Signs of autism every parent must know about

CAIRO – 16 July 2019: Autism is a mental illness defined by the Unitarian Society of the United States as an evolutionary deficit and neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the function of the natural brain and ability to communicate and appears during the first 3 years of the child's life.

Professor of psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Mona el-Sheikh, said that the percentage of children with autism disorders increased especially during the last 10 years for no obvious reasons.

She added that in the 80s, the incidence rate was up to one person per 10,000 people, and now it has become one person per 70 people, according to US statistics.Americans call it the epidemic of autism due to this increase.

Sheikh explained that there are major signs that appear from the age of 1-2 years. Parents should be aware of such signs to avoid their developmentand contribute to the speed of treatment.

Age 6 - 12 months

After completing 6 months, the child must be able to follow the movements of the mother and look at her. In the event that she speaks and attempts to play with the child, he must be attentive and interactive.

Also, the child's lack of response when hearing his name is one of the big signs of autism disorders. When the child is 12 months old, he should be able to respond and know that the voice and speech are directed to him and thus interact with the sound by looking and issuing sound.

Age 1 - 2.5 years

At this age the child begins to talk and interact with others fairly well.If a parent discovers that their child is unable to speak, it means that the child is already suffering from autism disorders and should visit a specialist.

Sheikh pointed out that there are other signs of sub-show on the child, including hyperactivity, and circulating around himself, in addition to looking at the side views.

She stressed the necessity to enroll the child in a nursery at the age of 2-3 years to adapt to the community, respond to play and communicate with others.

In case the child avoids dealing with others, refuses to go to the nursery and prefers to sit alone, the family must take care of the child, play with him and keep him away from television and phones that can cause his delay, according to the professor.

Sheikh added that communication and skills training units are among the most important treatment methods for people suffering from autism disorders,stressing the need to care for autistic children as they can be easily treated and can succeed in scientific and practical life.

She added that children with autism are able to live normally, as the student who graduated first in high school this year is autistic, saying "there are also scientists and celebrities who were autistic but managed to overcome the disease thanks to the constant support of their families."

Sheikh warned that people with autism can hurt themselves and others in case of bad treatment.