Something like autism is not as black and white as people think. If a child is extremely low functioning, then it is easy for people to look and say that the child has it. However, autism is a wide spectrum, with many different levels of functionality.
You yourself might have a certain degree of autism and not know due to the fact that it is not impacting your life in any serious way. Regardless of where your child is on the spectrum, you might want to know if they have autism so you can get them the help and support that they need. Here is how you can determine if they have it.
Taking an Autism or Asperger’s Test/Quiz
Autism covers a wide variety of other disorders. Something such as Asperger’s falls under the autism spectrum and impacts your child’s behavior. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, however, you can get a good idea of whether your child has one of these disorders without having to bring them into a doctor right away. The experts at AspergersTestSite.com recommend taking this test or quiz for your child if you suspect they may have something. These tests are not 100% accurate as you might not be entirely true with your answers, but they will give you a strong indication of if your child has a disorder or not.
Go to a Doctor
The best way to get your child tested for autism is by taking them into the doctor’s office and getting looked at. Doctors are fantastic at identifying and diagnosing these disorders and also getting you the help and support that you and your child will need. Some parents are reluctant to take their child in for a diagnosis because they are afraid to hear the results, however, you would be doing a disservice to your child if you are not providing them the care they need.
After the doctor has provided a diagnosis, they will provide you with the necessary resources for you and your child. This means you will be in touch with support workers and other institutions to help you out if you need it. This ensures that your child lives a happy life while at the same time, you do not feel alone or frustrated when working with them.
Stimming
People with autism stimulate their senses when they are either bored or overwhelmed with a current situation. There are many different types of stimming, ranging from making noises with their mouth to repeated motions with their hands. If you suspect your child might have autism, watch them when these things occur.
At a young age, children will often make noise for fun, however, someone with autism does it because they need to for their brain functions. If your child is relying on these types of things to stimulate their senses, there is a good chance that they might have autism.
Avoiding Eye Contact
People with autism struggle to understand social cues and how to communicate with others. Things like eye contact, for example, can make them extremely uncomfortable at a young age. If they are at the point where they are talking and are struggling to make eye contact or even communicate in a proper way, there is a chance that there is some form of autism there. Getting them looked at will help place them on the spectrum, allowing them to grow from there.
Getting Upset Over Sensory Stimulus
Just like how children with autism will do certain things to stimulate their senses, there are some things that will impact their senses and upset them. This can be as little as a taste or smell that they do not like, however it will result in the child being extremely upset and angry. Things like food that is being cooked in the kitchen or the sound of something hitting the floor can trigger these emotions. If you notice your child constantly gets upset over sensory stimulus, it is another sign of autism.
Lack of Social Cues
Finally, a good sign of autism is when your child lacks social cues that other children at that age would normally possess. Things like responding to their name or smiling when smiled at are common things that children with autism will not do. This is because they do not understand the situation and how to convey their emotions properly.
All of these are signs that your child may be somewhere on the autism spectrum. Do not be upset with your child for this, as children with autism deserve the same amount of love and support as any child. Not only that, but a child with autism can be a beacon of happiness for those around them if they cared for. Get a diagnosis for your child, so you can help them out in the best way possible.
