Autism is often easily overlooked — here’s how to spot the early signs, and ways to help your child. Early intervention is key!
We get it, no parent wants to admit that their child might be different from others. However, look at it this way: every child is unique and special in their own way, they just might need a little more help or time to truly shine!
In recent times, the incidence of autism has been on the rise among children. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which heavily affects the way they interact and communicate with others. Autism presents differently in every child, with the severity of their symptoms ranging from mild to severe on a spectrum (hence the syndrome’s name!).
In such cases, early intervention is key — but how exactly can parents recognise the early signs, and how can they best support their child? We spoke to Ms. Woo Mei Hui, Senior Educational Psychologist at Promises Healthcare, to deep-dive into everything there is to know about ASD.
What are some signs that a child might have autism?
We know that every child develops at their own pace. But, if by 18 months, your child hasn’t spoken any single words or hasn’t had any spontaneous (non-echoed) two-phrases by 24 months, you might want to consult a professional.
You can also look at how they play: if they hardly engage in pretend and imaginative play, or display rigid and repetitive behaviours, that might be a symptom of autism. Another sign would be a lack of interest in people, or a general ambivalence towards engaging with others. This can be observed as poor eye contact, not using gestures to communicate, or not pointing to show interest.
How can autism impact a child’s development?
Communication is generally a two-way street but, a child with ASD will often encounter difficulties in understanding what other people want or in expressing themselves. Ideas may be two-dimensional to them, as they more often than not interpret things a little too literally.
When this inadvertently causes misunderstandings or conflicts, a child with autism is likely to not have the emotional maturity and capacity to cope with the situation. They may also act out — with their emotions bubbling over in the form of meltdowns — if a comforting routine is changed or taken away from them. This might just seem as if the child is misbehaving but really, this is when they need our help the most!
When it comes to daily life, children with ASD also struggle with executive functioning. They find it hard to get a grasp on organising, prioritising, or managing their time, which impacts daily tasks or school work.
Does the environment impact children with autism?
Individuals with ASD have difficulties with sensory processing as well. Think of them being on high alert all the time: they’re more sensitive than usual to sounds, textures, tastes, smell, and light.
Noisy or crowded places are a hard no, and they might have certain preferences that they strictly adhere to. For example, being fussy about what they eat, and being very reluctant to try new foods. This is coupled with high levels of stress and anxiety when they’re confronted with situations that they can’t predict, and thus feel out of control.
Can autism be isolating?
Definitely! When a child with ASD is not able to properly interact with others, their peers might find it frustrating to engage with them — especially when the conversation is usually one-sided. The child will usually end up being ostracised or bullied and, worst of all, not even understand why other people are reacting this way.
In fact, ASD is not only isolating for the child, but also for their families. The family often has to adjust their schedules (and probably their entire lives!) to accommodate their child. This naturally causes stress levels to spike, with many parents feeling hopelessly overwhelmed. Parent caregiver burnout is real too: here’s how to spot the signs and support them in the long-term.
Autism myths: debunked
If you think that children with autism are all the same, think again. They’re classified on a spectrum: there are high-functioning ASD individuals who are able to attend mainstream schools. However, there are also low-functioning non-verbal ASD individuals, who would benefit more from special education.
Autism is unfortunately not just a phase that can be grown out of. It’s a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, and will continue to persist for the child’s entire life. Despite this, with early intervention (plus the understanding and empathy that they silently cry out for), someone with autism can be very functional!
Interestingly, many also believe autism individuals are born with a special ability or savant skill as well. While this may be observed for some, it’s not a blanket statement that applies to all ASD children.
Most importantly, how can a parent support a child with autism?
If you have some concerns, it might be wise to bring your child to a paediatrician, psychiatrist, or psychologist. There’s nothing wrong with doing a screening to find out if there’s anything that warrants a more in-depth check.
Take your time to thoroughly assess the various avenues of early intervention. Speech, occupational, and behavioural therapies have proven to be immensely beneficial for children with autism. That being said, there’s no one-size-fits-all policy; every child is different, and it’d be best to work with professionals to devise a personalised game plan that will work for your child.
Suspect your child might have ASD? Bookmark this step-by-step early intervention checklist
- Refer your child to a professional for a check, which might lead to a comprehensive and formal assessment.
- Either get a referral to government-funded early intervention support, or get help from specialists in private practice.
- Take the time to understand the individual education plan (IEP) and goals set for your child, and ensure that there’s consistency between action plans taken at school, home, and therapy.
- Meet your child where they are: use different tools to help your child understand you and the world around them, such as using visual aids, or walking them through what’s expected in common social situations.
- Observe and monitor your child’s progress, and maintain close communication with the professional working with your child.
- Finally, celebrate the small wins. Every baby step is still a step forward!
For professional mental health support, look to Promises Healthcare. Founded in 2011, it specialises in psychiatric and psychological services for all ages. Ms. Woo Mei Hui, in particular, specialises in working with families of young children who suspect their child has ASD, or has already been diagnosed with ASD, for assessment and intervention, so you’ll be in good hands.
Did you know that autism can affect both adults and children? Check out its renowned autism testing, and consult its highly-qualified personnel to learn more. With the right help and strategies, children with ASD can live very fulfilling lives — which is all that they deserve!
This post is in partnership with Promises Healthcare.
