What are the Symptoms of Autism in Children
Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a diagnosis that describes children who have difficulties in the areas of social interaction, communication, and social imagination.
According to the Irish Autism Society, difficulties are present in the following areas:
- Language/Communication
- Social Interaction
- Play
- Repetitive behaviour
- Sensory Impairment
Warning Signs of Autism
According to Autism Speaks, you should ask your child’s doctor about autism if you are concerned about any of these issues:
- No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
- No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
- No babbling by 12 months
- No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
- No words by 16 months
- No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
- Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Source: AUTISM SPEAKS
Speech Therapy & Autism
Speech Therapy is individualised according to the client’s needs. There is no single approach that will work for each client.
Therapy may include a programme to target social skills (play, turn taking, eye contact, topic maintenance).
Speech therapy for Autistic Children
Therapy may target language development e.g. Hanen More Than Words programme was specifically designed to provide parents of children who have autism with strategies to promote their child’s language development in naturalistic contexts.
Therapy for non-verbal children may include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This could range from Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) to advanced communications programmes for Ipads/Android Tablets.
Often, Speech Therapists will take an eclectic approach using many different approaches and therapy techniques to promote the overall development of a child with Autism.
To find out more about the symptoms of autism in children, book an assessment today.