Spotting Autism in Early Years and how to Effectively Support your Child

Spotting Autism in Early Years and how to Effectively Support your Child

Co-author – Laura Bowler

It is estimated worldwide that 1 in every 100 children have autism. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and how to support your child with autism.

What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. Having autism does not mean you have an illness or a disease, it means your brain works slightly differently to others, and that is totally okay.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Avoids or does not keep eye contact
  • Does not respond to their name by 9 months old
  • Does not show facial expressions, such as happy, sad, angry or surprised by 9 months old
  • Does not play simple interactive games (such as pat-a-cake) by 12 months old
  • Uses few, or no hand gestures, like waving, by 12 months old
  • Lines toys up and gets upset when the order is changed
  • Repeats words or phrases over and over and over again (This is called Echolalia)
  • Plays with toys the same way every single time
  • Focused on certain parts of an object (such as wheels on a car)
  • Gets upset by minor changes
  • Has obsessive interests
  • Must always follow certain routines
  • Flaps hands, rocks body or spins in circles
  • Unusual reactions to how things sound, smell, look or feel
  • Delayed language skills
  • Delayed movement skills
  • Delayed cognitive or learning skills
  • Hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive behaviour
  • Epilepsy or seizure disorder
  • Unusual eating and sleeping habits
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Unusual moods to emotional reactions
  • Anxiety, stress or excessive worry
  • Lack of fear or more fear than expected
  • Not smiling when you smile at them
  • Not talking as much as other children
  • Not doing much pretend play
  • Plays alone and engaged in own play
  • Overwhelmed in loud or busy places
  • Repetitive play

How to support your child with Autism
There are many ways that you can support your child with autism in their day to day life. Every child is different, so what might work for one child might not for another. It is important to find out what works for your child, so you know how best to support them.

  • Use your child’s name when speaking to them
  • Try not to ask your child lots of questions
  • Keep language simple and clear and speak slowly and clearly
  • Try not to have conversations with your child in a crowded place
  • Use simple gestures, eye contact, pictures and symbols when talking to your child
  • Try not to say things that can have more than one meaning (e.g. “break a leg” and “pull your socks up”
  • Allow extra time for your child to register what has been said

How to Cherubs Nurseries support your child with Autism
Here at Cherubs Nurseries, we have an excellent support network in place to aid children with special educational needs to achieve their potential during their time with us.

Each nursery has a designated SENCO, (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Cherubs Nurseries SEN policy. Laura Bowler is the head of SEN and oversees all the SENCO’s at each nursery. All SENCO’s meet quarterly, to discuss any concerns within their nursery, as well as the successes and what is working well.

When any concerns regarding a child come to light, whether they have come from a member of staff or they are brought forward by a parent, the nursery’s SENCO begins to do observations on the child, monitoring their behaviour and activity. After these observations have taken place, a meeting will be organised with the parents/careers and the Nursery Manager to put together a course of action on how best to support their child. After this meeting, the necessary action will be taken. This is normally a referral to a Speech and Language Therapist, Health Visitor or GP, so they are aware of the changes and are then also available to support the child. From here, you might be able to apply for funding for your child. From this point, termly meetings with the parent will take place, although these can be more frequent depending on the needs of the child. Finally, a targeted personalised support plan will be put in place from their two year check.

Resources
Here are some helpful resources that should come in handy when learning how best to support your child with autism.

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