Helping for better life quality in ADHD and Attention Issues
One out of 150 children in Singapore suffer from some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The situation is alarming as it is higher than the WHO global figure of one in 160 children. When children struggle with symptoms of Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and/or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder; these impair their social interaction and communicative skills. They also show atypical behavioral patterns and interests.
Early intervention and the right training can help them alleviate the symptoms and improve the weak areas. Some may require speech therapy and others may have to undergo training in occupational or social skills. There could be others needing assistance in mitigating learning and eating problems. At Singapore Brain Centre, brain training is highly ordered and establishes rewarding and predictable success. Student programs are individually designed and delivered one-on-one by skilled and sensitive trainers. Progress is regular, systematic and recognisable by the child.
Understanding Autism
Understanding Autism is not easy because it is a culmination of various conditions. Children with Autism face different degrees of challenges in social skills, compassion, and communication problems. The victims also show flexible behaviors. The symptoms and their severity also vary from one child to the other.
What to Look Out For?
The signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders vary widely. While some infants may show some early signs, it may be prevalent in the others when they are 2 or 3 years. As a parent one must watch the followings:
6 months
- No or limited eye contact
- No sign of warmth with big similes and other engaging expressions
9 months
- Little or no sharing of sounds, smiles, and facial expressions
12 months
- Little or no babbling
- Showing little or no gestures like pointing, reaching or waving
- Failure to respond to names
16 months
- Uttering a very few or no words
24 months
- Uttering limited or no phrases contain two words except imitating or repeating
And at any other age
- Losing previously acquired social and communicating skills
- Avoiding eye contact
- Persistent preference to stay alone
- Not understanding the feelings of others
- Oblivious of others
- Problems in expressing own feeling
- Restricted interest
- Delayed and slow language development
- Repeating the same words or phrases persistently
- Laughing or crying with no apparent reason
- Resisting minor changes in routine and environment
- Repetitive flapping, rocking, or spinning
- Showing unusual and vehement reactions to colors, light, smells, sounds, tastes, and textures
If your child exhibits any of the above, he or she may be at risk and professional evaluation is necessary right away.
Diagnosing Autism & Other Syndromes
Diagnosing autism & other developmental syndromes is not easy. There is no single test to confirm the condition and it needs a detailed professional evaluation for confirmation. You are recommended to consult the following specialists for evaluation:
- Child psychologists
- Child psychiatrists
- Speech pathologists
- Developmental pediatricians
- Pediatric neurologists
- Audiologists
- Physical therapists
- Special education teachers
They will perform several tests like hearing tests, cognitive tests, sensory-motor evaluation, adaptive functioning assessment, speech & language evaluation, screening for lead poisoning. Detailed medical examinations and parent interviews are also done.
Essential parent involvement
These children need parental support to overcome the challenges ahead. So, as a parent one should help the child with constant presence, consistent schedules and reward good behaviors. They must also create a safe zone for the child and be attentive to their sensitivities. Parents must also pick up non-verbal cues to figure out the cause of emotional outburst.
Will there be results?
No medication can cure Autism. Medicine can, at the best, address associated things like depression, disturbed sleep, and seizures. Training and training alone can improve the conditions of the students with autism & other syndromes. This is because it addresses cognitive and behavioral needs. Improvement in these areas is critical for attaining a better quality of life.
Training provides more than just a positive structure. It also specifically addresses cognitive needs that are critical to improvement in these students. Test results have shown that children diagnosed with PDD, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome most commonly display weaknesses in short-term memory, processing speed, and logic and reasoning skills. These are some of the primary skills that brain training can impact.
Singapore Brain Centre’s training regularly produces multi-year gains in these critical skills. Such gains make a tremendous difference for PDD, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome students. Our brain training programs can help parents and students bridge the gap to have a significantly more enjoyable and productive life experience.
Have a read through our Parent Guide to Autism Therapy for children here too.