The diagnosis of ASD can bring in a lot of emotions and difficulties for your child and your family. Therefore, it is essential to seek support from the right people to help your child manage their condition. The autism support workers expose the children to various therapies, including positive behaviour support, incidental teaching, applied behaviour analysis, etc., which can help your child better adjust to his environment and have a normal life. Visit - https://theadventureteam.com.au/

1. Signs Your Child
Might Be Autistic -
How to Treat Them

2. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a
developmental disorder which affects a
child’s nervous system and growth. The
first signs of autism among children can
be noticed during the first 3 years of
their lives. It severely impacts their
social interaction, communication skills,
and behaviour.

3. It can also cause kids to have repetitive
behaviours and limited interests. Even
though children with autism are born with it,
it only becomes noticeable when they start to
have trouble interacting with other children
their age.

4. What Causes Autism?

5. Genetic Factors: The exact cause of autism is still unknown to scientists but it
is believed that genetic factors play an important role in the onset of autism.
Environmental Factors: Researchers have identified several chemicals that
they believe may have a possible connection to the increased risk of developing
ASD, including air pollution, pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, mercury or lead.
Nutritional Factors: Nutritional deficiencies among children in folic acid,
vitamin D, and fatty acids might also play a role in the increased risk of ASD.
Infection During Pregnancy: It was observed in a study in 2019 that if a
woman is infected during pregnancy there are 79% more chances of the baby
being diagnosed with autism.

6. The signs and symptoms of autism in children can vary. Usually, younger children
aged 2-3 years old show symptoms like not responding to their names, not talking as
much as other children, getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or
sound and avoiding eye contact. On the other hand, older children over 3 years old
show signs like unusual speech, finding it difficult to make friends and liking strict
daily routines. These symptoms are often associated with communication and
interaction skills and repetitive behaviour. Here’s a breakdown of the symptoms:
Signs of Autism in Children

7. Difficulty with maintaining eye contact, often avoiding it altogether.
● Speech and language development delays or challenges, such as limited vocabulary or
difficulty forming sentences.
● Limited understanding of social cues and emotions, leading to challenges in
interpreting others' feelings.
● Preference for solitary play over interactive activities with peers.
● Starts speaking at a later age than other children or doesn’t speak at all.
● When the child is able to speak, but doesn’t use speech in social settings
● May be too sensitive or less sensitive to certain things around them, such as lights,
sounds, touch, or taste.
Social Communication and Interaction Skills

8. Repetitive Behaviours and Interests
● Engaging in repetitive movements like hand-flapping or rocking.
● Insistence on routines and difficulty coping with changes to their environment or
schedule.
● Intense focus on specific interests or objects, sometimes to the exclusion of other
activities.
● Sensory sensitivities, such as being bothered by loud noises or bright lights.
● Repeats words or phrases (echolalia) or repeats parts of dialogue from TV or
movies.

9. If you notice the signs of autism in your kid then you need to take immediate action
and seek a proper diagnosis for the disorder since early interventions yield the best
results for autistic children. Accurate diagnosis may only be possible if your kid is over
2-3 years old. There are a number of pathways you can consider for the diagnosis.
You can approach a single clinician, called a diagnostician for the diagnosis who might
be a paediatrician, child specialist, or specialist psychologist. Alternatively, you can
also seek diagnosis from a multidisciplinary team which can include a number of
medical or allied health professionals working together. There are several state
government-funded services that specialise in the assessment and diagnosis of autism,
but they might have long waiting periods due to high demand. In such cases, there are
also private services available with Medicare funding services.
Next Steps if You See Signs

10. Prepare for Autism Assessment
Once you have decided on the pathway for assessment and diagnosis, it is also essential
to prepare for the same. You can prepare for your child’s autism assessment by writing
down your questions or concerns about your child, along with your observations. Include
specific examples of what you’ve noticed, how old your child was when you noticed the
things, and how long you’ve noticed these things.
● Paediatrician
● Child and adolescent psychiatrist
● Psychologist
● Speech pathologist
● Occupational therapist (OT)
● Social worker

11. The diagnosis of ASD can bring in a lot of
emotions and difficulties for your child and
your family. Therefore, it is essential to seek
support from the right people to help your
child manage their condition. The autism
support workers expose the children to
various therapies, including positive
behaviour support, incidental teaching,
applied behaviour analysis, etc., which can
help your child better adjust to his
environment and have a normal life.
Seeking Support

12. ● Look for support workers with relevant qualifications and experience in working
with children on the autism spectrum.
● Consider the specific skills and expertise that align with your child's needs,
whether it's social skills development, behavioural support, or sensory
integration.
● For those eligible, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide
funding for support workers and therapies, offering financial assistance to
families in need.
Finding the Right Support Worker

13. If your child is younger than 7 years, the best pathway to seek support is to contact an
NDIS support worker since it will allow you to seek support even without getting a
diagnosis. The support worker will:
● Discuss your child’s needs.
● Refer you to services in your area.
● Give access to peer support groups.
Don’t let autism be a barrier for your child in achieving their full potential. Take
necessary early intervention for your autistic child so that they have the best opportunity
to thrive and become empowered to navigate the world. Autism support is available for
Australian citizens at their fingertips. So take action now!