| Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name of the | | | | of another person's feelings, wanting to be solitary (in |
| group of serious problems with development that are | | | | their own world), and having difficulty with showing their |
| caused by a problem in a young child's brain. The | | | | feelings or emotions. |
| disorder often surfaces before the age of three, | | | | Signs in the area of language include: Not talking as |
| continuing on into adulthood. Being able to recognize | | | | early as other children, reverting in speech |
| and treat the disorder early can positively affect the | | | | development, not making eye contact when asking for |
| severity of it. All Autism forms affect communication | | | | something, may speak in an odd tone or cadence, |
| and interaction abilities with people. No one knows the | | | | inability to initiate conversations (or to maintain |
| causes of ASD, nor does anyone know how to | | | | conversation), repeating a word or phrase exactly but |
| prevent or cure it. The key is to be able to treat autism | | | | not comprehend the usage of it, difficulty in describing |
| as early as possible. | | | | their needs. |
| Symptoms and Signs: Autism reveals itself in crucial | | | | Signs in the behavioral area are: Repeating an act |
| areas of development. Children with Autism may have | | | | over and over, such as flapping of hands or rocking, |
| problems with social interaction, language and behavior. | | | | Engaged in specific routines and becoming perterbed |
| They may have difficulty learning, or have different | | | | at the interruption of these routines. The child can |
| ways of learning, difficulty with paying attention or | | | | display great interest in the moving parts of an object, |
| reacting to things. Certain behaviors might be repeated. | | | | can be overly sensitive to light, sound or touch, at the |
| Children show signs of Autism in early childhood | | | | same time not seeming to feel pain, not noticing |
| infancy. | | | | something interesting is happening (like not pointing at a |
| Common signs of Autism are, socially: having no | | | | plane flying overhead.) |
| response, or little, when a child hears their name called, | | | | Contact your doctor when your child experiences a |
| avoiding eye contact, seeming to not hear you talking, | | | | loss of skills at any age. Ask for a referral to see a |
| a resistance to being held or cuddled, perhaps only | | | | developmental-pediatrician. Acting early can make a |
| cuddling when they are so inclined, seemingly unaware | | | | real difference. |