What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Condition

Early Signs and Recognition

Autism Spectrum Condition affects 1 in 100 people in India. Early signs in children include:

• Not responding to their name or when spoken to
• Avoiding eye contact or not turning to look at you
• Getting upset at loud sounds
• Having very specific likes/dislikes for toys, foods, or activities
• Showing repetitive behaviors (hand flapping, finger flicking, spinning)
• Preference for repetitive activities (lining up objects, spinning toys)

Understanding Autism

Key principle: Autism is not a disease requiring a cure, but a neurodevelopmental condition requiring support. The focus should be on supporting the child’s development, not fixing them.

Diversity in presentation: No two autistic children are the same. Autism can manifest as:

• Non-speaking children who avoid eye contact and show no interest in play
• Children who know alphabets, solve puzzles, but cannot hold conversations or play appropriately with peers
• Varying intelligence levels – from very smart to having learning challenges

Strengths and Abilities

Many autistic children demonstrate remarkable strengths:

• Exceptional memory for places and experiences
• Strong sense of order and organization
• Excellent recall of visual or auditory information
• Early reading abilities
• Superior memory for numbers, colors, concepts, and complex names

Co-occurring Conditions

Autistic children may also have:

• Epilepsy or seizures
• Hearing difficulties
• Learning challenges
• Attention difficulties or hyperactivity
• Anxiety issues

Support and Intervention

Parent involvement is crucial – caregivers must learn strategies to support their child’s development in communication, interaction, and play during everyday home routines.

Professional team may include:

• Developmental pediatrician: Creates individualized plans and monitors progress
• Autism intervention specialist: Supports communication, social interaction, and behaviors
• Speech therapist: Works on speech, language, chewing, and swallowing
• Occupational therapist: Helps with attention, sitting, alertness to environment
• Psychologist: Addresses behaviors, social skills, anxiety, and bullying
• Special educator: Teaches academic concepts and reading skills
• Psychiatrist: Manages medications for anxiety or sleep issues
• Child neurologist: Treats associated neurological conditions
• Counselor/Mental health specialist: Supports the entire family

Core Message

The emphasis is on celebrating neurodiversity – recognizing that people think and act differently, and that our differences are our strengths. We shouldn’t aim to make everyone uniform. With the right support, every autistic person can have a fulfilling and meaningful life. Parents know their children best and play a vital role in their development journey.

Source Ummeed.org