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Dr Mazvita Machinga
Post Correspondent
As a psychotherapist, I have seen parents who come for therapy with children who are struggling with social communication and interaction.
The children have trouble understanding what’s happening around them – for example, what other people are saying or communicating non-verbally.
They also have difficulty communicating their own wants and needs, which can lead to frustration and tantrums.
The children also exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests.
Such a disability has a name and is called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Yes, it’s controversial but we can define who has it, and we know people with it can be helped to function better.
ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.
Autism developmental disorder affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills.
This is defined by the presence of abnormal and or impaired development that is manifest before the age of three years.
Its causes are not yet known.
It’s so important that parents and every community member be well-versed on the needs of children with ASD and how best they can help them.
People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other individuals.
Children with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention and have challenges in any of the four areas below:
Social interaction:- The children do not respond to affectionate gestures from parents, thus are unable to make warm relationships with people.
They attend to their own things regardless of who is around or what is happening in the environment.
They have deficits in social and emotional reciprocity and maintaining relationships.
Impairments in communication- Failure to develop normal speech, failure to communicate by gestures, body movements or facial expressions.
The children also lack social usage of language skills and impairment in social play.
They have deficits in non-verbal communication.
Behavioural abnormalities:- The children exhibit restrictive repetitive behavior and temper tantrums which may occur for little or no reason.
They get very upset by change in routine.
Cognitive abnormalities:- Regarding non-social cognition, the most impaired domains are processing speed, verbal learning, memory, reasoning, and problem solving.
Some common signs and symptoms
Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed.
Being non-verbal, or lacking in their speech development
Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
Plays with toys the same way every time – repetitive activities.
Difficulty relating to others – not smiling when you smile at them.
Repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers, head banging or rocking their body.
Not talking/communicating as much as other children.
Difficulties in appreciating others’ thoughts and feelings, problems regulating and controlling their behavior, and an enhanced ability to perceive details.
How to help
The first thing is to make sure that you seek medical assistance to rule out any organic cause of the symptoms.
Improve your understanding of how to support your child by learning about ASD.
Join support groups.
Depending on your child’s needs, speech therapy to improve communication skills, occupational therapy to teach activities of daily living, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance may be beneficial.
Directly teach specific social skills.
Teach social rules/skills such as turn taking and social distance. Keep language simple and clear.
Give fewer choices:- If a child is asked to pick a colour, say red, only give two to three choices to pick from.
The more choices, the more confused the child gets.
Do not leave choices open ended, say “Do you want to draw or read, instead of “What do you want to do now?”
Repeat instructions using short sentences and check understanding. Speak slowly and clearly.
Provide a very clear structure and a set of daily routine, including time for play.
Provide warning of any impending change of routine and or switch of activities – this will avoid child tantrums.
Always address the child individually so they know you’re speaking to them since the child may not realise that the instruction is given to her or him.
Avoid over stimulation or overloading e.g., noise and too much color on walls.
Remember that some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.
Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had, hence the importance of seeking professional help.
Current treatments for ASD seek to reduce symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and quality of life.
ASD affects each child differently, meaning that children with ASD have unique strengths and challenges and different treatment needs.
So, treatment plans usually involve multiple professionals and are catered to the individual.
Let us all support our children to reach their full potential.
Dr Mazvita Machinga is a qualified psychotherapist and mental health consultant based in Mutare. For more help call 0771 754 519. Toll free 08080482 email [email protected].
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