AttachAvi Autism Awareness!Early Intervention Makes a Huge Difference for Children with autism .

Autism is much more common in today’s society than parents might think. With the numbers increasing annually, the Centers for Disease Control has stated that one out of every 68 children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.Times Have ChangedBack in the day, if a child was diagnosed with autism there was little to no help available. Children were left to work independently and parents were left to pay extensively for private tutoring and assistance—often without results. Organizations were not around to provide assistance for autistic children so that they could find a way to live somewhat normal lives. In fact, just over a decade ago, autism was considered a learning disability and often children were poorly diagnosed.Today, autism is a growing concern and is also becoming more popular in research. More parents are aware of what autism is, and there are organizations to help educate and provide financial assistance to parents of autistic children.Diagnosing AutismEarly detection is key in helping a child with autism live a more normal life in society. Since autism can be seen as early as 18 months of age, children should be watched throughout their development for any warning signs of autism. High-risk groups, such as children with siblings diagnosed with autism, should be watched even more closely by physicians and parents alike.Warning signs of autism include:Not engaging in pretend play, not making eye contact, not liking to be held or cuddled, not understanding typical emotions or relating to their own feelings, not handling change well, and not relating to othersRepeating actions over and over, and repeating words that are said to themHaving unusual reactions to everyday thingsRarely responding to their own nameWhy Early Intervention Is ImperativeResearch has shown that early intervention can improve a child’s overall development. Children who receive autism-appropriate education and support at key developmental stages are more likely to gain essential social skills and react better in society. Essentially, early detection can provide an autistic child with the potential for a better life. Parents of autistic children can learn early on how to help their child improve mentally, emotionally, and physically throughout the developmental stages with assistance from specialists and organizations .Lastly, catching autism and working through it early also benefits parental relationships. The strain of caring for an autistic child can be an everyday challenge, but with early preparation and intervention, parents can prepare themselves for the road ahead emotionally and mentally.