Signs of mild autism in children - Tips for parents

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Quach Thuy Minh - Pediatric Psychiatrist - High-Tech Unit for Treatment of Cerebral Palsy and Autism - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Children with autism, whether mild or severe, are not a curse for family members. According to experts at Vinmec Hospital about mild autism in children, parents should spend their love and patience to remove barriers and make their children's lives more meaningful.

1. Mild autism in children Autism is the name of a syndrome when children have defects in communication, in interacting with people, difficulty in controlling language, behavior, emotions, leading to reduced ability to integrate into society. A child with mild autism is a child with only mild symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. For the most part, for children with such mild autism, parents can be subjective and not detect it. This condition gradually causes children to isolate themselves from others, lock themselves in their own world, and cause many harms to children. Although scientists have not yet found out the exact cause of this condition. Autism in children, but there are some opinions that children with autism can be caused by:
The unbalanced development of the brain caused by some genes, brain damage During pregnancy, the mother Regular exposure to many harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs... increases the risk of autistic children after birth. Unfavorable environmental factors that increase the risk of autism such as toxic chemicals, environmental pollution, family neglect of education and care...

2. Signs of mild autism In fact, children with mild autism are often difficult to identify through behavior. Most of these children have normal or above-average intellectual abilities, a few are gifted with photographic memory, high mechanical memory, so it is easy to mistake children for intelligence. Besides, children with mild autism can still talk, so it is difficult for parents to recognize.
However, one sign of reduced interaction that can help identify a child with mild autism is a lack of ability to connect with other children his or her age, or preferring to play alone or just run. Joking along with you. These children still have close relationships with their parents, siblings, and family members, but often cling to one person in order of preference. Parents often just think that it is the nature of the child. In terms of language, children can still speak but the way they express sentences is simple, asking them to tell only sketchy events, speaking passively, responding poorly to conversations, or repeating a few sentence patterns...Three I see that you still cherish your loved ones, still understand familiar commands, still run after friends, so you often think that the child is developing normally.
If you observe and follow up, you will find that calling your child's name is less likely to respond immediately, or insists on doing his own thing, or plays alone for a long time, rarely shows off what he likes, less cooperatively shares with friends, and plays monotonously repetitive toys. , don't know pretend play, don't know how to join group games... Children often have some habits that are difficult to change, reduce focus and attention when parents talk to children, but if they say something right, they don't know how to play. Children should pay attention right away...Combining many of the above symptoms, but at a mild level, parents should note the possibility that their child has mild autism, which if you take your child to see a specialist, they can classify these signs. on autism spectrum disorder.

Thus, the typical signs of mild autism syndrome are developmental delays in social interaction skills, poor communication skills, self-directed behavior. Although it is not easy to recognize and identify mild symptoms of autism in children, if parents suspect that their child is showing any of the above signs, they should see a specialist to find out soon. causes and solutions to limit the harmful effects of autism later Just noticed to go to the doctor.

3. Harm of mild autism on children

Mild autism in children is the extent to which early intervention will help children integrate well compared to severe and typical autism. However, if the child does not have a positive impact on the child, it will cause many serious and unpredictable consequences, such as:
Making it very difficult or impossible for the child to integrate into society and the community around him, reducing ability to communicate, very shy when to interact with others, children become passive, withdrawn, easily become a burden to the family and society. Children with autism do not have normal reactions like other children of the same age, sometimes even become emotionless, lose their reaction. In some cases, children may perform many uncontrollable spontaneous behaviors, harming themselves, harming their own bodies. Children with mild autism, if not addressed early and with special care, will not be able to develop comprehensively in the future. Although mild autism cannot be completely cured, professionals and parents can help children overcome it. Especially, if addressed early, children with mild autism can still go to school and lead a normal, happy life.

4. How to take care of children with mild autism Children with mild autism, if not detected, treated early and receive special care, on average, only about 20% of children can speak and learn, but of course this process will be more difficult, especially in social relations, communication, making friends. The remaining 80% of children with mild autism continue to grow up and become adults with autistic syndrome, accompanied by manifestations of mental, emotional, intellectual retardation, sometimes accompanied by symptoms. epilepsy, depression, anxiety, phobia...reduce the ability to adapt, difficult to integrate into society.
However, if children with mild autism are examined, detected and intervened early, the child's development can still take place relatively normally, the child can integrate into the social community. In more severe cases, interventions and care at this time can only help the child to improve somewhat to know how to communicate better.
Therefore, children with autism need love and care from parents and relatives. Do not feel guilty, do not be subjective, do not abandon children. And don't let anyone discriminate against children. Parents, please call for the help of everyone around, always be with your child and spend time teaching and paying special attention to help your child overcome autism.
Besides, autism, whether mild or severe, is also a combination of syndromes, cognitive decline, social interaction, language as well as communication ability, so treatment needs a long process. long-term, persistent, persistent process with scientific methods from experts. The close cooperation of both parents, families, teachers, the community.. can bring good results, not just using drugs to treat like other diseases.
In addition, parents need to carefully monitor their child's autism status, discuss with professionals such as doctors, psychologists, kindergarten and specialist teachers, and follow the guidelines. Therapeutic advice and guidance on the care and education of a child with mild autism, in order to better support the child along the way.

With the desire to better care for the mental health of adults and children, Vinmec International General Hospital officially put into operation the High-Tech Treatment Center for Cerebral Palsy & Autism with examination services. , detect and treat autism with psychological methods, music, meditation, yoga...
If there is a need to visit with doctors at the Center for High-Tech Treatment of Cerebral Palsy & Autism, Customers Please make an appointment on the website to be served.