Autism and At-Risk Behaviors

Autism and At-Risk Behaviors

Classical autism, a subgroup of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), is a complex, neurological disorder generally occurring with the first three years of life. According to a Mayo Clinic Report, approximately three to six children out of 1,000 have autism. However, it’s possible that ratio is even greater. We do know that the numbers have gone up dramatically over the last quarter century.

Researchers are still not entirely sure of the reason for the dramatic increase in diagnoses of autism, although quite a few believe that it is actually a sign of doctor’s becoming more aware and diagnosing the disorder properly. Whatever the case, autism still is shrouded in mystery, and leaders in the autism research field are still trying to determine what causes autism.

What they do know, however, is that there are certain indications that will show a child is in the “at risk” category. Few doctors will diagnose a child with autism before the age of three due to a wide variance in normal human development. However, there are certain signs of autism that can be observed prior to age three that will put a child in the at risk category. They are:

1. Lack of social ability. Many children with autism have a difficult time interacting with other children. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “…a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item…” Parents are frequently the first to put two-and-two together, seeing an unusual reluctance to play or even be interested in other children.

2. Communication. Many people who are autistic have a difficult time communicating, both verbally and non-verbally. If a child is not able to have some sort of interrogative with his parent, either through simple grunts or hand gestures, this may be a sign a child is at risk.

3. Obsessive behaviors and interests. Although obsessive–compulsive disorder has become a bit of a cocktail party joke, parents with an autistic child know just how debilitating a problem it can be. Children who are at risk are more likely to become obsessed with an inanimate object such as a door or sofa than they are likely to be interested in interacting with a peer.

Just because your child might exhibit all three signs does not mean that he or she will be autistic, and it does not mean your autistic child cannot lead a quality life. There is new research coming out every day which shows that by beginning to work with at-risk children, in an effort to get them as comfortable as possible with peer interaction, is helpful in lessening or preventing future behavioral and anti-social difficulties.

As we learn more about autism, we can begin to counteract many of its effects so our children can lead better lives.