Autism, in its shortest definition, is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Most individuals with autism have limited social interaction and communication skills. In addition to having difficulties in social interaction, individuals with autism experience communication deficits and have repetitive behaviors. Autism can occur as a result of genetic and environmental factors.
Autism generally begins in the first 3 years of life and continues throughout life. It is a developmental disorder that can be expressed as the inability to establish appropriate verbal or non-verbal relationships with one's environment. Autism can be easily diagnosed with some simple tests. Early diagnosis and rehabilitation in cases of autism play a major and effective role in bringing these individuals to life.
The cause of autism is not clearly known, but it is thought to be genetic. It is more common in boys than girls. Seventy percent of people with autism have mental retardation, while 10% have superior intelligence. Attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, mood disorder and epilepsy can also be seen with autism.
What are the Symptoms of Autism in Babies?
Symptoms of Autism in 0-1 Year Old Babies:
Eye contact is either absent or limited.
Joyful expressions such as smiling or laughing are either absent or limited.
Reaction to facial expressions made to him/her is either absent or limited.
They are very interested in unexpected objects.
Signs of Autism in 1-2 Year Old Babies:
Compared to their peers, simple hand movements such as pointing and reaching are either absent or limited.
Word use is limited.
Reaction to their name is either absent or limited.
They shout loudly for no reason.
They exhibit repetitive movements.
Symptoms of Autism in 2-3 Year Old Babies:
They do not like contact.
They may have difficulty speaking.
Their frequency of aggressive behavior increases.
They start repeating what they hear from others.
What are the Symptoms of Autism in Children?
Autism Symptoms in 4-5 Year Old Children:
Voice intonations are one dimensional.
Words and sentences may not be clear.
They may start to have difficulties in social life.
Autism Symptoms in 5-6 Year Old Children:
They may not perceive simple jokes and may exhibit negative reactions.
They may have difficulty concentrating.
Eating disorders may occur.
Symptoms of Autism in 6-7 Year Old Children:
They reject positive sentences and shows of affection directed towards them.
They may exhibit positive reactions such as laughter and negative reactions such as crying for a long time at unexpected moments.
They may give irrelevant answers to questions.
Children with autism show most of the following symptoms:
- They may be overactive or immobile.
They are not interested in their environment
There is a delay in speech.
Instead of communicating with people, they are interested in inanimate objects.
They do not dialog with their peers in the community, do not participate in games, isolate themselves.
They do not use speech as a means of communication
They speak in inappropriate sentences and stereotypes.
They may laugh and giggle at everything without interest.
They may be obsessed with a part of an object (e.g. constantly playing with the wheel of a car).
They may become overly attached to certain objects.
They are obsessed with order.
They may become irritable when their routines are disrupted.
They do repetitive movements such as clapping, jumping, spinning around, rocking back and forth, flapping their wings.
They do not play imaginative games like other children, they line up cars and turn the wheel constantly.
They play the same games all the time.
Some of them can be very stubborn and aggressive.
They may react with extreme fear when they enter a social environment.
They may damage themselves and the objects around them.
They are insensitive to danger.
They are insensitive to pain.
They are insensitive to normal learning methods.
