Autism in Children

Having a child means your world revolves around them. You put your own needs on hold for them. Document everything and share pictures and videos with loved ones. Play with them, feed them, bathe them. Sometimes, everything is going well, and you do your routine as usual. But, what happens if you’ve noticed something unusual? What if there’s something about your child’s behavior or development that seems a bit off? Could it be autism? What are the signs and symptoms? And, what can you do to help?

What is autism?

Autism is an umbrella term that refers to several conditions from the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Each of the disorders varies from person to person, and they can affect a person’s motor skills, speech, as well as social and communication skills. Depending on where the child is on the spectrum, autism could range from non-verbal and need assistance doing the most basic needs to be being high-functioning and living a relatively normal life.

Signs and symptoms of autism generally become apparent in early childhood — usually around the ages of two or three. Early intervention is crucial to provide you with the best strategies to raise your child.

Causes of Autism

Autism is the result of abnormalities in the brain, which can be seen in brain scans of children with ASD. Although there are theories that these abnormalities may be caused by environmental factors, toxins, and/or genetics, there is no conclusive evidence.

Types of Autism Disorders

There are several types of autism — also referred to as pervasive developmental disorders — all within the autism spectrum. While they are sometimes referred to by their individual names, since 2013, the American Psychiatric Association has grouped them all together into the single term autism spectrum disorder.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Childhood disintegrative disorders consist of conditions where children start to develop normally, then begin losing motor skills and experience speech problems. Children with this type of autism also experience seizures.

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger syndrome (AS) is characterized by repetitive patterns of behavior, restricted interests, and difficulty with social interactions. People with AS are also more prone to experience anxiety and depression.

High-Functioning Autism

Children with high-functioning autism develop skills to live an independent life as adults. They can speak, read, write, and do activities of daily living — such as taking care of personal hygiene and working.

Signs of Autism in Children

Since there are so many types of autism, signs and symptoms vary greatly from one child to another. They are also categorized according to communication, behavioral, and/or social patterns. Some of the most common ones include:

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms

Avoiding eye contact
Rocking back and forth
Headbanging
Motor control difficulties — such as with reflexes and coordinating movements
Repetitive movements — such as flapping their hands, jumping, or twirling
Trouble controlling emotions
Emotional breakdowns

Communication Signs and Symptoms

Speech delays
Repetitive language
Inability to engage in verbal communication
Repeating questions instead of answering them
Difficulty communicating their needs
Having a flat voice

Social Signs and Symptoms

Inability to empathize
Strong dislike to physical contact
Lack of interest in sharing activities with others
Inability to develop relationships with peers
Lack of expressing emotions

Children with ASD also tend to prefer rigid routines — such as lining their toys up in a specific order, doing daily activities in the same order every single day, or watching their favorite movies and/or going on their favorite theme park ride several times in a row. They may also have trouble understanding the concept of time.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism in Children

During regular pediatric checkups, your child’s doctor will verify whether your child is developing normally or whether they are experiencing delays. This includes observing the child during social interactions, their ability to communicate, and social and behavioral cues. If there are signs of ASD, the pediatrician will refer the child to a specialist — such as a pediatric neurologist or developmental pediatrician.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disorder your child is experiencing. They could include:

Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Educational therapy
Medications

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care in Florida

It can be hard to balance your time between work, home, and caring for a child. That’s why our team of skilled professionals at Sonas Home Health are here to help.

Our home care services offer support in the comfort of your home. We refer loving and competent caregivers to provide customized care for families — from a few hours a day to around-the-clock supervision. Contact us directly to speak with a home health care professional or request a free in-home assessment. Together we can determine the best plan of action to keep your loved ones happy and healthy.

If you or a loved one are considering Pediatric Home Health Care Services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today at (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.