The Centers for Disease Control reports that 1 in 150 people in the United States will be diagnosed with autism.
Autism is now recognized as the fastest growing disability in the U.S., and April has been designated Autism Awareness Month.
Tuesday morning on KARE 11 First Edition, Debra Schipper with West Metro Learning Connections discussed the signs and symptoms of Autism, as well as services that are available for families with autistic children.
Schipper says there are three core features that can help determine whether your child has austism.
Social Interaction:
Impairment in ability to make and keep friends; Impairment in group play with peers
Difficulty relating to people; Limited insight into social relationships
Lack of social reciprocity, e.g., lack of interest in or response to other children; limited joint attention; Reduced imitative social play
Reduced quality, e.g., unusual/inappropriate, social overtures and responses
Misinterprets others' behaviors and/or social cues
Limited shared enjoyment in interactions; May appear to prefer isolated or solitary activities
Lack of emotional reciprocity, e.g., doesn't offer or respond with demonstrations of affection, e.g., hugs and kisses
Limited empathy/sympathy/comments on others' emotions
Unusual eye contact, visual/social referencing, meaningful gaze, e.g., looks "through" people; shows no recognition that a person is present
Limited use of facial expressions; Lack of or limited social smiling/flat affect
Significant vulnerability and safety issues due to social naivete
Communication:
Absence or delay of spoken language
Not using finger to point or request
Using others' hand or body as a tool
Echolalia-delayed or immediate
Pronoun reversal
Repetitive language, e.g., repeats words or phrases over and over/ repeats unintelligible sounds (babbles) over and over
Odd production of speech
Idiosyncratic language
Looks away or avoids looking at speaker when name is called
Avoids asking for things he or she wants
Limited frequency of vocalization directed to others
Reduced amount of social communication
Inappropriate questions or statements
Inability to initiate or maintain conversations with peers or adults
Limited use of and/or understanding of nonverbal communication
Restricted, Repetitive or Stereotyped Patterns of Behavior and Interests
Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects/toys
Spins objects not designed for spinning (e.g., saucers, cups, glasses)
Intense, focused preoccupation with highly specific interests, conversation topics, or objects
Compulsions/insistence on following routines or rituals
Lines up objects in precise, orderly fashion and becomes upset when the order is disturbed
Over-reaction and/or under-reaction to sensory stimuli
Licks, smells, or sniffs inedible objects (e.g., person's hand, toys, books)
Rocks back and forth while seated or standing
Makes rapid lunging, darting movement when moving from place to place
Flaps hands or fingers in front of face or at sides
Repetitive hand or finger mannerisms/posturing
Responds negatively or with temper tantrums when given commands, request, or directions
Lacks true imaginative play; instead reenacts movies, shows, others' play scenarios
Rigid, rule-bound thinking
Demonstrates distress or resistance to change
Related links:
Autism Society of Minnesota
West Metro Learning Connections
(Copyright 2009 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
