Autism

Conversation class
What is Autism?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad
range of conditions characterized by challenges with social
skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal
communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control,
autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United
States today.
Cause
Several factors may influence the development of autism, and
it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical
issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep
disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety,
depression and attention issues.

Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated

development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can
be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early
intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people
with autism.
Autism treatments and
therapists
Autism treatment therapy or autism therapies are extremely
effective. They not only help reduce symptoms, but also greatly
improve a person’s ability to communicate and take care of
themselves.
Symptoms
Social skill

One of the most common areas where autistic children struggle is with their
social skills. This is something that’s seen in everyday life. In a toddler it may
exhibit itself as:

Not responding to their own name

Avoiding eye contact
A strong preference to play by themselves
Has flat facial expressions
Avoids or resists physical contact
Isn’t comforted by their parents during times of distress
A lack of interest in the world around them
Failure to copy words and actions
Not clapping or waving goodbye
Not wanting to play peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
Unusual Interests and
Behaviors
People with autism are known to have unusual interests and
behaviors. Your toddler may demonstrate this by:

-Lining up their toys

-Playing with their toys in the exact same way every time
-Preferring to play with a specific part of a toy like its wheel
-Getting upset by minor changes to their routine
-Flapping their hands, rocking their body, or spinning in
circles
Developmental Delays
Toddlers who have autism will have delays in the
development of some of their skills, but not in
others. The skills that are affected varies
depending on the child as each one develops
differently. You may also notice that they’ll learn a
harder skill before learning an easier one.

Of course, it’s important to understand that each

child develops at their own pace so you shouldn’t
rush into making a diagnosis.
Question
1.Have you ever seen the autism child?
2.Do you know anyone who is hyperactive and sometimes
he/she keeps avoiding eye contact?
3.Mention some unusual behaviors related to the autism
child.
4.What can cause the symptoms.
5.What do you think the autism signs start at which age?