Interacting With An Autistic Child: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder related to brain development, characterised by impairments in communication, behaviour, and social interaction. ASD begins in childhood with symptoms varying widely in severity.

Difference Between a Normal Child and an Autistic Child

An autistic child will have difficulties in three main areas:

1. Social interaction: Difficulties using non-verbal causes such as eye contact, facial expression, body postures, and gestures that are usually present in regular social interaction.
2. Communication: Delays or absence of speech development, or impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.
3. Behavioral patterns: Repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, body rocking, obsession with certain things, odd play, or sticking to certain rituals before certain work can be done.

These distinctions help identify autism and differentiate it from typical child development.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism in Young Children

Identifying early signs of autism in young children is crucial for early intervention. Below are common symptoms that may indicate autism in younger children:

• Lack of response to their name
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Reduced smiling or social responsiveness
• Sensitivity or distress with certain tastes, smells, or sounds
• Repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping, finger-flicking, or body-rocking
• Delayed speech or limited talking
• Limited pretend play
• Frequent repetition of phrases or words

Signs and Symptoms of Autism in Older Children

As children grow, signs of autism may evolve. Here are typical symptoms seen in older children, which can help in recognising autism in later childhood:

• Difficulty understanding others' feelings or perspectives
• Unusual speech patterns, such as repetitive or monotone speech
• Preference for strict routines and distress over changes
• Strong, focused interests in specific subjects or activities
• Difficulty responding to instructions or requests
• Challenges in making friends or preferring solitude
• Literal interpretation of language and difficulty understanding idioms
• Difficulty expressing their own emotions

Autism Causes

The exact cause of autism is not fully understood, but studies suggest a genetic component. Factors that may contribute include having a sibling or twin with autism, older parents, and certain genetic conditions like Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. Research is also exploring how genetic and environmental factors interact, such as the impact of harmful contaminants during pregnancy. There is no evidence linking autism to vaccines, including those containing thimerosal.

Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

There is no single standard treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but a variety of therapies and interventions can help minimize symptoms and enhance skills. People with ASD have the best chance of utilizing their abilities when they receive personalized, structured interventions that are tailored to their specific needs.

Effective treatments for ASD vary from person to person, but research shows that highly structured, specialised programs tend to yield the best results. Early diagnosis and intervention, especially before or during preschool, can have a significant positive impact on managing symptoms and improving long-term development.

It’s essential that treatment focuses on the individual’s specific needs, rather than a broad diagnosis, as symptoms of ASD can overlap with other conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Proper, targeted interventions help individuals with autism improve daily functioning and overall quality of life.

What is the Current Percentage of Children with Autism in Malaysia?

There is no official registry for the number of children with autism in Malaysia. This is partly because autism is categorised under learning disabilities along with other cognitive and developmental disabilities. However, a local survey (Azizan, 2008) revealed that 1 in 625 Malaysian children has autism.

NASOM (National Autism Society of Malaysia) reported that there has been a 30% increase in the organisation’s intake of individuals with autism over three years (Cheong, 2009).

How should Autistic Children be Handled?

Any child who has not developed any speech by the age of two, exhibits odd behaviour, and has poor interaction with other people should be assessed properly.

These signs are usually picked up during a visit to a well-child clinic, and the child should then receive early referral to a paediatrician or family health physician.

From there, the child will need to be assessed by a developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist, or child psychologist.

Early diagnosis and prompt intervention are crucial to optimise the child’s potential.

Do Autistic Children Pose Harm?

Autistic children are not aggressive in the sense that they are purposely acting out to harm others. They might harm other people unintentionally due to their obsession with certain rituals or behaviour.

For example, they may run over a younger child while they are running around. They may shout and cry in a crowded room when they get agitated or bite someone who is trying to restrain them. They usually prefer to be left alone.

In fact, they are more exposed to harm if not properly supervised, as they may fall or wander off suddenly.

How do Most Malaysians React to Children with Autism?

Although there is an increase in general awareness about autism amongst Malaysians, there are still a lot of gaps in the understanding of what autism is all about.

ASD has varying levels of difficulty and impairment, which may be confusing to the general public. Lack of knowledge and exposure to autism can lead to a negative impact on the autistic individual and their families.

Can Autistic Patients Lose Their Memory During the Process of Growing Up? Will They Completely Lose Their Mind?

Loss of memory, as in loss of mind, is not a feature of autism. There may be some associated mental issues, like anxiety and depression, in the unsupported autistic individuals as they age into their teen years or adulthood. That will require added care for them.

Some children with autism were reported by their parents to be developing as normal children within the first year of their lives. They were able to call their mother and may have said a few words with meaning, but somehow regressed. Slowly, some behavioural patterns emerge, and poor interaction with other people becomes more noticeable. This is a recognised pattern present in some autistic children. The importance of early diagnosis, prompt intervention, and continued support for the autistic individual throughout their lives cannot be over emphasised here.

What is your Advice for Parents Who Would Like Their Autistic Children to Mingle with Other Kids?

These parents will face a monumental task in raising their children. Their lives will never be the same. They will need to cope with themselves, with their own family members and relatives, and with their children’s challenging needs.

It is not uncommon for a family unit to break up because of this make-or-break situation. Often, it is a single parent who must shoulder most of the care for an autistic child. They also need all the support from the community as well as the healthcare and education system. All autistic children should receive a good chance at education and some of them may actually become contributing members of society.

What is your Advice for People in General regarding How They Interact with an Autistic Child?

I believe very much in the African saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”. It takes the whole community to raise children. There is a need to have greater awareness and understanding about autism, specifically, and other disabilities generally.

Children with autism look the same as normal kids and thus are not easy to identify. Parents are judged when their children misbehave. Parents with autistic children are judged more often than not with hostile stares, general avoidance, and rude comments. This is very hurtful for most of them who are just trying their best for their children. It is not surprising that most of these children are left at home most of the time because of their difficult behaviours. This may further impair the children’s chances of improving their interaction and communication with other people.

We therefore need to adopt a friendlier approach to these children and their families. We need to be kinder with each other and be less judgemental because unless we can walk in their shoes, we do not really know what they are going through in their lives.

Make an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Get in touch with us to find out more about our Paediatrics Services at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital if you have any questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).