What Is The Role Of Parents Of Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Parents must understand the signs and symptoms of autism, as early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference in the child's development.

Children with autism prefer to be alone and not mingle/play with others. (Photo: Freepik)

Autism Awareness Month: April is considered to be the month of autism awareness that puts the spotlight on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a developmental disorder affecting three critical areas of a child's development: social, communication and interaction, and cognition impairment. According to Dr Gurmeet Kaur, senior pediatrician and neonatologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Ludhiana, parents play the most important role when it comes to their children's well-being, especially those who have been diagnosed with autism. The doctor said that parents must understand the signs and symptoms of autism, as early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference in the child's development.

Signals In Children With Autism

Here are some signs that parents need to watch out for:

1. Poor eye contact.
2. Does not smile or show any joyful expression by six months or later.
3. Does not engage in back-and-forth sharing of sounds by nine months of age.
4. Does not babble for 12 months.
5. No response to picking-up gestures or name call; they do not seek to be hugged or caressed.
6. No words for 16 months.
7. No meaningful, two-word phrases.
8. Doesn't follow pointing gestures shown by others and may not look at the object that has been pointed.
9. Children may not comprehend the joy of sharing. Does not point or hand over.
10. Does not imitate actions; may not follow the actions or gestures shown to them.
11. Does not smile back, or smiles less.
12. Avoids eye contact, looks away.
13. Prefers to be alone and not mingle/play with others.
14. They exhibit repetitive behaviours such as hand-flapping, toe-walking and odd play.

What Is The Role Of Parents?

Dr Kaur said as a parent of an autistic child, one has to learn about autism spectrum disorder, educate themselves about the treatment options, ask questions and participate. "Figure out about triggers responsible for disruptive behaviours and what elicits a positive response. If you understand what affects your child, you will be better at troubleshooting problems and preventing or modifying situations that cause difficulties. Accept your child, quirks and all, celebrate small successes and stop comparing them with others. Feeling unconditionally loved and accepted will help your child more than anything else," said the doctor.

The doctor also highlighted some other things that can help:

• Stick to a highly-structured schedule, with regular meals, therapy, school and bedtime.
• Reward good behaviour, create a home safety zone, set boundaries and safety-proof the house.
• Learn to pick up non-verbal cues, facial expressions and gestures they make when they are tired, hungry or want something.
• Plan a treatment based on the child's interest, with a predictable schedule and regular reinforcement of behaviour.
• Find ASD support groups, share information and get advice.
• Get appropriate and genuine professional assistance for your child. Core elements of autism -- like social communication, interaction impairment and repetitive and restricted interest -- have to be reversed by applied behavioural analysis, behavioural therapies, speech and language and occupational therapy.

Hyperactivity In A Child With Autism

Dr Kaur explained that hyperactivity in a child with autism is very often a consequence of their inability to participate meaningfully and satisfactorily in the surrounding environment. "This inability is a result of the child's impairment in learning social interaction, social behaviour, and communication. Thus, by improving their social interaction, behaviour and communication, as well as understanding their inabilities better and decreasing the level of challenge, they may be able to connect better with the world."