It was not until the mid 20th century that the world became aware that autistic spectrum disorders existed. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner began to study a group that included 11 children and labeled the disorder that affected them as being what we know today as autism. At the same time, Dr. Hans Asperger, a German scientist, was describing a milder disorder within the same spectrum known as Asperger syndrome.
Today, we know it to be one of five developmental disorders that are often referred to as the autism spectrum disorders. Each illness in the autism spectrum will vary in degrees, with regard to an individual’s impairment. The impairments include problems with communication skills, the inability to socially interact with others and behavior patterns that are both restrictive and repetitive.
The parents of a child are normally the first to notice the signs of an autistic spectrum disorder. These disorders can actually rear their heads before the child is even three years of age. Children who have autism spectrum disorders do not act like other children.
They may be withdrawn socially and may stare off into space and not respond when their name is called. However, there are instances of the disorder not showing up until later, such as when a child, who once acted as a normal toddler, suddenly begins to show signs.
Disorders may range from the milder form in the autism spectrum, normally referred to as Asperger syndrome, to a more severe form known as an autistic disorder. There is also high functioning autism, which shows symptoms very close to Asperger syndrome. If a child seems to have symptoms of autism, either the mild or the more sever form, yet does not fall under a certain criteria for one of these disorders, then they are normally diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder.
While it may not be a concern if a child is showing signs of delayed development, they should be evaluated by a doctor. It is important to let your physician know if you see any developmental delays in your child. If they do indeed have one of the disorders within the autistic spectrum, then there are steps that can be taken to help the child increase their development and also help the family to deal with the disorder.
Even after an autism spectrum disorder is found, individuals can, in many cases learn to be functioning individuals; however, if the disorder is disregarded and nothing is done, then there is a possibility of severe delays in both communication and social skills. It is always important when any developmental delays seem apparent that the child’s physician be consulted.
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Autism is a brain disorder, usually diagnosed by age 2, in which the child fails to develop language and normal social interaction skills. Withdrawal from social contact and aberrant behavior are common. Parents have been trying numerous treatments, conventional and alternative,the in an attempt to restore what some believe may be permanent damage to brain while others believe that autism is reversible.
The relationship between a parent and their autistic child that has barriers in language and touch is one of the most heartbreaking issues of this condition. An autistic child typically is not able to express feelings of love, whether through words, ****** expressions or hugs. Some have even said that children with autism are unable to form a bond or attachment. However, research has concluded that these children do attach to their parents, but some still are unable to act on this bond and do not respond appropriately. Many autistic children have sensory and tactile system issues making them unenthusiastic to certain sights, sounds, smells or touch.
The majority of autistic children are opposed to physical contact, so it is interesting that many massage therapists and parents are finding great success in the use of massage therapy with autistic children. The bonding factor alone would be a major accomplishment. Add massage therapy to the list of beneficial treatments that for some, has a very swift and positive response. There are children that love to get a massage; however, not all of them feel the same way.
Parents should learn some basic techniques and a few different methods of approach to massage before they begin. Always try to start with the child looking at your mouth as you say “massage.” This, in time, will also give you an indication of whether or not they look forward to their massage sessions. The helpless feeling many parents often feel will be replaced with active massage treatment between parents and children.
Research has found that these children show less autistic behavior, are more social and attentive after receiving massage therapy. Regular sensory integration and safe, nurturing touch are beneficial in reducing touch aversion, inattentiveness and withdrawal. Clinical trials have also shown massage therapy as a viable complementary treatment positively impacting some of the characteristic behaviors of autism. One important study has emerged in this area within the past few years from the Touch Research Institute (TRI) in Miami, Fla. Escalona, A., Field, T., Singer-Strunk, R., Cullen, C., & Hartshorn, K. (2001). Brief report: Improvements in the behavior of children with autism following massage therapy. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 513-516.
Twenty children with autism, ages 3 to 6 years, were randomly assigned to massage therapy and reading attention control groups. Parents in the massage therapy group were trained by a massage therapist to massage their children for 15 minutes prior to bedtime every night for 1 month and the parents of the attention control group read Dr. Seuss stories to their children on the same time schedule.
Conners Teacher and Parent scales, classroom and playground observations, and sleep diaries were used to assess the effects of therapy on various behaviors, including hyperactivity, stereotypical and off-task behavior, and sleep problems. Results suggested that the children in the massage group exhibited less stereotypic behavior and showed more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations at school, and they experienced fewer sleep problems at home.
Through the use of massage therapy, our basic human need for safe, nurturing contact is met with often wonderful results. For children with autism, it provides not only a positive experience of being touched, but the effects hold lifelong benefits. You can find more in-depth information at Autism-Free Information and Reports
Not knowing what treatments or therapies to use can be very frustrating. There are many therapies and no two children are alike. You can find our more at Autism-Free Information and Reports
For a typical child, speech begins to develop with the first sound the child makes. Words like mama, dada and ball are normal first words you normally hear. Incrementally, a child will create language by using those sounds and speech skills. By school age, most children already have speech that is understandable by someone who has not been around them. Children with autism may take longer to develop speech to a level which is understandable if at all.
Parents and caregivers can go to their doctors to ask for an evaluation and a referral. From there, they are usually referred to a speech pathologist or therapist. Speech pathologists, also known as therapists, must hold masters degrees and work in a clinics, school settings, and private settings. Speech therapists have many interventions and tools to use from speech curriculum to play like therapy. Speech pathologists work with infants and young children in creating cognitive skills necessary for language development, sound production and receptive expressive language.
There are different forms of communication. For children who are less verbal, you would use such systems as picture exchange, sign language, communication boards, and electronic devices to name a few. Oral motor skills and feeding skills are also treatments provided by the pathologist to specialize the child’s needs. Combining objects, photos, picture communication symbols, gestures, and aided AAC systems to traditional speech and language treatment approaches helps an individual with autism communicate.
As a parent or caregiver, it is important to be honest if you do not understand what your child is saying. Encourage them to try again. Letting your child know you understand when you do actually understand will encourage proper language use.
You must model good speech. If you child makes an error in their speech, repeat what they were attempting to say in the correct way. Your child will learn to speak correctly by hearing you talk and read correctly.
It is always good to read to your child. They will obtain speech sounds and the proper vocabulary steadily. If your child loves for you to read the same book every night before bed, then do it. The more they hear the words and sentences, the more likely they are to retain and use the language. Your child becomes more familiar with language.
There is not a child who is too young to begin receiving help with language. It is a very important tool that we use in every day life. If you have any doubt, or have a mother’s gut feeling that something is wrong with your child, please take your child in to get evaluated.
Not knowing what treatments or therapies to use can be very frustrating. There are many therapies and no two children are alike. You can find our more at Autism-Free Information and Reports.
