| Have you noticed how some kids act differently | | | | complex structure. Finding the cause would be like |
| nowadays? Differently in the sense that they would | | | | looking for a needle in the haystack. So the answer in |
| not smile like other kids would when you say hello. Do | | | | regards to autism is mainly support. 1 out of 150 |
| not be alarmed if they do not seem to respond. It | | | | children have autism and many parents are not even |
| doesn't mean they are ignoring you but it's because | | | | aware that their kids have it. |
| these kids are simply autistic. We call these children | | | | So what do you do if you find out your kid has |
| "special." With rising cases of these "special" kids, let's | | | | autism? Since there is still no cure for it, doctors and |
| explain what exactly autism is and why everyone | | | | therapists are present to aid your child in adjusting. |
| should be aware of it. | | | | There are special education schools as well that help |
| Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. In a child | | | | your child in communicating with children of the same |
| with autism there are disturbances in his or her | | | | condition. Some therapists aid children with autism in |
| interactions with other people. The child is unresponsive | | | | communicating firsthand using either sign language or |
| to touch and affection and becomes violent when | | | | pictures. Learning communication helps children with |
| touched without permission. The autistic child has | | | | autism learn other things faster. |
| difficulty in making eye contact with the person talking | | | | Proper communication is not only what is taught to the |
| to them. Aside from disturbances in social interaction, | | | | child but proper social skills as well. Skills such as |
| the child has difficulties in expressing his desires. An | | | | greeting people, following directions, and waiting his or |
| autistic child uses an incorrect grammatical structure | | | | her own turn are taught by the therapist to the child. |
| and even repeats words over and over again. They | | | | These should also be continued at home with the |
| have stereotyped behaviors and repeat certain | | | | child's parents and siblings. Occupational therapists are |
| actions such as flapping their hands or hitting their head | | | | also needed to aid children in controlling temper |
| when they try to say something. | | | | tantrums. Children diagnosed with mild autism may |
| Autistic children experience the world in a different | | | | have the option of attending a regular school but it |
| way than most kids their age. These "special" children | | | | would be better for children with autism to adapt to a |
| typically can't communicate without special help, thus | | | | more calm surrounding which a SPED school can |
| they keep to themselves. Autism in children tends to | | | | offer. |
| make them act in an unusual manner. They have an | | | | There are cases where kids with autism who have |
| attachment to only one toy and they stick to a routine | | | | undergone treatment early live a normal life as an |
| or schedule. They do not like anything in their | | | | adult. However, some kids with severe autism need |
| environment to be disarranged and kids with autism | | | | continuous care and support that must be given not |
| react violently if they see an object or item in the | | | | only by their doctors and therapists but by their families |
| house "disturbed" from its original position. | | | | as well. Now autism would no longer be a question in |
| So what exactly causes autism? Up to now, doctors | | | | your mind and hopefully in the future you'll be a |
| have difficulty in trying to find the exact cause of | | | | supportive hand in the development of these "special" |
| autism. Since autism has been said to affect the brain | | | | children's growth. |
| it would be difficult because the human mind is a | | | | |