of diagnosis is
about three years old. Parents and doctors often
are alerted to a problem when the child doesn't
develop speech around age 2.
"Studies also show that a subgroup of
children with ASDs experiences a 'regression,'
meaning they stop using the language, play, or
social skills they had already learned. This
regression usually happens between the first and
second birthdays.
Researchers are still learning about the
features of regression in ASDs, and whether the
features differ from those shown by individuals
who show signs of autism in early life."
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"According to the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of
2004, the child's primary health care provider
is required to refer the family to an early
intervention service. In addition, children age
three and older are entitled by law to a free
and appropriate public education. In some
states, the law extends these services to all
diagnosed children from birth to age three.
These services vary by state, but include
special education and related services or
treatment programs. If the child is under age
three, the family should consult the
zero-to-three service system in their
community. The local school district can provide
services for a family if the child is three or
older. In either case, the local school
district, the state education agency, and the
local or state health departments should provide
referrals for the necessary services....
There are a number of parents' organizations,
both national and local, that can provide
information about education and treatment
services and how to get these services for a
child. For a listing of these organizations, go
to
Medline Plus, or check the local phone
book."
source:
www.autismweb.com |
