Autism Symptoms, Education and Support Resources

Children disabilities often include autism. Autism is becoming a more common disability among children; however, more interventions and research are being offered to aid in the understanding and acceptance of children with all forms of disabilities. In small communities, finding and accessing services to autism children are often difficult.

When one is able to locate a service, support group, or event, usually the family has to travel to more populated areas to participate. Without a doubt, raising a child with a disability can be difficult, but with the mindset and drive every parent is instilled with, the task becomes a feat of love and glory.

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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Autism ?

Among the literature are exceedingly vast collections of information relating to autism and the signs associated with the disability. Furthermore, doctors, teachers, and specialists are available in most communities or regions and learning the signs and symptoms has become a common habit for parents with newborn children. For simple clarification, the following offers a basic list of the most common signs and symptoms for children with autism.

  • Children with autism will oftentimes avoid looking at another person directly in the eyes for more than a few short seconds, if they make any eye contact at all.
  • Children with autism will oftentimes behave in a manner where certain objects or items are very irritating, frustrating, and aggravating to touch, smell, hold, or acknowledge. For example, a small child with autism may have a difficult time brushing their teeth because of the sensation the toothbrush gives them on their gums and teeth.
  • Too often, children with autism may exhibit gastrointestinal irritabilities and may not be able to tolerate certain food products.
  • A child with autism may engage in many self-stimulating behaviors including swaying back and forth, flicking their fingers in the air repeatedly, or using an object in a certain way for hours at a tim (for example, hitting a spoon on a pan or rolling a ball for long periods of time).
  • Most children with severe autistic traits will not be able to use verbal skills. Quite often, this includes being able to talk and communicate with phrases and conversations.

Parents can Learn More about Autism

When a family is aware that their child has autism, oftentimes the first question they ask is how they can help their child overcome or function more healthily. Again, the research and literature in the field of autism is vast; however, there are some common educational interventions that have become popular among the medical, psychological, and helping professions to assist children with autism.

The most common use of intervention for children with autism includes the application of Applied Behavior Modification (ABA). The Association for Applied Behavior Modification is one of the international sources for learning about ABA. Also, the Autism Society of America also offers information relating to common interventions for children with autism and sources of information to autism topic.

Raising a child with autism can be challenging but at the same time rewarding. Children disabilities, including autism, come in different forms (spectrums) of intensity of behaviors. The most rewarding task any parent can undergo is the concept of educating themselves about the characteristics and techniques for working with their child with autism.