Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests differently in each individual. When diagnosing ASD, doctors focus on two primary symptoms and assess their severity to determine the necessary level of daily support. The severity levels range from level 1 (“requiring support”) to level 3 (“requiring very substantial support”). It’s important to note that not everyone with ASD exhibits these core symptoms in the same manner, and some individuals without ASD may also display similar signs.
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Understanding Autism
When you closely observe your child’s social interactions, they stand out in three significant ways. For example, they might struggle to grasp the thoughts and feelings of others, distressing levels of anxiety could envelop them in social situations, and lastly, they often participate in repetitive behaviors.
Familiarizing yourself with these signs – the 3 main symptoms of autism – goes beyond a clinical understanding; it’s akin to learning a language that helps you connect with your neurodivergent kids.
Difficulty Understanding What Others Think or Feel
Putting myself in the shoes of a child experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorder, I’ve noticed empathy can often seem like an abstract painting. The understanding is there, but it’s sometimes pieced together uniquely; it just needs a little decoding. You’ve likely observed your child struggling to understand what their friends feel during playtime or an inability to understand why mommy is upset if they’re late for dinner. That’s the autism visuals working at a different wavelength.
What can help is creating a systematic approach to emotions — like a traffic light system. Green for good, red for distress, and an amber middle ground. Visual aids such as emotion flashcards could aid this process.
Social Anxiety
If anxiety were a party guest, it would be the one who shows up unannounced, frequently causing discomfort — especially for our neurodivergent kids. The bully in the playground makes them anxious or upset in unfamiliar social events. Their reaction isn’t a penchant for solitude but a response to feeling overwhelmed.
Read more: Sensory Processing Disorder
The key is finding ways to lessen the onslaught, such as providing your child with a detailed rundown of an upcoming event, including who will be present and what activities might occur. Familiarity often lessens anxiety.
Repetitive Behaviors – The World in a Loop
Does your child engage in repeated actions or insist on following certain routines? It’s like their favorite song is on replay – a comforting familiarity in a world that can sometimes feel chaotic. This isn’t mere preference; it plays a calming, centering role for children with autism.
Hence, instead of seeking to curb these actions, we could create safe spaces for them.
The Bigger Autism Spectrum
Peeking beyond the core signs, your kids may display other indicators of autism as well. For example, you may have noticed that your child prefers solitary play, often remains unlabeled for perceived bluntness, struggles when expressing emotions, or finds sensory stimuli such as bright lights or loud noises overwhelming.
Parsing such a list, it’s crucial to remember that autism varies significantly across individuals — one child’s profile could differ from another’s. Consequently, diagnosis tends to rely on observing these signs in clusters rather than in isolation.
Engaging in the same activities, struggling with understanding social cues, or initiating social interactions might also be part of your child’s nuances. But do not be disheartened; remember, being different isn’t being incorrect. In fact, these varied threads of individuality often weave together a tapestry of unique perspectives and potentials.
Goally | Visual Scheduler for Autism
Does your child struggle with getting ready in the morning independently? Goally’s routine app on the best tablet for kids breaks down large tasks into small, achievable steps for autistic kids. Create custom routines with your own videos & pictures for every step.
Stepping into the world of a child with autism, you’ll find it painted with unique hues of understanding, anxiety, and patterns. As with any journey, comprehension is the first step. Now that you’re familiar with what the 3 main symptoms of autism encompass use this knowledge as a compass guiding you through your parenting journey. Redefine empathy in terms your child can comprehend, provide a safety net against social anxiety, and accept their need for repetitive behavior as a sanctuary in a chaotic world. Remember, these unique traits can craft a panorama of potential for your uniquely beautiful child when observed with love and patience. The bond shared between you and your neurodivergent kids is akin to a dance – sometimes challenging but always significantly rewarding. Learn more about autism in 6 year olds.
FAQ’s About The 3 Main Symptoms of Autism
What are the 3 main symptoms of autism? The 3 main symptoms of autism are difficulty in understanding other's emotions, high social anxiety, and repetitive behaviors. How can parents help their child with autism understand others' emotions? Parents can employ tools like visual aids, emotional flashcards, or digital apps to help children decode and understand others' feelings better. How can parents manage social anxiety in children with autism? Parents can provide a detailed event rundown before social gatherings, familiarize them with upcoming scenarios to lessen anxiety. Are repetitive behaviors in children with autism a cause for concern? Repetitive behaviors act as a comforting mechanism for children with autism, rather than curbing, parents could create safe spaces for these actions. Can other behaviors indicate autism in a child? Yes, behaviors like preferring solitude, finding sensory stimuli overwhelming, struggling with expressing emotions, or engaging in the same activities repeatedly can also indicate autism.
This post was originally published on 04/20/2023. It was updated on 08/02/2024.
Emily is a seasoned blog writer for Goally, leveraging her extensive background in child psychology and special education to provide valuable insights and resources for parents. Her commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of these children, combined with her expertise in educational strategies, makes her a credible and empathetic voice for families.
