| Autism was first described in early 1940's by a child | | | | as an alternative to hugging the child in giving comfort, |
| psychiatrist Leo Kanner. Autism is a developmental | | | | offer him his preferred toy and transport him to a |
| disorder present during the first day of life or soon | | | | safer area with a less stimulating environment. |
| after birth which is characterized by detachment from | | | | Other characteristics of an autistic child includes not |
| reality. It is the worst classification of Progressive | | | | capable to differentiate self his environment, thus the |
| Developmental Disorder. Autism can typically be tested | | | | child talks about himself in third person, slow maturity of |
| and diagnosed when the child is in toddlerhood, about | | | | self-help activities, like feeding himself, wearing his |
| 1-3 years of age wherein at this stage, the child should | | | | clothes on, and using the toilet, difficulty in learning to |
| be demonstrating an interest in communication verbally, | | | | communicate and sometimes these children repeats |
| possesses the capability to become skilled on his | | | | the last word you have just said to them or at worst, |
| surroundings which an autistic child fails to perform. | | | | being mute; they do not reply to people or other |
| From 1940's to 1960's, child psychiatrist believes the | | | | environmental stimulus, which causes no eye contact |
| mother of autistic child is the primary reason for the | | | | for the most part of conversation. They love to |
| emergence of this condition. The mother and child | | | | stereotype body actions like shaking, spinning, hand |
| attachment has been linked in this issue since studies | | | | flapping, and repetitive activities while they stick to |
| during these times shows that "refrigerator parents" | | | | habits and rituals with hatred to changes. |
| who are passive and indifferent somehow contribute | | | | The focus of care among children with autism is more |
| to the autistic behavior of these children. Later, experts | | | | on safety. Parents should be taught about safety |
| come up with one theory that autism is caused by | | | | measures at home. Autistic child may not be familiar |
| many factors such as hereditary, viral agents during | | | | with hazards because of their impaired logical maturity. |
| pregnancy, metabolic disorders like phenylketunuria, | | | | In giving instructions to a child about safety, one should |
| immune tolerance and problems during pregnancy like | | | | build up habit not judgment. Measures include locking all |
| anoxia. | | | | doors and gates when child sleepwalks during night |
| Classically, a child with autism keeps away from | | | | time, wrapping the child's arm with a blanket if he is |
| individual contact like crying while being hugged, | | | | engaged in biting his arms, using helmet if he is fond of |
| stiffening when being held in the parent's arms and | | | | head banging, pads corners of all furniture at home if |
| playing on his own which seems like he has his own | | | | the child is clumsy because this might be a cause of |
| world. Unlike other normal toddlers, autistic kids are not | | | | skin breaks, head injury and other accidents. The home |
| calmed by being held or cuddled. That's why in dealing | | | | environment should be highly structured and changed |
| with these circumstances, during tantrums for example, | | | | to provide the best way to keep the child safe. |