Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The early identification and appropriate intervention of the child with autism is very important since this disorder is disabling for both the child and the family. The characteristic developmental profile and their extreme behaviors should be the "red flags" that alert early interventionists and medical personnel to suspect the diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is a too common occurrence that families have sought numerous and various evaluations before the diagnosis is confirmed.

The social impairment can be identified by observation of several pertinent skills in toddlers under two years of age. They are the inability to:

• Demonstrate joint attention between parents and a shared toy.
• Imitate motor and speech actions.
• Produce and imitate a variety of play schemes (peek-a-boo).
• Relate appropriately to family and primary caregivers in a social setting.

The absence of these behaviors in the presence of speech/language delay, repetitive behaviors and/or atypical sensory reactions should alert the practitioner to screen for autism.

Reference: http://www.pediatricservices.com/answers/004-autism.htm

How do we identify autism in infants and in young children?

Autistic children do not socially interact very well with other people and do not communicate well. They often are very restricted in their activities and interests. A young autistic child may not make eye contact with others. As young infants, they do not seem to enjoy the normal cuddling most babies do.

When somewhat older, they may fail to develop the ability to speak at a normal rate. They do not play with toys in a usual fashion, but rather have an intense interest in twirling or spinning objects, and play in this fashion for hours at a time. In addition, they are extremely fearful when facing new situations and people, always preferring to see familiar faces. They may develop unusual, stereotyped body movements such as hand flicking, twisting, head banging or complex whole body movements.

Lesser affected youngsters may have notable abnormalities of speech. They may intone words or phrases in rhymes, verses, or accents, and they may sing melodies with unusual inflections of speech. Also, they may exhibit excessive "echolalia," or uncontrolled and immediate repetition of words or phrases spoken by another person. They may tend to prattle about meaningless conversation, such as repeating words verbatim from a television or radio advertisement.

Early intervention in diagnosing and treating youngsters suspected of being autistic can be most helpful in improving the overall prognosis. Speech and language therapy is considered extremely important. Intensive behavioral modification therapy is recognized as an essential part of a therapeutic program.

Reference: http://pediatricneurology.com/autismde.htm

Hanen Programs for Children on the Autism Spectrum

The Hanen Centre has two Programs for Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information on either program please click on the appropriate link.

More Than Words™ - The Hanen Program for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Involving Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in their child’s intervention

TalkAbility™ - The Hanen Program for Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum
Involving Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum in their child’s intervention