Exclusive Autism Checklist For Babies And Preschoolers
21st July 2021
How a child plays, acquires, speaks, behaves, and moves, all of these aspects offer significant signs about the child’s growth. If your child is identified with autism spectrum disorder, there's a lot to learn to help and nurture your child. Early intervention and positive behavioral support help children with special needs significantly.
Understanding Autism
Remember, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) generally looks different in different individuals. ASD is a developmental special need that affects the way we communicate, behave, or interrelate with others. Till now, there’s no single cause for it, and indications can be very mild or very severe. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a wide-ranging term used to pronounce a group of neurodevelopmental difficulties.
Some children began displaying ASD signs as young as a few months old. On the other hand, others appear to have usual development for the first few months and then they start showing ASD symptoms. Nevertheless, ASD usually has indications throughout the lives, but it’s better if early intervention can be done.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source, autism does occur more often in boys than in girls, with a 4 to 1 male-to-female ratio.
There are different types of ASD -
Now, healthcare professionals classified Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the following categories -
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Asperger’s syndrome
- Childhood disintegrative special need
- Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise quantified
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Symptoms of Autism
Autistic children can experience the following challenges:
- Face problems in communicating and interrelating with others
- Exhibiting repetitive actions
- Experience difficulty functioning in numerous areas of their daily life
- Little or inconsistent eye contact
- A flat tone of voice
- Sensory sensitivities
- Strong interests in precise things
- Issues in sleeping
To receive an ASD diagnosis, a child must display three symptoms at least.
While the exact cause of ASD is still unknown, however, some of the suspected risk factors for autism include:
- Being born to older parents
- Low birth weight
- Metabolic disproportions
- Having an immediate family member with ASD
- Genetic transformations
- History of viral contaminations
- Contact with heavy metals and environmental poisons
- Fetal exposure to the medicines valproic acid (Depakene) or thalidomide (Thalomid)
Checklist to Help an ASD Child
Learn about few helpful steps for your baby, toddler, or preschooler who’s being diagnosed with ASD -
Know the Education Services
According to federal law, children younger than 3 and have been identified with special needs, are authorized to additional support to help them reach progressive milestones. These authorized additional services are termed ‘early intervention’ and presented through an individualized family service plan (IFSP).
Generally, the child learns with the help of therapists at home or day care in the early intervention process. Here, parents and caregivers also learn how to aid improve their child's language and communication. Various skills like making eye contact, answering others with signs or language, etc. are being focused on. Thus, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation or visit the state-specific contact info for the early intervention program.
Understand Your Child's Requirements
No two kids with ASD are similar, therefore while consulting with doctors or therapists, ask lots of questions about autism and clear your doubts. Children with autism usually have language delays or problems in communicating with others. They use infrequent or repetitive behaviors to convey their needs.
Moreover, some children with ASD may have other situations like seizures, gastrointestinal problems, and trouble sleeping. If you are comfortable with your kid's autism diagnosis, learn about treatment opportunities that generally include therapy and education services.
IEPs and 504 Plans
It is necessary to know about IEPs and 504 plans. Kids who do not meet the requirements for an IEP may be able to get educational support through a 504-education plan. This provides provision in a regular classroom to aid with learning. Children with autism age 3 or older can get an individualized education program (IEP) from their resident school district. IEP plan will sketch the need for requirements like speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), or a classroom supporter to help with positive behavioral choices.
Also, according to the law and administration, childcare providers cannot distinguish against children with special needs. So, find a childcare if you need but make sure the service provider has the assistance and setting essential to securely accommodate your child.
Make a Schedule
Make a plan and stick to it. Kids with autism have a habit of performing best when they have a highly structured timetable or routine. Yet again, this goes back to the constancy they both need and desire. Prepare a schedule for your kid, include consistent times for meals, therapy, school, and time for bed. Try to keep disturbances to this routine to a least. If there is an unescapable schedule modification, formulate your kid for it in advance.
Find Ways to Connect
We understand this can be challenging but the way you look at your kid, by the quality of your voice, your body language, the way you touch your child, all matters a lot. You will notice your child is also interacting with you, even if he or she never tells, it’s just you just need to learn the language.
Try to pick up on the nonverbal signs that kids with ASD use to communicate. Pay close attention to the varieties of sounds they make, their facial expressions, and their motions. Throwing a tantrum is their mode of communicating their frustration and getting your attention. Make time for fun as play is an indispensable part of learning for all children, isn’t it?
Identify -
- Your child’s strengths and weaknesses
- What actions are causing the most difficulties?
- How does your child study best?
- What does your child like the most?
Final Thoughts
Finally, accept your child. Focus on treatments and your responsibilities rather than just focusing on how your autistic child is dissimilar from other children. Feeling loved and acknowledged will help your child more than anything else. All of these aspects can be acquired by the teaching assistant special needs courses. Don’t give up as it’s impossible to forecast the development of autism spectrum disorder. Get professional support when you requireit and secure your loved child’s future!
Written By : Victoria Lewis
