What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex neurodevelopment disability. It is characterised by difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. Autism can be detected from an early stage in a child’s life. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a wide range of strengths and challenges.
Inspire’s continuous mission is to keep providing help for these people. In order to do so, we need your help. Together, we can raise more autism awareness. During the month of April (World Autism Awareness Month), we encourage you to wear blue – the autism awareness colour. You could also help us reach our goal by clicking the ‘DONATE NOW’ buttons shown here.
Click here to download a free printable Autism Awareness colouring page.
Children with autism can benefit greatly with early intervention programmes. Therefore, as a parent or caregiver, becoming familiar with typical childhood developmental milestones is one of the most important things you can do.
The following are a few ‘red flags’ that may indicate your child is at risk of being on the autism spectrum. Not all children show all the signs and many children who don’t have autism may also show a few.
However, if you notice your child is exhibiting any of the following ‘red flags’, please seek guidance from relevant professionals such as a Psychologist, or Speech and Language Pathologist. Inspire offers support through a range of programmes & services.
By 6 Months
• Doesn’t try to get things that are in reach
• Does not show affection for caregivers
• Doesn’t respond to sounds around him
• Has difficulty getting things to mouth
• Doesn’t make vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”)
• Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds
By 9 months
• Doesn’t babble (“mama”, “baba”, “dada”)
• Doesn’t play any games involving back-and-forth play
• Doesn’t respond to name
• Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people
• Doesn’t look to where you point
By 12 months
• Doesn’t search for things that he sees you hide
• Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada”
• Doesn’t learn gestures like waving or shaking head
• Doesn’t point to things
• Loses skills he once had
At Any Age
• Regression of any kind
• Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, light, textures and tastes
• Extremely restricted interests
• Extreme resistance to change