Three main autism traits you should be aware of
As Autism Awareness month comes to an end, Review spoke to occupational therapist, Liza Kubannek about Autism and what one should look out for.
POLOKWANE – According to Liza Kubannek, occupational therapist, these traits are typically associated with a narrow, repetitive pattern of activities and resistance to change.
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“The three areas that are influenced are social interaction, behaviour and imagination and language and communication,” she says.
She gave a few pointers:
Behaviour and imagination:
– Their imaginative play may be either absent or limited. “They cannot play with an object pretending it to be something different.”
– Unusual habits. “This may include rocking to and fro, spinning or finger flicking. These activities are pursued repeatedly and the child cannot be influenced when you ask them to change.”
– Changes may cause distress. “Children with autism do not like sudden change, even something as small as moving the furniture in the house.”
Social Interaction:
– Little awareness of others and their feelings. “Children with autism have difficulty in forming relationships with others. They also do not like being held, or touched and prefer to play alone.”
Language and communication:
– Language and speech development may be delayed or absent. “Children with autism have difficulty in starting and or taking part in conversations. They may have endless monologues about their interests without considering the listeners’ needs.”
In addition to these traits, there are other habits you might observe. Kubannek says these include things like your child making little or no eye contact, responding oddly to sensory input or even self-injury like biting him/herself.
“There is no specific test for autism, but the diagnosis is made by experienced medical practitioners. There are tests that can be done to rule out other conditions. These include Electroencephalograph (EEG), CAT-scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and blood tests,” she said.
Having a child with Autism is not the end of the world. There is help available for your child as well as for you.
