Welcome to another edition of Therapy Talk with Fun Factory Sensory Gym. APRIL is Autism Acceptance Month, so I wanted to give you a rundown of what Autism is and what types of characteristics you might see with this condition.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, typically first identified in children, usually around 2-3 years of age (depending on early signs/symptoms and appropriate/timely referrals). Autism is best described, in my opinion, as a brain difference! Autism is very much a combination of characteristics, including, differences in social and language skills, alongside repetitive actions, special interests, and sensory differences, as well. Now, a child with Autism may present with challenges in just one, two, or any total combination of these areas.
Now, let's break down these characteristics:
Social Differences:
1. May prefer to play alone and to not interact with peers
2. Decreased environmental awareness or attention to personal space
3. Decreased or inconsistent use of eye contact
4. Difficulty maintaining focus on conversation to participate in communication with peers or adults
5. Decreased pragmatic skills
Language Differences:
1. Language delays
2. Echolalic speech (repeating others)
3. Scripting (reciting words or phrases they have previously heard, but are now out of context)
4. May be able to label pictures, but difficulty with asking for needs or wants
5. Regression in language skills (loss of words)
Repetitive Actions:
1. Preferred topics, toys/objects, and special interests
2. Perseveration on same activity
3. May prefer to play in the same way with all toys, such as lining up or rolling objects on the floor, or picking up and dropping over and over again
4. Prefer routine, difficulty with change
Sensory Differences:
1. Aversions to certain textures, tags in clothes, shoes on feet, grass, soap on hands, food on fingers or face, etc.
2. Sensitivity to loud noises and covering ears
3. Hand flapping and repetitive jumping
4. Sensory seeking (likes spinning, being flipped upside down, crashing into things, pushing feet into surfaces or parents, squeezing)
Now, remember, these are only SOME of the characteristics that you MIGHT see in children with Autism. My main goal is that you have gained a better understanding of what Autism is with this blog post. If you have any concerns that your child may have some challenges or differences in any of these areas, it does not mean that they will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, it is worth bringing up to your pediatrician if you notice any of these characteristics beginning to develop in your little one. They may be appropriate for further follow up testing to rule out this developmental disorder. Go with your gut...you know your child best!
If you have any further questions, feel free to follow me on Instagram at @tips_and_pediatricks and send me a DM with your questions. I'd be more than happy to answer!
By Dr. Darcy Fass, PT, DPT @tips_and_pediatricks
