Facts on Autism in Children

To understand autism better, it is very important to know the facts about autism in children. Facts about autism in children help us to know the causes and treatment options of autism. By understanding autism better, we can help autistic children to cope with the disorder. Let us know more about autism.

In addition to parents of children suffering from autism, other caregivers and close relatives like teachers, coaches, and cousins also need to be aware of what this disorder is all about. It is absolutely essential for those closely interacting with an autistic child on a regular basis to understand the basics of this disorder. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the important facts on autism in small children.

1. Spectrum Disorder

Children may suffer from autism in mild or severe form. This essentially means that there can be children with autism who are

a) Bright and verbal or

b) Mentally retarded and non-verbal in their communication

Spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of symptoms. The one symptom which is significant in majority of children suffering from this disorder is difficulty with social communication i.e; maintaining eye contact, starting or maintaining a conversation and understanding other people's perspectives to name a few.

2. Not all Autistic Children are the Same

No two people suffering from Autism are the same. The symptoms of this disorder will differ from person to person. There may be autistic children who chat nonstop while some others may be totally silent most of the time.

3. There is No Definite Cure for Autism

Medical support for autistic children will only enhance their skills or provide relief from conditions like seizures. There are various treatment options for such children ranging from biomedical, sensory, developmental or even behavioral. Depending upon the symptoms and the response of the child some treatment may be more successful than others. Even though, there is no permanent cure for this disorder, with right treatment autistic children can perform better than normal children.

4. The Exact Cause of Autism May vary From Person to Person

Medical research has identified a number of multiple causes of autism in children. Some of these are mercury in infant vaccines, genetics and age of the parents. Hence most researchers are of the opinion that the cause of this disorder may not be a single one. It may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The possibility of different symptoms in autistic children being a result of different causes has also not been ruled out.

5. Education for Autistic Children

An important thing that parents and teachers of autistic children must understand is that every child with this disorder will have a unique set of needs. Hence many children with this disorder may do well in normal schools also. It is not essential that every child suffering from Autism has to necessarily attend a special school only. In fact the decision about educating such children must be collectively taken by the parents, teachers and therapists who will be in a position to understand the child and her requirements well.

Autism is not a completely negative diagnosis. People with autism are wonderful human beings. They are very forthright, passionate and non-judgmental.

Children with autism often pick up coping skills that assists them in managing their difficulties better. Some are in fact intelligent enough to learn things that can build on their unique strengths. Parents and caregivers must not lose hope and get mislaid by inaccurate stories in the media about autism. It is important to remember that every person with this disorder is different. Hence what may be applicable to one child may not hold good for the other. The best way to help an autistic child is to understand her personally and identify the areas in which she may require help and support.