What You Need to Know About ASD As a Parent with Young Children -

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts children’s development and has myriad symptoms that make diagnosing it challenging. Signs of ASD are less evident in younger children before they reach school age.

As a parent with young children, you should know the symptoms to watch for and how to react if your child displays signs of ASD. Let’s explore some symptoms, diagnoses and treatment options available for children with autism.

Signs of ASD

You can begin recognizing symptoms of autism during your child’s developmental phases as early as infancy. Children with ASD can demonstrate issues with social interaction by nine months old. By nine months, your child should respond to their name, display emotions with their facial expressions and hold eye contact. ASD is considered a spectrum disorder because the signs and symptoms are so versatile that they can be unique to each child.

If your child is displaying these signs and not using gestures by a year old, they could be on the spectrum. However, these symptoms aren’t exclusive to ASD. Children develop at different rates which is part of why ASD is so challenging to diagnose at a young age. Repetitive behaviors, routine fixation and other communication and social skill deficits are also symptoms of a developmental disorder like ASD.

ASD Diagnosis

Children that are potentially on the spectrum need specialized support from a young age–the earlier their treatment begins, the better outcome they’ll have. You can start treatment before you receive a proper diagnosis if you recognize symptoms to better assist your child and cater to their needs. Children with ASD are often misdiagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The diverse symptoms of ASD can pose many challenges for parents and professionals in assessing the condition.

Often, children with ASD also have ADHD, which can be confusing. Parents and professionals often stop looking at symptoms that indicate ASD once children are diagnosed with ADHD, which can cause them to miss out on proper treatment. Mental health professionals can conduct evaluations of a child’s behavior and development in multiple settings to properly diagnose ASD. These professionals use autism symptom-specific measures to assess and diagnose children on the autism spectrum.

Treatment Options

Treatment for ASD isn’t a one size fits all type of therapy. Since the symptoms are so diverse, many types of interventions and therapies are designed for people on the autism spectrum. ASD can make life challenging for people of any age, but the earlier their treatment begins the more they can learn to maximize their abilities and navigate their challenges.

There are many types of treatments for people with ASD that are specialized to their specific and unique needs. People of all ages highly benefit from these treatments and experience reduced symptoms and struggles with daily life. Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy teaches coping techniques, communication and social skills that nurture their interaction with others.

Cognitive behavior therapy, educational and school-based therapies, nutritional therapy, social skills training, speech and language therapy and physical therapy can all be used as a treatment for ASD. These therapies can be used independently but are often coupled with other therapies and medication to better match your child’s individual needs.

Help Your Child Thrive

Parents of children with ASD face many challenges since managing symptoms is a lifelong journey. Stay consistent with their treatment plan to help your child manage their symptoms. Often medication and therapy are combined to help children with ASD thrive. You can join local support groups like Autism Speaks that help you connect with other parents with children on the spectrum. These support groups can give you perspective and help you feel less alone on your journey with your child.

Ensure that you practice self-care to be your best self while caring for your child. Parents of children with ASD face many challenges–support can help. Parents can experience many emotions like frustration, guilt, confusion, anger or depression. There are parent coaching programs available that can help you cope with your child’s behaviors, diagnosis and other challenges ASD poses. Learn as much as you can about autism to better understand your child and the challenges they face.

Pay close attention to what triggers your child and how you can cater to their needs. Early intervention, before diagnosis, can reduce your child’s symptoms and increase your child’s rate of development. Practice acceptance and focus on your love for your child regardless of their behavior. Stick to a routine, practice positive reinforcement, and create a safety zone in your home for your child to help your child feel supported and secure.