Article 2- Published in Borneo Bulletin page 10 on 12th July 2016
EARLY DIAGNOSIS CRUCIAL FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
By: Learning Ladders Society
Is early diagnosis of autism important?
YES. All autism advocate and experts agree on one common point: the earlier in life that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed and treated, the better! This is supported by scientific findings that the younger we are, the more adaptable our brains are. This is why it is especially important for the child at risk of ASD to be diagnosed and treated early as the early provision of therapy may encourage the young brain to redirect itself around defective neural pathways.
Some people think that getting a diagnosis is unnecessary or even undesirable. Some may argue that after all, a diagnosis is just a label. However, it is important to note that a label can bring greater understanding – understanding of one’s child, or of oneself. And understanding often leads to greater acceptance, and most importantly better access to the necessary help that the child deserves.
How early is early?
In previous decades, experts had been arguing that ASD could not be diagnosed until the child at risk reached the age of three. This is now considered a late age to get diagnosed. Fortunately the study of ASD has undergone numerous improvement over the past decades since its discovery in the 1940s. There are new screening tools that have been developed to identify children at risk from infancy up to 18 months old.
As mentioned in our previous article on “Do Not Ignore Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism” published in Borneo Bulletin dated 1st June 2016, early symptoms may include:
Parents don’t ignore your instincts!
It is significant to understand that each ASD case has a unique way in displaying its symptoms and can manifest at many different points of a child’s life. Parents are often the first to sense signs of danger – even though they might not be able to put a finger on what it might be. This is why parents should be observant about having their concerns addressed, even though they are only suspected concerns.
There are many pieces of concrete evidence that clearly show how delaying diagnosis for the children at risk of ASD may result to harmful effects on their development. Some parents may decide to adopt “wait and see” approach in observing oddity in their child’s developmental milestones. Some may even try to rationalise delaying getting their child diagnosed in the hope for the symptoms to miraculously disappear. The symptoms will not disappear. This is because children with ASD will not outgrow their symptoms at earlier stage of life. When they are denied the help they need, the symptoms will deteriorate and become more acute. Deterioration of symptoms may result in significant behaviour problems.
Benefits of early diagnosis
Early diagnosis is beneficial not just for the child at risk, but also highly beneficial for the parents raising the child with ASD. For the children with ASD, early diagnosis would mean better access to intervention at an earlier stage in their lives.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-based intervention is an example of widely-proven therapy that has shown better outcome for children with ASD. ABA-based interventions are entirely in line with the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities due to its dynamic and individually tailored programmes that are designed to suit the needs of the child as they grow and develop. In ABA interventions, children are taught the skills required to enhance the children's quality of life by highly trained and qualified staff. This is done in a playful and systematic manner and under strict ethical guidelines. This therapy can be accessed earlier for children when diagnosis is done at earlier stage of their lives. With the access to early intervention, the children will be able to reach their potential as they are taught early when brain agility is much more pronounced. As a result, the impact of intervention is much more far-reaching.
Getting early diagnosis of ASD could also bring great benefits for parents. A diagnosis is crucial for them to be able to gain access to emotional and financial help. Bringing up a child with special needs can be three times as expensive as bringing up other children. This is why it is significant to realise that getting early diagnosis is not just crucial for gaining early intervention, but is also essential to access other benefits such as special needs living allowance. Recent studies also indicate that parental stress can be lessened through early diagnosis, support and effective intervention. Delaying diagnosis prevents access to these.
There is no doubt that idea of putting a label to your child is certainly daunting. As mentioned earlier, some parents may even find it undesirable due to fear of “labelling”. In the case of ASD or even suspected ASD, it is important to address the concerns. Do not delay the diagnosis for the benefits of the children as well as for yourselves as parents. The numerous advantages of early diagnosis have been illustrated above. It can improve their quality of life, alleviate pressure on parents and help achieve financial support for the family.
“In diagnosis, there is empowerment and hope. A diagnosis of ASD is actually a key that opens the door to help support an intervention that can help the child live a fulfilling way of life”
EARLY DIAGNOSIS CRUCIAL FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
By: Learning Ladders Society
Is early diagnosis of autism important?
YES. All autism advocate and experts agree on one common point: the earlier in life that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed and treated, the better! This is supported by scientific findings that the younger we are, the more adaptable our brains are. This is why it is especially important for the child at risk of ASD to be diagnosed and treated early as the early provision of therapy may encourage the young brain to redirect itself around defective neural pathways.
Some people think that getting a diagnosis is unnecessary or even undesirable. Some may argue that after all, a diagnosis is just a label. However, it is important to note that a label can bring greater understanding – understanding of one’s child, or of oneself. And understanding often leads to greater acceptance, and most importantly better access to the necessary help that the child deserves.
How early is early?
In previous decades, experts had been arguing that ASD could not be diagnosed until the child at risk reached the age of three. This is now considered a late age to get diagnosed. Fortunately the study of ASD has undergone numerous improvement over the past decades since its discovery in the 1940s. There are new screening tools that have been developed to identify children at risk from infancy up to 18 months old.
As mentioned in our previous article on “Do Not Ignore Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism” published in Borneo Bulletin dated 1st June 2016, early symptoms may include:
- No big smiles or other warm joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
- No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
- No babbling by 12 months
- No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
- No words by 16 months
- No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
- Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Parents don’t ignore your instincts!
It is significant to understand that each ASD case has a unique way in displaying its symptoms and can manifest at many different points of a child’s life. Parents are often the first to sense signs of danger – even though they might not be able to put a finger on what it might be. This is why parents should be observant about having their concerns addressed, even though they are only suspected concerns.
There are many pieces of concrete evidence that clearly show how delaying diagnosis for the children at risk of ASD may result to harmful effects on their development. Some parents may decide to adopt “wait and see” approach in observing oddity in their child’s developmental milestones. Some may even try to rationalise delaying getting their child diagnosed in the hope for the symptoms to miraculously disappear. The symptoms will not disappear. This is because children with ASD will not outgrow their symptoms at earlier stage of life. When they are denied the help they need, the symptoms will deteriorate and become more acute. Deterioration of symptoms may result in significant behaviour problems.
Benefits of early diagnosis
Early diagnosis is beneficial not just for the child at risk, but also highly beneficial for the parents raising the child with ASD. For the children with ASD, early diagnosis would mean better access to intervention at an earlier stage in their lives.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-based intervention is an example of widely-proven therapy that has shown better outcome for children with ASD. ABA-based interventions are entirely in line with the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities due to its dynamic and individually tailored programmes that are designed to suit the needs of the child as they grow and develop. In ABA interventions, children are taught the skills required to enhance the children's quality of life by highly trained and qualified staff. This is done in a playful and systematic manner and under strict ethical guidelines. This therapy can be accessed earlier for children when diagnosis is done at earlier stage of their lives. With the access to early intervention, the children will be able to reach their potential as they are taught early when brain agility is much more pronounced. As a result, the impact of intervention is much more far-reaching.
Getting early diagnosis of ASD could also bring great benefits for parents. A diagnosis is crucial for them to be able to gain access to emotional and financial help. Bringing up a child with special needs can be three times as expensive as bringing up other children. This is why it is significant to realise that getting early diagnosis is not just crucial for gaining early intervention, but is also essential to access other benefits such as special needs living allowance. Recent studies also indicate that parental stress can be lessened through early diagnosis, support and effective intervention. Delaying diagnosis prevents access to these.
There is no doubt that idea of putting a label to your child is certainly daunting. As mentioned earlier, some parents may even find it undesirable due to fear of “labelling”. In the case of ASD or even suspected ASD, it is important to address the concerns. Do not delay the diagnosis for the benefits of the children as well as for yourselves as parents. The numerous advantages of early diagnosis have been illustrated above. It can improve their quality of life, alleviate pressure on parents and help achieve financial support for the family.
“In diagnosis, there is empowerment and hope. A diagnosis of ASD is actually a key that opens the door to help support an intervention that can help the child live a fulfilling way of life”
If your child has one or more of the following symptoms, consider asking a doctor to evaluate your child for possible autism:
As an infant:
By one year old:
As a child:
As an infant:
- Slow to start speaking
- Refers to themselves by name instead of “me” or “I”
By one year old:
- Not responding to their name
- Lack of happy expressions
- Lack of babbling
- Problems establishing eye contact
- Staring for a long time at items which aren’t moving
As a child:
- Looks through people, not aware of others
- Not responsive to other’s facial expressions/feelings
- Lack of pretend play; little or no imagination
- Does not show typical interest in peers or play near peers purposefully
- Lack of turn taking in games
- Lack of joint attention
- Non-verbal communication delays or impairment
- Does not point at an object to direct another person to look at it
- Lack of eye-contact
- Lack of initiation of activity or social play
- Repetitive behaviour or movements
- Unusual reactions or lack of reaction to sensory stimuli
- Desire to adhere to certain routines
- Failure to respond to their name
- Difficulties interpreting social cues (e.g., tone of voice, facial expressions)
- Lack of awareness of classroom “norms” (for school-age children) – this includes criticising teachers, unwillingness to co-operate in classroom activities, inability to appreciate or follow current trends and fads and fit in the crowd)
- Showing extreme reaction to invasion of personal space and resistance to being hurried (for school-age children)
