How to deal with Autism in Toddlers

Learn about what really works

One morning, when the baby girl of Tanner was past 12 months of age, the young mother discovered that her baby was no more responding to her hugs. The baby girl seems to lose interest in her mother's care. The situation worsens and the baby never said a single word after 16 months of age…she looked healthy, but she was very vague in her looking. Tanner was very upset, she quickly made some Internet Searches just to find out that her child might be autistic. She wondered what steps to take next…

This article is written for parents like Tanner. It is aimed at helping them deal with Autism in Toddlers.

What is Autism

Autism is otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Disorder is a mental disorder that has to do with difficulty in speech and relating to others socially. The disorder cannot be diagnosed by a planned test like other diseases. The disorder can only be recognized by the known symptoms. Boys are generally more affected than girls.

These neurodevelopmental disorders are generally detected before 2 years of age. Early diagnosis can be very beneficial because it can lead to taking the appropriate steps to provide the patient with the best life possible.

Since the diagnosis is also based on symptoms, we are going to state the early signs of ASD.

What are the Early Signs of Autism?

Most of the early signs of autism can appear within the first 24 months of life. As the child develops you might notice a difference with the way he makes gestures, play, or try to speak. Specially, you may notice a language delay with autistic children.

Autism Symptoms

• Lack of responses to people emotionally.
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Lack of focus or overfocus on objects.
• Lack of personal interest in objects
• Lack of empathy(concern) for others
• Difficulty in relating to others
• Isolation.
• Doesn’t speak before 16 months of age.
• Repeat the same gestures over and over again.
• Doesn’t say single words by 16 months of age
• Enjoy routine activities and are stressed up with changes.
• Hypersensitivity to stimuli such as noises, colors, smells, cold, etc.
• some autistic children can even be eplileptic

It should be clearly noted that autism does manifest differently in different individuals. No one individual should have all the symptoms listed above to be declared autistic.

The level at which individuals are affected differs. Some individuals might be more affected than others.

Signs of Autism in Toddles between 0 to 24 months

There are 3 main stages of development of ASD in Toddlers: 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months.

• At age 12 Months, a normal child will react when you call him. An autistic child will not react.
• At age 18 months, a normal child will attempt to talk and communicate his needs with gestures to express his needs. An autistic child will not make any such attempts.
• At 24 months of age, a normal child will pick interest in some object while an autistic child will not.

Have a look at the list below to see some possible behavior in normal toddlers: 0 to 3 years.

how to deal with an autistic toddler

From the list of ASD symptoms, you might have noticed that it is possible your child is autistic. You need to take action right away. Please do follow the steps below:

• First, complete this Free Developmental Milestones Checklist for Toddlers.
• Secondly, click here to see how to talk with the Doctor.
• Thirdly, Learn as much about Autism Spectrum as possible. You might need to follow a blog such as this one to get as much info as possible. The best option is to join our mailing list to get the tips, latest news, and other resources you might need to deal with this disorder. You need it!
• Fourthly, Leverage technological advances; you might need to personally be involved with the treatment of your child.

Since ASD is not a conventional disease as others, there is no standardized treatment whatsoever, you must be personally involved in helping your child to develop social skills, acquire learning capabilities, and led prosperous life. Tools such as special software, video, games, and even blanket can greatly help the child to develop the skills he needs and live a normal life.

Do you need more resources ( Blanket, Tools, Books) to help that Autistic Child? Watch these videos.

Smooth Transition: From home to School

The transition from home to school is a major event that will affect the child with Asperger syndrome. It is important even in the life of this child that ought to be handled with care.

The psychological make-up of a child with AS is built in such a way that routine activities are preferable to new ones. This child which has been used to stay at home might find it very difficult to start going to school. You have the responsibility to prepare this child from home.

Your responsibility as a parent is to prepare this child to acquire social skills ( communicating and interacting with others). If this child does not accept interaction with others even at a minimal level, teaching this child at school will be impossible. Furthermore, this child needs to be prepared to acquire knowledge. All of this will start at home.

At the bottom of this page ( under the What Next-section) there are links to resources that can help you to start preparing this child for social interaction and learning. The resources include:

• A link to a page showing Software, Video, Books, Toys, etc
• A link to specialized USA centers that can help you.
• Links to parents' hubs that could equally be of great help to you.

Carefully and patiently go through each of the links. Get the necessary contacts, information, and practical help that you need in order to give the best possible quality of life to your toddlers. I believe these resources will help you deal properly with Asperger Syndrome in a toddler.

Some Practical Tips for Transition from Home to School.

• Prepare the child by letting him know that school will commence soon. Let him know that it will be a happy experience.
• Start going out with the child. Let him get acquainted with the outside world.
• Let him visit a school before school resumption. Probably the same school you will enroll him with.
• Use the material recommended in the section What Next to start training your kid.
• Start preparing him on how to relate with the teacher at school.
• Make an inventory of your child's character traits. outline his/her weaknesses and strengths. This list should be presented to the teacher who will teach your toddler. It will help the teacher t better relate with the child.
• Be relax and not be tense when speaking about school. Even if you know that this might be a stressful experience for the child, don’t send negative signals in his brain by being tense when you speak about school.

WHAT’S NEXT?

after meeting with the doctor and confirmed the diagnosis, you should check the possible intervention schemes in your state. In all the cases, you must be personally involved.

You can check the list of resources below:

• Software, Videos, Toys, Blankets, calming sensory products.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Developmental Milestones charts
• List of Early Intervention Offices, serving children with developmental delays from birth to 3, in U.S. states, commonwealths, and territories: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html or http://ectacenter.org/contact/ptccoord.asp
• American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care
• Parent Center Hub: information about U.S. special education services from birth to age 21
• The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Children With Special Educational Needs is a primer on U.S. special education law for pediatricians and parents, by IAN Director Paul H. Lipkin MD.
• The U.S. Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive! developmental screening program has information for families, health care providers, early care and education providers, early intervention service and early childhood special education providers, child welfare caseworkers, behavioral health providers, and housing and homeless shelter providers.
• IAN articles about Therapies and Treatments for Autism
• Watch IAN’s Webinar on the Early Diagnosis of Autism, a video presentation by Dr. Ami Klin
• Autism Speaks’ Learn the Signs of Autism

References:

1. Fisher, P. G. (2015). Will you listen to my concerns about autism? The Journal of Pediatrics, 166(6), 1329–1332. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp.welch.jhmi.edu/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.04.020
2. Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2014a). Services in your state for infants and toddlers. Retrieved from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/services-ei/
3. Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2014b). Special education services for preschoolers with disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/preschoolers/
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Autism spectrum disorder, data, and statistics. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Related Articles

Bursting The Autism Stereotypes.

Autistic Persons-When Lying isn’t a problem.

Autism with Children.

Autistic Kids: 10 major challenges.

How to deal with Autism in Toddlers.

How to deal with Aspergic Syndrom

Help for Autistic children

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Key Facts.

Dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Kids.

Ultimate Guide for Teaching Students with Autism.

Copyright 2020. Autism Expertise.

Disclaimer.

This article or the material herein contained are not maint to replace medical advice. We took all diligence to provide the reader with the current information about ASD. The article might contain affiliate links. Clicking on them and purchase the recommended product might accrue some commission to the author and not additional expenses to the reader. Such an act will be very much welcomed as it will immensely contribute to the continuity of this work.