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Autism is a syndrome that causes changes in the child's ability to communicate, social interaction and behavior, which causes signs and symptoms such as speech difficulties, blocks in the way of expressing ideas and feelings, as well as unusual behaviors, such as not enjoying interacting , get agitated or repeat movements.
The signs of autism usually appear around 2 to 3 years of age, a period in which the child has a greater interaction with people and the environment. However, they can also appear when they are babies, with the absence of facial expressions or reaction to sounds, or they can be perceived in adolescents and adults, through isolation, the absence of eye contact or aggression.
It is important to remember that only some of these signs do not confirm autism, it is important to consult a pediatrician or psychiatrist, to make a clinical evaluation.
How to know if it is autism
If you suspect a case of autism, check out our test, which can help identify the main signs and symptoms:
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Is it Autism?
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Does the child like to play, jump on your lap and show that you like being around adults and other children?
Does the child seem to have a fixation for some part of the toy, like only the wheel of the stroller and is staring?
Does the child like to play hide and seek but laughs while playing and looking for the other person?
Does the child use imagination in play? For example: Pretending to be cooking and eating imaginary food?
Does the child take the adult's hand directly to the object he wants instead of taking it with his own hands?
Does the child not seem to play with the toys correctly and just stacks, placing them on top of each other, does he / she swing?
Does the child like to show you the objects, bringing them to you?
Does the child look you in the eye when you talk to him?
Does the child know how to identify people or objects? For example. If someone asks where Mom is, can she point it at her?
Does the child repeat the same movement several times in a row, how to swing back and forth and keep waving his arms?
Does the child like affection or affection that can be shown by kisses and hugs?
Does the child lack motor coordination, walk only on tiptoes, or is easily unbalanced?
Is the child very agitated when he hears music or is he in an unfamiliar environment, like a diner full of people, for example?
Does the child like to be hurt by scratches or bites by doing this on purpose?
In mild autism, the child has few symptoms, which can often go unnoticed. Check out details on how to identify mild autism.
In moderate and severe autism, the amount and intensity of symptoms are more visible. Symptoms that can be experienced by any autistic child include:
1. Difficulty in social interaction
- Do not look into the eyes or avoid looking into the eyes, even when someone speaks to the child, being very close;
- Inappropriate or out of time laughter and laughter, such as during a wake or a wedding or christening ceremony, for example;
- Do not like affection or affection and therefore do not let yourself be hugged or kissed;
- Difficulty in relating to other children, preferring to be alone instead of playing with them;
- Always repeat the same things, always play with the same toys.
2. Difficulty in communication
- The child knows how to speak, but prefers not to say anything and remains silent for hours, even when asked questions;
- The child refers to himself with the word "you";
- Repeat the question that was asked several times in a row without caring if you are upsetting others;
- He always keeps the same expression on his face and doesn't understand other people's gestures and facial expressions;
- Do not answer when called by name, as if you are not hearing anything, despite not being deaf and having no hearing impairment;
- Look out of the corner of your eye when you feel uncomfortable;
- When he speaks, communication is monotonous and pedantic.
3. Behavioral changes
- The child is not afraid of dangerous situations, such as crossing the street without looking at cars, getting very close to apparently dangerous animals, such as large dogs;
- Have strange games, giving different functions to the toys you own;
- Play with only a part of a toy, such as the cart wheel, for example, and keep looking and moving it constantly;
- Apparently not feeling pain and seem to enjoy being hurt or hurting others on purpose;
- Take someone else's arm to get the object they want;
- Always look in the same direction as if you were stopped in time;
- Staggering back and forth for several minutes or hours or constantly twisting your hands or fingers;
- Difficulty adapting to a new routine by becoming agitated, being able to self-harm or attack others;
- Passing a hand over objects or having water fixation;
- Get extremely agitated when in public or in noisy environments.
If these symptoms are suspected, evaluation by a pediatrician or child psychiatrist is indicated, who will be able to make a more detailed assessment of each case, and confirm whether it is autism or whether it may be some other disease or psychological condition:
Click here and find out the differential diagnosis
When autism is suspected, it should also be checked for other conditions that are leading to the same signs and symptoms that the child has, such as:
- Auditory impairment;
- Intellectual disability;
- Expressive and repetitive language disorder;
- Landau-Klefner syndromes or Rett syndrome;
- Severe separation anxiety;
- Selective multismism.
That is why it is important to observe whether there are other signs and symptoms, in addition to physical characteristics that can help in the diagnosis, and it is also important to carry out tests that can answer questions.
In addition, the autistic child may also present other changes such as obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit and hyperactivity, anxiety and depression that can be treated with therapies and medications indicated by the doctor.
Autism symptoms in adolescents and adults
The symptoms of autism may be milder in adolescence and adulthood, either because the signs went unnoticed in childhood, or because of the improvement in the treatment. It is common for young people with autism to show signs such as:
- Absence of friends, and when there are friends, there is no regular or face-to-face contact. Generally, contact with people is limited to the family circle, school or virtual relationships over the internet;
- Avoid leaving home, both for usual activities, such as using public transport and services, and for leisure activities, always preferring solitary and sedentary activities;
- Inability to have autonomy to work and develop a profession;
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety;
- Difficulty in social interaction, and interest only in specific activities.
The possibility of having a normal and autonomous adult life varies according to the severity of the symptoms and the performance of an appropriate treatment. Family support is essential, especially in the most serious cases, in which the autistic person may depend on family members and caregivers to meet their social and financial needs.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of autism varies from one child to another because not everyone is affected in the same way. In general, it is necessary to turn to several health professionals such as doctors, speech therapists, physiotherapists and psychopedagogues, with family support being very important so that the exercises are performed daily, thus improving the child's abilities.
This treatment must be followed for a lifetime and must be reassessed every 6 months so that it can be adapted to the needs of the family. For more details on treatment options for autism, check out treatment for autism.