2 Major Benefits of Recognizing an Autism Diagnosis Early

Recognizing an Autism diagnosis early certainly has tremendous benefits. Diah A. Witasari (Diah) and Silvia Hough Heryuwani (Silvi) share their experiences and perspectives on the benefits of recognizing an Autism diagnosis early..

More time

Ages 0-3 are a crucial period for children. Diah asserted that delaying an Autism diagnosis makes it more challenging for parents to address the fundamentals.

There are five important aspects of child development: physical, motor, cognitive, language, and social-emotional. However, children with autism develop differently. For example, they may not yet be able to write, but they can memorize words and speak English fluently.

In summary, it is essential for parents to understand all facets and stages of child development. Parents who are aware of an Autism diagnosis and intervene early will have more time to develop their children.

Maximizing the development of children's potential

The consequence is that children can develop optimally in many areas. One important aspect is motor skills. Motor skills are divided into two: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Parents need to develop motor skills from an early age. Silvi trains her child by creating a home program consisting of dancing, throwing, and walking. The goal is to strengthen her motor skills.

Diah added that motor skills aren't just about walking and running. They also involve mouth exercises, such as chewing. Parents should also train children with autism to chew so they become accustomed to it.

Parents also need to develop cognitive and psychosocial skills. Silvi teaches her child to classify objects. The child can improve her cognitive skills by learning the names of objects.

Both Diah and Silvi concur that rewarding children for their successes is important, but they have different approaches. Silvi rewards them with food. Diah prefers appreciation. For Diah, appreciation, such as saying "Thank you," helps stimulate psychosocial development.

By recognizing a diagnosis early, parents have the opportunity to develop their children to their full potential.

Managing emotions

Raising a child with Autism presents numerous challenges, particularly in managing emotions. Since children with autism often struggle to articulate their feelings, they may express themselves through tantrums.

Handling a child's tantrums also has its tricks. The key lies within the parents. Parents need to regulate their emotions to effectively handle a tantrum, particularly when the child is throwing a tantrum while the parents are feeling exhausted.

In such situations, Diah shared her tips. If we're uncomfortable, that's appropriate. Leave it alone. Occasionally a child's tantrum requires attention. If we're upset, we won't be able to effectively handle our child. When we're upset, we should spend some time alone. Once our emotions have calmed down, then we can talk to our child and ask how they're doing.

Silvi's approach is different. Silvi consistently uses picture stories whenever she wants to take her child with her. She gave the example of going to the mall. "For example, if we're going to the mall, I'll tell the story using visuals. We're going to the mall, and our goal is just to eat," Silvi said.

In short, knowing the diagnosis early gives parents more time to develop their children, especially in terms of foundational development. The first three years are crucial for children with autism. Parents must consistently accompany and educate their children to maximize their development.

This article is a summary of the webinar "Knowing the Diagnosis Early," held on Saturday, January 27, 2024.