What is it?
- Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in language, socialization, repetitive actions and sensory differences.
Key Features
- Autism is a combination of characteristics
- Inconsistent eye-contact
- May prefer to play alone
- They have repetitive actions such as like playing a certain way, prefer routines, preferably like only one toy
- They have sensory differences – hand flapping, jumping, may dislike loud sounds or bright lights, selective eater, may be hypo or hyper sensitive to light, touch and sound.
- Regression in social and language skills between 1.5-2.5 years of age
- Excessive screen time can mimic features of autism or lead to increased severity
- Each person with ASD may exhibit different combinations and severities of features.
Language Characteristics
- Delayed language skills
- Loss of words
- Echolalia
- Can label pictures but struggles asking for wants and needs
- Pronoun errors
- Decreased use of gestures
- No intonation, have difficulty understanding abstract language and sarcasm
Treatment
- Speech-language therapy improves the child’s ability to understand and use language, also helps parents improve the child’s motivation for communication.
- Occupational therapy works on the child’s sensory issues thereby improving attention, sitting tolerance, and overall cognition
Leave a Reply