Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Evidence 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/march/identifying-and-supporting-autistic-preschoolers 

Amanda Brignell, Georgina Cox, Alexandra Ure, Charmaine Bernie and Katrina Williams   

Autism is a developmental condition that affects social communication and behaviour. In Australia, significant progress has been made in the development of systems to detect autism early, with most children now diagnosed during the preschool years. 

Parents, childcare educators and healthcare professionals are well placed to monitor the achievement of language, motor and social/emotional milestones in preschoolers. When development is not progressing as expected, as seen in autism, identifying differences early can assist in providing advice, interventions and supports to families, leading to positive outcomes. 

Education 

What Are the Signs of Autism in Preschoolers?  

With some children, the signs of autism might not become entirely obvious until they reach preschool (or even school age), when suddenly the developmental gap between them and their peers becomes more pronounced. 

In addition to the signs for babies/toddlers, here are some of the more common ways ASD might present itself in a preschool-aged child. 

Social communication red flags 

• The child generally does not point to or share observations or experiences with others 

• The child tends not to look directly at other people in a social way. This is sometimes referred to as a lack of eye contact 

• There may be an absence of speech, or unusual speech patterns such as repeating words and phrases (echolalia), failure to use ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘you’, or reversal of these pronouns 

• Unusual responses to other people. A child may show no desire to be cuddled, have a strong preference for familiar people and may appear to treat people as objects rather than a source of comfort 

• The child may appear to avoid social situations, preferring to be alone 

• There is limited development of play activities, particularly imaginative play 

• There may be constant crying or there may be an unusual absence of crying 

Behavioural red flags 

• The child often has marked repetitive movements, such as handshaking or flapping, prolonged rocking or spinning of objects 

• Many children develop an obsessive interest in certain toys or objects while ignoring other things 

• The child may have extreme resistance to change in routines and/or their environment 

• The child may be resistant to solid foods or may not accept a variety of foods in their diet 

• There are often difficulties with toilet training 

• The child may have sleeping problems 

• The child may be extremely distressed by certain noises and/or busy public places such as shopping centres 

It's important to note that the following criteria isn’t conclusive evidence of autism and could be a developmental delay due to being born premature or sick.  

What To Do If Your Child Exhibits Signs of Autism  

If you notice some of the signs of autism in your child, you should make an appointment with your doctor, to discuss any concerns.  

Empowerment  

Always remember that the child you love can’t be summed up by a checklist of deficits. Children with autism also have particular strengths, such as attention to detail, creative talents, truthfulness and honesty. In time you and others will discover your child’s unique strengths.  

While an autism diagnosis may seem worrisome, many children with autism lead happy and fulfilling lives. Learning your child is on the spectrum is not a bad thing, nor should it be viewed in a negative light. Still, you may be wondering how you can best handle your child's condition.  

Autism Treatments and Therapies  

Depending on your child’s symptoms, one or more of these therapies may be useful:  

• Cognitive behavioural therapy  

• Behaviour management therapy  

• Physical therapy  

• Speech therapy  

• Occupational therapy  

• Nutritional therapy  

• Educational interventions  

• Medication  

Early intervention is meant to help children with autism develop to their own full potential. The brain can respond to treatments more effectively at younger ages, which can make interventions more effective. As your child gets older, those interventions might include speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health counselling, and whatever else experts believe will help your child thrive.  

Useful Links  

Special thanks for Autism Awareness Australia for content sharing and providing support for families.  

Autism Awareness 

https://www.autismawareness.com.au/understanding-autism/signs-children 

Learning Links 

https://www.learninglinks.org.au/resources/autism-in-preschool-settings/ 

Raising Children 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/school-play-work/preschool/starting-preschool-disability-autism 

Miracle Babies Foundation  

https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/gk4cj4  

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