Autism is part of a group of pervasive developmental disorders known as autism spectrum disorders, or ASDs. Autism has three distinct problematic areas that include, impairments in social interaction and communication and restrictive or repetitive behaviors, notes Melissa Dodd Inglese, PhD, MSN, ARNP. Early identification remains important because education and initiation of early intervention results in improved outcomes, notes Inglese.
Social Interaction
There are numerous social differences in autistic three-year-olds. Interactions that parents would find normal are absent in the child. Some differences the Healthy Children website notes; the child opposes being picked up with back arching evident, no response from the child when a parent smiles and no engagement in looking at the same objects parents or caregivers observe. Autistic children usually have trouble playing and socializing with other children and show limited or no interest in make-believe play. There is an overall lack of enjoyment or achievement with showing, bringing or pointing out interesting objects notes Catherine Burns in her book, "Pediatric Primary Care."
Communication Difficulties
Numerous communication difficulties exist with autistic children. The child may repeat exactly what others say without understanding the meaning, or not respond to their name being called, notes the Healthy Children website. Other observations include, a lack of starting a conversation, inability to continue a conversation or no communication at all. The tone and rhythm in the voice appears abnormal, as if a robot is speaking, mentions the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic website also mentions that autistic children have difficulty making eye contact when making requests of others. Over time, increased communication regression exists unless appropriate medical intervention takes place.
Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors
Unusual behaviors set autistic children apart from others. The child may be seen having odd, repetitive motions or movements and restrictive patterns of interest. For example, the child repeats the same motions over and over, such as head-banging, spinning, swaying, twirling fingers or flapping her arms, claims the Health Children website. Autistic children generally have interest in playing with one particular toy or object or a single part of the toy, notes the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH. These children look or gaze at objects at unusual angles. Children of this age show inflexibility in changing their routine or rituals; when asked to do so they often throw a temper tantrum and become anxious, notes Inglese.
References
- Journal of Pediatric Nursing; Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disoreder, Part II: Screening, Diagnosis, and Management; Melissa Dodd Inglese; February 2009
- Healthy Children: Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Pediatric Primary Care; Catherine Burns; 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Autism: Symptoms
- National Institute of Mental Health: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) Introduction
