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Autism, also known as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in infancy and childhood. Studies have shown that the earlier an intervention is started, or even from infancy, the better the outcome is. Therefore, early identification and diagnosis are very important for early intervention in autism and improving the prognosis of children with autism.
How can parents identify autism early?
Less eye contact
Infants and young children with autism are more concerned with the inanimate objects around them, and have less interest in social situations, in people, in people's faces and eyes, so they do not pay attention to the people around them, and they also lack eye contact and communication.
Lack of social smiles and interactions
Children with autism often do not smile at the faces of those around them, such as their mothers, and often lack the response to the teasing of those around them such as their mothers.
Fewer call-up reactions
Children with autism lack or lack of response to calling. Children may be very sensitive to certain sounds of interest, and some children may be overly sensitive to certain sounds and develop nervous fears.
Lack of attachment to the primary caregiver
Children with autism have a backward attachment development, and even lack of attachment to the main caregiver, it does not matter if the mother leaves, and the mother returns without a blind eye.
Less imitation
Children with autism spontaneously imitate less, nor learn and imitate the movements taught by adults.
Lack of interest in children
Children with autism do not take the initiative to find children, and even avoid children. Or only interested in older children and ignored for children of the same age.
Abnormal interest and stereotyped repetitive behavior
Children with autism lack interest in people, but may develop a keen interest, even obsession, in inanimate things or objects around them. They may also have some stereotyped repetitive behaviors.
What are some ways for professionals to help identify autism early?
First, disease cues or warning signs of autism can help. In 2010, China's Ministry of Health promulgated the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment and Rehabilitation of Autism", which clearly pointed out that the clues of autism include: 4 months will not look at other people's faces and smiles; 6 months there is no obvious happy mood; 12 months there is no hearing problem but call their names are ignored; 16 months will not say a word; 18 months will not point to things with fingers, eyes will not follow the guidance of others to see things, will not play pretend games.
In addition, some autism screening scales can also contribute to the early detection of autism. Because any scale will have false negatives (actually sick, but the screening results are negative), false positives (actually no disease, but the screening results are positive), so when the child's screening result is positive, consider that this is only the possibility of autism, and further diagnostic evaluation of the child should be carried out; however, when the child's screening result is negative, if the child has suspicious autism symptoms, the child should also be further evaluated and followed up. At no time can a diagnosis of autism be determined or ruled out solely on the basis of scale measurements.
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Review: Li Tonghua
Editor on duty: Chang Jia
Source: Mental Health, Beijing