The analysis of symptoms is very important. Autism is a symptom-based diagnosis made by observing a specific cluster of symptoms known to characterize this psychiatric disease. Usually mental health practitioners obtain a description of the symptoms by interviewing the child and parents and by observation.
The preferred practice patterns established by The American Speech Language and Hearing Association (www.ASHA.com) recommend that a parent interview, a family history and a thorough symptom analysis be the first step in evaluating a child with a language disorder.
Symptoms of Autism & Language Disorder Look Alike
Let’s take a look at how the symptoms of Autism and the symptoms of a language disorder compare. Listed below are symptoms of autism from the Autism Society and symptoms of language disorder from the ODE Language Handbook. For additional information on symptom comparisons go to www.ebrainlabs.com
Autism Society
*Insistence on sameness; resists change
*Difficulty in mixing with others
*Unresponsive to teaching methods
*Sustained odd play
*Tantrums
ODE Language Handbook
*Can’t alter behavior to the needs of situation. *Perseverates, resists change.
*Relates poorly to peers, reluctant to participate, has few friends.
*Unresponsive to normal teaching methods.
*Behaves immaturely – engages in odd play.
*Behavior problems.
You will note that these symptoms can look alike but for different reasons. The cause of the symptoms can be very important in how we plan an intervention. If the cause is that the language system is under working or working erratically because of a hyper-visual system, then we need to harness the visual system first before we move forward to teaching communication.
Managing a Misfit
Our world is a very verbal place. We use communication skills to read the paper in the morning, relate to our families, learn at school and exchange ideas at work. Communication is how we share our unique souls with the world and it is the most complex function of the human brain. With deficits in the human communication systems, it can become very difficult to “fit-in” socially, to thrive academically and to develop intimacy with loved ones.
These difficulties with fitting into the verbal world can create isolation from others and threatening walls of silence. Instead of negotiating the world with verbal reasoning, a visual person often negotiates with patterns. As a result the “sameness of routines” becomes the template to make sense of the chaos of everyday life. We often ask Mavericks to adjust to changes in schedule or adjustments in plans based on how we explain by talking. These words can create more confusion and frustration as they may not be processed at the speed expected. This lag in processing time can create resistance, immature behavior, odd play, tantrums or reluctance to participate. As a result the normal teaching methods that are based on processing incoming language can fail.
Having a communication disorder can result in a very complex life, socially, academically and vocationally. Having worked with children and adults who have trouble processing and producing language for nearly 40 years, I understand how many symptoms can emerge from the frustration, anxiety, tension and disappointment that can occur every day. The first step in helping your child is to assess the root of the disorder. This then enables you to employ the most suitable intervention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Get rid of accent.
By: yoander | 10-07-2008
How do I get rid of my accent?I am fluent in both engish/spanish.I have a slight accent. It does not interfere with being understood. Sometimes I just wish I could sound more like a white guy so I can fit in better.
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By: les | 21-06-2008
Does anyone know of any speech therapist or speech therapy businesses that offer free funding for children with autism in Atlanta, GA?
Hyperactivity
By: Leximomma03 | 08-06-2008
My child is in the spectrum of autism and to calm her down i have heard giving them chocolate covered coffee beans would help, is this true?
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By: Chrissie | 02-06-2008
My son is 10 years old and has been diagnosed with ADHD since he was 4. He's been in Special Ed. since he's 3. I've always seen some autism behaviors in him, but his teachers have said he doesn't have autism. He has no attention span, hates loud noises and bright lights, doesn't always look you in the eye when he talks, likes to line things up. However, he has no problems socially. He makes friends very easily. How do I know if he is autistic? Is it possible to be a "little" autistic? I always thought you were born with autism. Can you develop it later on, say at 10 years old? Thank you.
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