What are the signs and symptoms of autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability known as a disability.
These disorders include defects in interaction and establishing social relationships, difficulty in processing perception, and repetitive behaviors.
Autism symptoms appear in a person from the age of two and can be recognized.
The severity of autism symptoms is very variable, but the deficit in the social skills of each person is constant.
You should know that an autistic child usually has a hard time making emotional connections or being dependent on their parents.
Some children with autism struggle to make eye contact.
Children with autism are disturbed by sensory experiences, such as a flashing light or clothing they are not comfortable in.
How are the symptoms of autism diagnosed?
Early symptoms of autism include inability to make eye contact, not showing interest in parents or other children, being quiet with other children, and becoming agitated by the slightest change in daily routine.
Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder include difficulty in communication and social interaction, sensory processing and repetitive and restricted behavior.
Of course, autism, like many mental illnesses, cannot yet be diagnosed using biological criteria such as blood tests or brain scans.
Therefore, experts usually rely on the child’s behavior to examine and diagnose this disorder.
One of the most common tools for screening children with autism is the modified version of Autism for Toddlers (M-CHAT).
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) allows a professional to diagnose the condition by observing the child for one hour.
The autism diagnosis interview is based on a questionnaire that includes 93 questions that are asked to the child’s parent or nurse.
Then, based on the given answers, the situation is evaluated.
At what age are the symptoms of autism usually diagnosed?
As we mentioned above, the symptoms of autism can be recognized in most children from the age of two.
If the symptoms are more severe, this disorder can be diagnosed even earlier.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for autism between 18 and 24 months of age.
If the child has a higher risk of developing this disorder, for example, one of his siblings has autism, the doctor suggests more careful examination and monitoring to the parents.
Early detection of autism symptoms is critical. Because it allows the parents and the child to access the necessary therapy and services on time.
This also helps the child grow up healthier. Because the use of services such as behavioral therapy can greatly reduce the symptoms of autism.
Examination of adults with autism is also increasing. However, a late diagnosis of autism can severely affect the lives of affected people.
But the effect of using special treatment methods and services for people with autism cannot be ignored.
