Does your young child seem different than before? He often prefers to be alone, has few friends, and sometimes his behavior is difficult to understand... These things may be causing you great concern. This may be a normal part of adolescence, or there may be another underlying cause. That is what autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) , is all about. As parents, it is normal for us to feel scared and worried when a child with this diagnosis enters adolescence. Let's talk about this in a simple way and find answers to the questions you have in mind.
What are the signs of autism in a young child?
Adolescence is a time when children's emotions and behaviors change a lot. So it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between normal teenage behavior and behavior that is caused by autism. There is no such thing as a quick test (teenage autism test). However, there are some particularly noticeable characteristics and challenges that a child with autism faces as they enter adolescence.
| Challenge / Feature | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Difficulties associated with puberty | A girl may need to be clearly explained what a period is, what it feels like, and what sanitary products to use during it. Both boys and girls need to be explicitly taught about appropriate and inappropriate places to talk about sex and body changes. |
| Epilepsy/ Seizures | Children with autism are at higher risk of developing epilepsy than the general population. Due to hormonal changes at a young age, some children may develop epilepsy for the first time during this period. If a child already has epilepsy, the condition may worsen. |
| Problems with schoolwork | Even a child who is good at studying may find it difficult to understand conceptual concepts, think critically, and write essays in higher grades. They may find it difficult to adjust to this educational change. |
| Losing friends/being bullied | Repetitive behaviors, strange hobbies, and age-inappropriate social behaviors make them more likely to be bullied by peers. This can lead to them losing their friends and becoming lonely. |
| Mood disorders | The changes of adolescence and the pressures of society make it difficult for autistic children to regulate their emotions. This can lead to conditions such as depression or anxiety. In fact, about 39% of children with autism have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. |
Is there a difference between girls and boys?
Yes, this is a very important point. Girls with autism may behave differently than boys. Research has found that girls try to hide their autistic traits and act like normal children (just like acting). This is called 'camouflaging' or 'masking' .
Imagine, they try to talk, smile, and behave like everyone else in society. Although they may seem very sociable on the outside, they are very stressed and anxious on the inside.
If your daughter seems to have autism, but a doctor says she's "too social," it's important to get a second opinion. Delaying diagnosis increases your daughter's risk of developing serious mental health problems.
Why do my child's autism symptoms seem to be increasing at this age?
Simply put, it's stress . The reason autism symptoms seem to be more severe in young adulthood is because of the many new changes they have to deal with at that time. Think about physical changes, increased schoolwork, peer pressure, thinking about the future... When all of this comes at once, it's hard for a child with autism to handle. It's because of that stress that their symptoms become more apparent.
The important thing is that autism is not a disease that suddenly develops at a young age. The symptoms must have been present in the child since childhood. Sometimes, the symptoms may not be so obvious in childhood and may emerge with the challenges of adulthood.
If your child first shows these symptoms (being alone, doing the same things) at a young age , it could be something other than autism. So if you have any doubts, definitely talk to your doctor.
How to care for a young child with autism?
The first thing to remember is that autism is not a personality type. Even if your child has autistic traits, they are still an individual with their own unique likes, dislikes, needs, and feelings.
Let's help you be social, but don't force it.
Many young children with autism do not like to work with others. However, you can encourage them to be social through activities they enjoy . For example, a child who likes to draw can be placed in an art group, or a child who plays an instrument can be placed in a band.
Even if you want your child to have lots of friends, don't force them. They might be happier with just one best friend. The most important thing is to create an environment where friendships can flourish.
Clearly teach the skills needed for life
Normal young children learn a lot by watching their peers and not directly being taught. But your child with autism needs to be taught these life skills clearly, step by step.
- Personal hygiene and health: You may need to remind yourself to shower daily, use deodorant, and shave. Also, encourage good sleep, healthy eating , and exercise.
- Emotion Management: Recognize emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger, understand when someone else is sad, and practice self-soothe when you are feeling down.
- Safety skills: Teach them things like how to cross the street, how to ask for help when you need it, and not to go out with strangers.
- Social skills : Teach simple polite things like how to start a conversation with someone, asking "How are you?", saying hello, thank you, and holding a door open for someone.
- Money management: Practice things like how to order food from a store and pay for it, how to create a simple budget, and how to use a debit card.
A young child with autism has unique strengths and challenges in understanding the world. If your child has difficulty with social skills, sensory processing, and coping with changes in daily routines, he or she may benefit greatly from an evaluation for autism.
Take-Home Message
- Autistic symptoms appear to increase in young people, not because of a new onset of the disorder, but because of the stress experienced at that age.
- Girls can camouflage their features. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to seek a medical opinion.
- Instead of forcing your child to make friends, create an environment where they can be social through things they enjoy.
- Teach life skills like cleanliness, emotional control, safety, and money management clearly and directly.
- Your child is bigger than autism. Respect their identity and give them the support they need.
- If you have any doubts, questions, or concerns, it is very important to talk to a pediatrician or child psychiatrist.
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