Signs of Autistic behaviour.

Due to the large number of young parents and the lack of help from the older generation, we find it harder to know if there is anything wrong, different or in need of a medical intuition. I know for my son I had no idea that

him beating the crap out of his head was a sign of Autism.

Signs of autistic behaviour:

 

• banging their head in frustration. Weather it is from not being able to get the block they wont the right way, to not getting what they want. Can often look just like a normal tantrum.

 

• obsessive compulsive behaviour. This can come from any sort of behaviour to routine to toys set in a certain way. My son had to have the blocks set a certain way every time. Even with his cars they are all lined up in order of colour and size. Sometime side by side others from head to toe.

 

• fascination for the ROUND things. They have no idea why but it is very common I n autistic kids to have a fascination with round things weather it is wheels to fans to bowls.

 

• sensitive to light and sounds. My son used to scream at the vaccy. I had to do the house while he was asleep, now we make it a game and he has head phones on to minimalise the noise. Some kids find the sun to bright and recluse inside a lot (my son also does this)

 

• ritualistic behaviour. Some children every day at certain time do a particular thing like night line arranging all their bedtime toys in a particular way.

 

• Routine. Autistic kids get really upset if they don’t have a set routine. They thrive on routine and knowing what is going to happen next.

 

• Language is different to other children. They may repeat things over and over. Struggle with conversations and speak monotone (this also can be related to ear problems)

 

• Eye to eye connection.  Children with Autism do not (most of the time) look at someone, they will generally look away or be fixed on something else in the room like the floor. We have taught our son to look at people, but he still struggles with it. He will only look at certain people.

 

• Unaware of feelings towards other people. Like if I am crying my son doesn’t understand why.

 

• Soul playing. My son will play along side another child, but not with other children. They prefer their own company and get frustrated with other children.

 

• Failure to respond to their name. My son even now at 6, will not always respond to his name.

 

If you do suspect that your child is Autistic see your GP and get a referral to a paediatrician who will asses your child and refer them and you on to get a proper assessment from a child psychologist and a speech therapist. If you don’t have health insurance, in Australia you will be placed on a waiting list and will be rung at anytime. We waited 9 months with our first assessment and have been waiting 3 months for our second.

There is a lot of help available, you just have to find it. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis depends on if you can claim any support from centerlink (Australia) and get a EA (Education Assistant) at school for your child. We get 30mins a day at the moment with the diagnosis of PDD-NOS but with the Aspergers we will get a lot more.

Once you have the diagnosis I would recommend that you contact the Autism centre in your state. They have fun workshops, camps and training seminars to help you. Also you can get a carer to come and look after your child so you can have time off.