Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism), is classified as a neuro developmental disorder in the fifth edition of the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatry. There are more boys with autism than girls, with a ratio of about 4:1.

The number of children with autism in the United States has increased more than 150 times in the past 40 years. In March 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a statistical report that one in every 68 newborn babies in the United States is autistic; the chance of a boy is 1 :42, and the girl is 1:189.

Any of the following risk factors in combination may cause autism:

1. Rare genetic mutation

2. Heredity

3. Atypical brain development

4. Environmental factors

5. Infectious diseases during pregnancy

Environmental factors include: senior parents, heavy metal pollution, immune system, antibiotics, food allergies, environmental pollution, illness during pregnancy and the risks caused by production.

Studies have shown that simple environmental factors do not directly lead to autism, only when a combination of high-risk genetics and environmental factors can lead to the emergence of autism.

Studies have also confirmed that autism has nothing to do with mental disorders or parenting styles.

A. Children with autism usually have the following three basic characteristics before the age of three:

1. Social development barriers – Children live in their own solitude, few friends, not good at observing words, not knowing where to go;

2. Communication barriers – Spoken language development is slow, often using rigid, repetitive or parrot-style speech

3. Repetitive and limited behavior patterns – often adhere to certain ways of doing things, such as taking a bus or a specific seat on a certain route, and refusing to change the habits of daily life.

    

B. Children with autism may also have the following related characteristics:

1. Special perception mode

2. Overall development barriers

3. emotional and behavioral difficulties

4. Abnormal lifestyles such as eating and sleeping

5. Lack of ability to experience the thoughts and feelings of others

6. Special strengths and interests

*US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Common behaviours in autistic infants:

• If the language is slow to develop or does not understand, use gestures to express your needs.

• Parents are not required to hug during infancy and will not attract attention.

• Rarely have eye contact with people, lack of social skills or often stand alone and go it alone.

• No response or answer to others’ speech, lack of emotional response and facial expression changes.

• Not afraid of danger, not paying attention to or perceiving environmental changes around you, or reacting abnormally to environmental changes, such as yelling and losing your temper.

• Excessively active, restless, and constantly moving around, the daily sleep time is very short, about 4-5 hours.

• Especially attached to certain objects and like to rotate objects, lack of creativity and imagination to play games.

• Character stubbornness, impulsivity and refusal to change lifestyle habits; when there is change, you will lose your temper and mood.

When you find that your child is suspected of the above behavior, it is recommended to arrange for autism testing as soon as possible so as not to miss the golden period of treatment.

A. Basic communication skills  with Autistics

• Eye contact: Because people with autism are weak and avoid eye contact, they should try to attract their attention when communicating with them, but don’t insist on forcing, because maintaining eye contact is true for some autistic people. A pressure that has the opportunity to trigger its emotions.

• Moderate and clear volume: People with autism are sensitive to tone, so when talking to them, the sound should be soft and the words should be concise and clear.

B. Correct attitude towards Autistics

• Treat them as one of us and be equal.

• Show them care and help.

• Accept them into the community life.

• Help them overcome their flaws.

• Encourage them to develop a normal social life.

• Don’t expect too much or too much care for them, leading to frustration or dependence.

• Be patient with them and listen to their voices.

• Confirm their contribution to society.

C. Ten things that autistic children want you to know

1. I am a child, I have autism, but autism is not my only trait.

2. I have sensory disorders

3. Please distinguish what I can’t or can’t do.

4. I can only understand the meaning of the language in a literal sense.

5. I understand the vocabulary is limited, please be patient with me.

6. Language is too difficult for me, I am very visually oriented

7. Please help me develop from what I can do, don’t just pay attention to things I can’t do.

8. Please help me build social interaction

9. Please try to find out what caused me to crash.

10. Please love me unconditionally

D. If you are confronted with the behavior and attitude of autistic children who are losing their temper

In the case of autistic children without family members:

1. Keep calm, watch from the side, let him calm down and calm down without hurting himself or others. Try to find a safer place.

2. Let him calm down, for example, ask him to sit down, or stand for a while. If possible, it is best to evacuate the pedestrians and avoid putting pressure on him.

3. Try to communicate with him and understand his situation. With simple, clear words and a cordial and caring tone, with facial expressions, gestures and gestures (such as nodding, smiling, pat on his shoulders) to comfort and flatten his emotions.
   When he is out of control, try to contact his family or notify the police or ambulance.

E. If you encounter an autistic child who is suspected of being lost, you can pay attention to the following matters:

1. Try to communicate with him and understand his situation. Use simple, clear words and affirmative, intimate and caring tone, with facial expressions, gestures and movements (such as nodding, smiling) to comfort and calm his emotions, tell him that you will help him find his family, tell him not to mess go.

2. Try giving him paper and pen to see if he can write his name and address; or let him try to call if he can contact his family. If he is a child and has a problem with his language skills, he should seek the assistance of the police directly.

3. Through a simple observation, see if he has a bracelet, necklace, brand name, key ring, collar or inner sleeve of the sleeve that can prove his identity and emergency contact. Don’t search him without his consent. Items. If you cannot find the information, you should contact the police as soon as possible. If his mood is unstable or overly alarmed, he can only follow him quietly, pay attention to his whereabouts, and should seek help from other people present and notify the police or ambulance as soon as possible.

4. If you find that you can’t communicate with him, please don’t give up and leave. You should seek help from other people present and notify the police as soon as possible. Don’t let the lost person leave before the police arrive.