The real signs and symptoms

The deal is that every parent looks at the signs and symptoms of autism, and because they are often subtle or they make sense in context of their child, they don't see them as signs & symptoms. I mean, eventually you do, but the earlier you can get your child therapies and strategies, the more you can defeat autistic behaviors in the borderline cases and the more tools for success you can give your child who is firmly in autism. This is the impossible thing -- early detection on something that is imperceptible.

So here are the real signs and symptoms that you should use to determine if you need to get your child tested on the CARS scale (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) by your school system or doctor. The following list is not about what your child exhibits -- these are the signs and symptoms that you exhibit.

Alice's Parent Autism Rating Scale:

Social Skills
- In play groups you have a strained smile on your face while all the other mothers look bored, disinterested, exhausted or just fine when discussing the play behavior of the kids.

-- When around other parents they seem relaxed and unconcerned about what their child is doing on the playground. You are constantly on the look out for 'what next'.

-- At the McDonald's other mothers allow their children to wander to the condiment stand or drink dispenser without fear and you can't imagine allowing your child to get a napkin or a drink without your help.

Language
-- You say things like 'Oh that's just (your child's name) he's his own person!'

-- You are constantly coming up with reasons for why no one else can understand your child's language but you.

-- You make excuses for not getting together with other children.

-- You have heard this phrase coming out of your mouth more than once, "See? He's fine!"

-- You holler your child's name 3, 4, 5 times and can't figure out why they aren't responding.

-- You constantly discipline your small child for not listening.

-- You find yourself explaining why your child 'does that odd thing' to other children or parents.

Behavior
-- you are always in a state of panic.

-- you wonder if you'll have to discipline your child with time outs or taking away toys to get them to go to bed at night.

-- you have to physically lay on your child to get them to stop moving.

-- you have to teach your child how to play with toys.

-- you are always picking up broken toys or ripped books that have been played with in a way that books or toys are not meant to be used.

-- You can never guess what your child will do or how they will respond to a situation.

-- You find yourself going the same way in the car, doing the same routines, so that your child won't 'freak out.'

-- You become elated when your child does something that other kids do all the time: use a spoon, drink from a cup, put pieces into a puzzle.


Moms, if you are doing that much work and you still feel an underlying sense of panic or confusion about your child then take a second look at the signs and symptoms of Autism. I know it's horrible and frightening to think it might be so, but believe me, the more tools you have, the better you child will do and the less stress on them and on you. Hang in their, Moms. You're doing great.