Autism signs and symptoms

My six-year old son is distracted and unfocused. I suspect he could be suffering from autism. What are the signs of autism disorder?
— Krithika Reddy, Bengaluru

You need to closely monitor your child’s development milestones such as speech, inter-personal and emotional skills. Some signs to look out for:
 He doesn’t gesticulate or uses fewer gestures such as pointing to something.
 Speech tone and/or rhythm are strange.
 Repeats words without any intention of communication.
 Opts for solitude over playing with peers.
 Not interested in what’s happening around him.
 Doesn’t participate in group activities and/or shows disinterest.
 Doesn’t welcome changes in daily routine or environment
If you discern one or more of these signs consult an expert immediately. Early intervention and therapy is critical.

My daughter is autistic. What are the main problems of autistic children when playing with peers? How can I help her?
— Sahida Begum, Hyderabad

Any type of group activity needs cooperative behaviour with all agreeing to work to accomplish the task by following instructions, sharing and/or taking turns.
However autistic children don’t respond positively to group activities and/or peer play. This is because of several reasons:
 Autistic children take extra time to understand instructions and are uneasy if too many instructions are given.
 Language skills are not fully developed and most of the time it is hard for them to follow instructions.
 Social interaction is a challenge because they are unable to control/manage their emotions.
 Sensory issues also pose problems as many autistic children cannot tolerate high noise levels.
Here are some ways you can help your daughter:
 Give short and clear instructions
 Provide enough time to understand and follow instructions
 Repeat instructions until understood
 Praise and encourage her

My six-year-old daughter is mildly autistic. Should I enroll her in a mainstream school?
— Varun Johann, Delhi

A special school provides children with disability specialised support and guidance to realise their education potential. You need to evaluate the learning and communication capabilities of your daughter before making this decision. If she is able to communicate and understand instructions clearly, it’s advisable to enrol her in a mainstream school equipped with special educators. Or you could opt for a special school during the primary years and after improvement shift her to regular school.