Isn't it Autism?
Tips on recognizing signs of autism in your child
by Shannon Nash

Shannon King Nash, the proud mother of an autistic boy takes you through her journey of loving, caring and helping a child with special needs. Approximately one out of five children under the age of 18 has a developmental disability or neurological disorder – some 10 million children. Most people know a child that is suffering from some disability, but many don’t know where to turn for helpful information. In the Special Needs Journey, Ms. Nash covers a myriad of issues affecting children with special needs in the hopes of inspiring everyone to see the beauty of all children. From diagnosis, treatments and therapies, special education, and coping with daily life, this column will empower parents, family members, professionals and friends to help these children reach their fullest potential.




My Special Boy
We knew something was wrong with our son when he was 2 years old. Although from all outward appearances he seemed normal, something internally was a little off. From an obsession with lining up toy cars to true fears of the sun, walking on grass and electronic toys, my son was just plain strange. Couple this with the fact that he would not make eye contact, talk or barely communicated his wants or needs, and it was painfully obvious that he was significantly developmentally delayed.

I'm happy to report that by knowing the autism warning signs we were able to get him diagnosed early. This led to crucial early intervention services -- services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, listening therapy and a special pre-school class geared toward children with developmental delays. These services have drastically improved his social skills -- no more fears of the sun. He also communicates his wants and he finally talks! In fact, he will be starting in a normal kindergarten class this fall. None of this would have been possible if we hadn't recognized the autism sign.

The Autism Signs
Dr. Samantha King, a pediatrician in South Boston, Virginia, emphasizes that every parent should become familiar with the autism sign. An official autism diagnosis is made by a medical doctor (pediatrician or family practitioner) or psychologist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV in layman's terms). In fact, autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months old.

The following is a list of autism signs. A child must have two of the following signs in each of three categories (six or more in total).

Social Development Category (Need at least 2)

Problems with nonverbal behavior

EXAMPLE: This includes lack of eye contact, facial expressions, body posture and gestures. My son turned his head and avoided our eyes when we spoke to him. He also did not understand facial expressions and would laugh when he saw me crying.

Failure to make friends with other children

EXAMPLE: The child always wants to play alone, acts aloof or doesn't want to socialize with other children.

Does not share objects with others for enjoyment

EXAMPLE: My son loved toy cars but would not point to them in a store or bring them to me when he found one.

Lack of social and emotional give and take

EXAMPLE: The child doesn't smile when you smile at him or doesn't seem happy when he sees his parents enter into the room

Communication Category (Need at least 2)

A delay in talking

EXAMPLE: It may appear as if the child is not listening or is deaf. By 18 months old my son was not using single or double words to communicate his wants or needs. He also would not answer simple questions with yes or no (or for that matter, shake or nod his head for yes or no).

Does not initiate or sustain conversation with others

EXAMPLE: The child can speak but often only when spoken to and often uses one-word responses.

Echoes phrases, words, songs or other language

EXAMPLE: Known as echolalia, this is when the child echoes words without actually understanding them. We would ask my son questions such as, "How old are you?" He would reply, "are you."

Lack of pretend or imaginative play

EXAMPLE: The child does not pretend when playing with his toys -- such as making a toy airplane fly in the air.



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