About Autism
What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder or Autism is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates with and relates with other people.
Autism is also called Autism Spectrum Disorder because it belongs to a stretch of other conditions or disorders including learning disability, epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Autism in children
Autism is normally detected during the first three years of a child’s life. A child is presumed to be Autistic if he/she does not show the normal developmental signs of children of his or her age. Normal developmental signs include eye contact, using one, two, three words syllables or even short sentences.
Who does autism affect?
Autism can affect anyone. But it is mostly detected during the first three years of a child’s developmental life.
Can I seek spiritual help for my child's condition?
You can seek spiritual help for your Autistic child. Make sure you do so with child’s protection consideration in mind. Your child’s health and safety must always come first. Also, remember Autistic children can suffer anxiety in certain environments. Have this in mind and make sure your action relates to your child’s needs.
Autism is a life-long developmental disorder. It is not caused by witches or any evil force. Your child is not possessed. With the right support, your child can live a normal life.
What causes autism?
Autism has no known cause but has been linked to natural tendencies (genetics) and the environment.
Researchers believe certain genes a child inherits from his/her parents could make them prone to having Autism.
Researchers also believe a child could be prone to Autism if they are born prematurely or exposed to alcohol or certain medications while in the womb.
What to do if you susspect your child is autistic?
If you notice your child is not showing normal developmental signs like his/her mates. It is best advised you speak with your doctor about it. A paediatrician will be able to advise what next action you could take to manage your child’s condition.
How to manage ASD?
Autism can be managed with the help of speech and language therapists. There are also nutritional considerations that can reduce Autism related anxiety.
Signs of ASD in children
Delayed speech in children or not speaking at all
Repeating words and phrases
using single words instead of a sentence
Speaking ‘at’ people rather than ‘with’ people.
Avoiding to use sentence
children with ASD don’t normally respond when their names are called.
They are not aware of other people’s ‘personal space’ and are intolerant to other people entering their ‘personal space’.
They rarely use facial expression
They avoid eye contact
They do not enjoy interacting with other people. They enjoy being on their own.
They play with toys repetitively
They have repetitive movement such as flapping their hands.
They have a strong like or dislike for certain food depending on the colour or texture of it.
They take every speech literarily and do not understand sarcasm or metaphor in speech.
They do not normally understand social interaction such as when to say hello, goodbye, to speak or be quiet.