Childhood Autism: Unique Findings - Essay Example

“The average age of diagnosis is still around 6 years” (Howlin & Moorf, 1997). This statement shows that autism is a problem that can be diagnosed when a child starts communicating with others. For example, if a family finds a child unable to react to sounds, the child may be the victim of autism. Diagnosis of autism includes various methods such as observations and interviews to determine whether the signs of autism exist in a child or not. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of a child make him/her improve his/her hearing abilities.

Physical examination and observation are two of the ways, which help doctors diagnose autism in a child. Harmon (n.d.), “Autistics do not perceive and relate to the rest of the world in the same way as non-autistics”. They behave somewhat differently because they are unable to develop concepts in their minds properly. For example, normal children learn quickly. They understand the importance of learning but autistic children find it difficult to learn things because they do not know their importance.

To examine this change, doctors can make use of screening tools that can help them evaluate the hearing and communication skills of the children. Evaluation of hearing and interaction skills in different settings makes the physicians determine autism in children. Autism diagnosis also includes close observation of a child’s behavior in normal settings. These observations reveal a child’s level of interaction with family members, which proves to be very helpful in the diagnosis of autism. Close observations not only include observation of behaviors in a normal setting but also include observation in unusual settings created by the doctors.

“Autism is influenced by complex, yet strong genetic factors” (Cook, 1998). This statement shows that autism is a genetic problem and its ratio is high in such homes where parents are also experiencing some minor or major form of autism. The role of parents in dealing with autistic children is very crucial. Parents should not take autism as a problem, which cannot be dealt with y medical professionals; rather they should regularly take their children to psychologists or pediatric neurologists for treatment.

Parents should also provide psychologists with the medical history of their autistic children to assist them in the treatment of autism. MMiller'smethod is one of the most famous methods used for the treatment of autism. In this method, medical professionals involve whole bodies of autistic children repetitively and physically in the process of learning. For example, doctors develop the capacities of children on the autism spectrum by making the children repeat what they learn from different experiences.

Creating a reward plan is another method in which medical professionals including psychologists and pediatric neurologists make use of rewards to make the children learn different words and gestures. Autistic children are observed in different situations, and they are given rewards based on their performances. This method motivates children to speak and react to actions. Therefore, we can say that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can be diagnosed and treated effectively at the early stages of a child’s life.