In our previous blog we indicated that we would provide you with useful information and tips to help increase awareness of autism. Here, we aim to provide you with more information related to autism. Though not necessarily limited to the following, people with a diagnosis of autism often present with difficulty in the following areas:
- socialization
- emotional/behavioral regulation
- verbal language
- non-verbal language
- transitions to and from activities
- changes in routine
- joint attention
- maintenance of acquired skills
SOCIALIZATION
Reading social cues from others and reacting to social cues from others, e.g., knowing how to engage others; how to initiate relationships with others through play and/or discussion. Initiating, maintaining, and closing interactions is often challenging.
EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL REGULATION
Managing one’s reactions to stressful situations, e.g., learning and using self-soothing tricks and techniques. Some people with autism may have extreme difficulty managing their reactions to changes in routine and with unsuccessful communication attempts.
VERBAL LANGUAGE
Understanding and using spoken words to engage with others, e.g., acknowledging questions or commands; speaking to have one’s wants or needs met. Achievement
NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE
Understanding and using body language or gestures to interact with others, e.g., waving bye; responding to another person’s smile or wave. Non verbal language also includes eye gaze
RESTRICTED INTERESTS/DIFFICULTY WITH TRANSITIONS/CHANGES IN ROUTINE
Smoothly flowing from one activity to another can be a challenge. People with autism often insist on sameness or repetition of activities. Changes, especially those changes that occur without notice are often difficult to manage for people with autism.
JOINT ATTENTION
Verbally or non-verbally sharing in an event with another, e.g., visually acknowledging another individual with an eye gaze, looking towards the event, and returning eye gaze to the individual.
REGRESSION
Loss of previously acquired knowledge or skills.
Some additional areas that sometimes present challenges:
Self-care
Sensory over-stimulation or under-stimulation
Development of play skills
Understanding and using humor
Understanding and using figurative language
Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the National Alliance on Mental Illness for more information. Please consult with your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s development.
