Autistic Symptoms

Life Is About Caring And Loving

In the middle of an exhibition and campaign for Autism organized by MPATI and the DKI Regional Government in January 2006, a young couple approached me and asked, how can ordinary parents know the symptoms of Autism in their children? What are the symptoms of Autism that parents should watch out for? In daily activities, symptoms of Autism can be seen if the child often:

1. Doesn't react, or doesn't seem to hear when his name is called.
2. Tend to play alone.
3. Repeat the words you say.
4. Using gestures to show his/her desire, for example holding father/mother's hand to get a glass to drink.
5. Doesn't like being hugged/touched.
6. Less/no eye contact (face gazing) of the person you are talking to.
7. Routine activities are challenging to change and require a consistent and regular schedule (tend to be rigid).
8. Interested in parts of the toy and not the toy itself.
9. Lack of self-safety and not aware of danger (playing with knives, razors, fire and others).
10. Very sensitive to sensory stimulation, hearing, smell, taste, and others (can't stand loud sounds, rough fabrics, doesn't like sour flavors, and so on).
11. Speech delays, such as not speaking words by age 2 or losing the ability to speak.
12. Very possessive of particular objects, for example, pillowcases that must be taken wherever they go
13. They do typical repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands like a bird, snapping their fingers in front of their eyes, circling, et cetera.
14. Difficulty expressing emotions, for example, getting angry and having tantrums, laughing alone, or daydreaming and being busy in their world.

I advise young couples to be aware of the symptoms of Autism in their toddlers. Still, there is no need to panic because therapy for autistic children is now more adequate than decades ago.

“Sorrows do not last forever when we are journeying towards the thing we have always wanted” Paulo Coelho