A child with autism is not less compared to other children in terms of individuality, resilience and beauty. To understand the basic health of these children, Dr Priti Mhatre, Paediatrician and Consultant, MRR Children’s Hospital briefs us with THIP Media. To watch the whole interview, click on the link below:
Q. What is an autism spectrum disorder or ASD?
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which children face challenges in social interaction, communication, and they may have repetitive or restrictive interests or behaviours. It is also called spectra because it may present or manifest differently in each individual. The severity also differs from mild to severe.
Q. What are the earliest signs of the autism spectrum?
On an average, autism has been diagnosed around two to two and a half years of age with main concerns of speech delay. But as we have seen earlier, this is a social communication concern. So, even as early as less than a year or in a toddler age, we see a lot of concerns pertaining to social interaction and communication. Signs are: First is less eye contact, no social smile. They seem disinterested in others, like to stay aloof, which is unlikely for a toddler. Likewise, they might not respond to voice or when you call them by their name. They might show repetitive actions like flapping hands or bouncing. Similarly, they might have highly intensive reactions to loud noise. They might avoid certain taste textures. So, certain sensory differences are also there.
Q. How to diagnose autism? What are the specific criteria and assessments?
Autism spectrum disorder is basically a clinical diagnosis. So, a formal evaluation by an expert like a developmental paediatrician is necessary where they take a detailed history from parents and caretakers. They observe a child in terms of behaviours, their social skills, communication skills. They assess the developmental milestones of these children. There are a few standard tools which are being used to diagnose. The first is the DSM5 criteria for autism spectrum disorders.
Q. What are the common mistakes parents make with an autistic child?
Parents expect a child to confirm the typical socially accepted behaviours. So, acceptance is something which gets delayed due to which the intervention is also delayed and hence it affects the child’s overall functionality in future. So as a parent, accepting the child’s unique needs and taking help from professionals and working towards the well-being of the child is the most crucial thing when dealing with these kids.
Q. What are the misconceptions related to autism?
There are many misconceptions. One is that autism spectrum disorder is equivalent to intellectual disability. Many at times parents feel that the cognition is low due to which they are unable to learn the skills which a normal, neurotypical child learns. The cognitive ability of autism spectrum disorder is of varied spectrum. It can be from low cognition to higher cognition.
That’s why we see summon skills in them. They are excellent in certain fields, and they have high end abilities to perform certain tasks which even we are unable to do. The second most common misconception is that the children with autism spectrum disorder cannot go to regular school. A child with autism doesn’t have to opt out of a regular school (Right to Education Act, India). Globally, it’s a well-recognised condition. These schools use various resources to accommodate them. So, schools are mostly inclusive.
Q. How does autism impact various aspects of communication and social interaction?
In autism spectrum disorder, the core concern is social interaction and communication issues. So, in terms of communication, there will be a delay in development of speech and language. They are unable to understand nonverbal cues. They are unable to initiate or sustain conversation with others. In terms of social interaction, they might be not interested or might be facing concerns while making friendships with others. Understanding the normal social norms and expected behaviours in certain situations are the certain challenges which they face in routine.
Q. What strategies to support their learning and inclusion?
There are various challenges the spectrum kids’ faces in a routine classroom setting. So first, is communication challenges where the child is unable to understand instructions given by teachers because of the varied capacity of understanding the language. In those situations, teachers can break down instruction into small steps or can use visual schedules or visual pictures to help them better understand the academics or studies.
Second, they might have sensory differences which may impact their attention skills or their performance in the classroom setting. Knowing their differences in a better way and helping or making certain changes to make a sensory friendly environment for this particular child will help him to stay focused in a classroom. Social interaction forms an important part of a classroom. They do not have much interest, or they block at that time, assisting them with a health buddy also helps them to have that social interaction in the classrooms.
Q. What are technologies to enhance the lives of children with autism?
There are various apps which are being used for skill building, like vocabulary, practising certain social skills. Then there are certain kids who are non-verbal. One third of kids do understand language, but due to certain motor concerns, they are nonverbal. In such cases, the technology in the form of iPads, notes help them perform an alternate or augmented form of communications.
Then there are certain wearable devices which have a tracking device which ensures safety and well-being of these kids. With AI, certain variables which help such kids to understand, not only theirs’s, but other people’s emotions appropriately. The social connections will boost with this kind of device.
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