What is Autism and What are the signs?

What is Autism and what are the signs?


The Autism Society of America defines Autism as:

A neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

http://www.definitionofautism.com/

How do you know if your child is Autistic, what do you look for, so what are the signs? Where it typically appears the first three years of life, you may wonder how you will recognize it at such a young age, especially if you are a parent for the first time. I have made a list below.

Signs of Autism (related to my experience with Michael and signs that Michael didn’t have)

May avoid eye contact or not respond to their name.

I had a hard time getting Michael’s attention, even if he was in danger. If I screamed, he would not respond to it. If I simply just wanted him to look at something I couldn’t get his attention to look at it without a lot of prompting, sometimes my emotion would get his attention which I later found out was another obsession. Now I purposely use it for the good.

May have an inappropriate attachment to an object.

Michael was attached to letters at the age of two and would carry it with him all day, and at night he would sleep with it.

May spin themselves or an object they are holding.

Michael literally spun himself for hours either on his knees or tippy toes. (Still does today only not as much)

Playing inappropriately with toys or repetitive play.

Michael spun the wheels on his cars for long lengths of time; he never played with a car the way it was suppose to be played with.

Has difficulty expressing what they want or need.

Michael knew only to cry for he didn’t understand that he could point even when taught.

May repeat the same words over and over

When Michael started saying words and even sentences, you could hear that same word or sentence all day and at times it would carry into the next day or even all week.

May avoid cuddling. (Never applied to Michael)

May prefer to be by themselves.

Michael liked to go into a dark room with his flash light and use the flash light to look at objects or books. If anyone were to open the door he would become upset very quick and try shutting the door, this sometimes lasted more than 2 hours.

May have tantrums for no apparent reason.

At times Michael’s scream would terrify me thinking something fell on him but it would turn out to be a letter that fell or if an object wouldn’t do what he was trying to make it do. At times I truly didn’t have a clue what was wrong.

An overall difficulty interacting with others

Michael to this day is trying hard and is doing well whereas before Kindergarten Michael only had a selected few that he would try to interact with.

May hurt themselves (doesn’t apply to Michael)

Over or under sensitivity to pain

Michael can deal with pain like no other I know; he is an inspiration to me. Michael had surgery at birth and I still have to help empty his bowel by dilation. I can’t say I know if this is to do with under sensitivity or not because he will cry more if he falls even if there is no evidence that he is hurt, unless he is just upset that he fell.

Some children start out learning until one day it all changes. I have heard of these rare cases but for the most part you can look for signs. As soon as you think there might be something not right with your child and you see some of the signs mentioned here, be sure to take your child to the doctor.



I would also like to add that Michael never made any cooing sounds or he never rolled over until the age of one, and, he only knew about three words and he never walked until the age of two. I hope this helps.