What to Know About Autism in Kids

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of conditions that affect a child's development. They often struggle with communicating and might lack conventional social skills. Signs of autism vary widely but typically affect a child’s behaviors, communication, and social skills.

While some autistic children might only exhibit mild symptoms, others might experience severe symptoms that affect their daily functioning. Diagnosing and treating autism as early as possible gives the child the best chance of success in life.

Autistic children are more likely to develop conditions like depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, and anxiety. About 1 out of 160 children in the world today have ASD.

This article looks into what you need to know if your child is autistic and what treatment options are available to you.

Symptoms of Autism in Children

Autistic children experience a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms of autism will look different from one child to another. Signs of the condition might sometimes look different in girls than it does in boys.

Girls with autism appear to be quieter and better at "masking" their symptoms, making diagnosing autism in girls a little more complicated than in boys. Signs of autism will also look a little different in younger children than in older children.

Signs of autism in younger children

• Not responding to their name when called
• Being unable to get your attention when they want it
• Being unable to follow visual objects
• Resiting attempts to cuddle or make physical contact
• Being unable to imitate facial expressions or movements of people around them
• Being unable to communicate even with baby talk

Signs of autism in older children

• Is unresponsive or hostile when you try to touch them
• Finds it challenging to understand emotional cues
• Has difficulty communicating their needs
• Avoids making eye contact with other people
• Has difficulty making friends
• Preferring to remain in isolation than interact with other people
• Sticking to a strict routine and getting upset when that routine is disrupted

How Autism Is Diagnosed in Children

There is no specific medical test used to diagnose ASD in children. However, specific diagnostic tools can be used to detect autism in children from as young as age two.

Making an early diagnosis of ASD can facilitate earlier treatment, which helps children with this condition cope better.

Some signs a doctor will look out for in children when trying to determine if they have ASD include: - Being unable to make eye contact - Not having spoken by 16 months - Speaking very little or speaking in an unusual voice - If they aren’t able to communicate with their hands by the time the age of one - If they seem to be losing social or language skills - Exhibiting repetitive behavior such as repeating every word they hear or repeating a particular gesture repeatedly

What Causes Autism in Children?

It’s difficult to pinpoint what causes autism in either children or adults. There are, however, multiple risk factors that are thought to contribute to the development of the condition.

Environmental and genetic factors have been identified as the most likely culprits. There has been substantial evidence linking autism to genetic factors, but no specific gene has been identified to cause the disorder. The odds are that many different genes could cause the condition. Research does show that the brains of autistic children look a little different from those of children who do not have the condition. In the early years, the brains of autistic children appear to grow faster than those of other children. It’s not clear what causes this accelerated growth, but it affects the way the brain behaves.

Historically, vaccines have been wrongly linked to the development of autism in children. However, there have been decades of research put into debunking this notion. There are no vaccines that can be linked to autism in children or put them at risk of developing the condition.

How Autism Is Treated in Children

There is currently no cure for autism. However, with the proper treatment, its symptoms can be adequately managed. The treatment for ASD in children depends on the severity of their symptoms.

Medication

• There’s no medication specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of autism.
• However, certain medications might be prescribed for the treatment of specific symptoms or conditions that might have developed as a result of autism.

Therapy

• Different forms of therapies are used to treat autism in children. The form of therapy used is dependent on the child’s unique needs.
• The following therapies are most commonly used for treating autism: Occupational Therapy:

  Occupational therapy aims to equip autistic children with skills to function in their day-to-day lives. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Research shows that ABA is one of the most effective forms of therapy for autistic children, whether they exhibit mild or severe symptoms. It equips children with communication and social skills to help them interact with other people.

Tips for Parents With Autistic Children

Raising an autistic child can sometimes be challenging. While ASD can be managed with the right treatment, there’s no cure for it. This means it’s a lifelong condition, and people who have it need to manage it constantly.

Here are some tips you can employ to help your child manage their condition:

• Provide your child with a safe and supportive environment.
• Set clear and consistent rules for your child.
• Be patient and understanding.
• Encourage your child to develop their interests.
• Get involved in your child's education.
• Seek professional help if needed.