Who do you know if he has a delay or a child? You might think this question is obvious, but it’s not. Many parents struggle with this problem for months, even years before they do something about it. and a child in need of support. They do not want to believe that it is unfair to their offspring. They say he will catch up, he will be here. Children sometimes receive real estate, and sometimes large, sometimes not. The sooner your child gets the help he needs, the better.
Let’s say your child is two and not talking yet or maybe not walking yet, three and not forming words or speaking sentences, four and hasn’t learned colors and shapes. Something is wrong. Your child may be late. He could have a physical or mental delay, or he could have something along the lines of Autism or another diagnosable disorder. There is nothing to be ashamed of, now we must act.
How do I know if my child has Autism?
Autism affects many children and in different degrees. Just because your child doesn’t show some of the major symptoms of Autism, doesn’t mean he isn’t somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Many children on the Autism spectrum go undiagnosed and do not receive the help or advice that will help them become well-adjusted functioning young adults.
Autism spectrum is a phrase surrounding a wide range of problems ranging from full blown autism to Asperger-syndrome and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). Children on the Autism spectrum are often labeled as “different”, “unique”, “socially slow”, “emotional”. They are often anxious to make friends or friends or both. They do things differently than most children. Disciplines are difficult because they don’t fully understand or care how to implement penalties after the first 10 minutes or so. They have meltdowns and have hot tempers. Sometimes they don’t know or care when they are hurting someone or themselves.
Meltdowns are a chain of events caused by someone overstimulating. When in crowded places, bright lights, noise or high expectations from a teacher or parent can cause a meltdown. They may hit others or hit their head with valves, but they are not aggressive, they are just trying to find a way to deal with the intense emotion they are feeling.
Major meltdowns where they lash out at others and sometimes hurt themselves or others are remembered by many of us autistic children as temper tantrums. and their counsellors. These angers and rages are more on the aggressive side than just a meltdown. They get mad because their favorite toy was either taken away or didn’t arrive. This is when they intend to harm you, or to do themselves a favor, and to receive the stolen property.
Physical Delays
A physical delay can be something as simple as not walking by 18 months of age. He may also be unable to build blocks or walk straight. Physical delay can sometimes occur as early as six months when your child is supposed to roll over and maybe even sit up, but can’t. Physical delay is sometimes not caught until a child is three or four years old and is supposed to be playing with small toys and building blocks, but they can’t. He’s maybe five and still can’t run and play with the other kids.
Retardation of mind
Children saying “da da” usually start before six months of age. Around this time they also begin to explore their fingers and toes. By eight months old they are often sitting on their own and starting to eat simple foods like Cheerios and say more words, maybe four to ten words. For eighteen months they must walk and compose words to make sentences. If they cannot do these things in time there are two times to check them.
Getting help
If you happen to live in the US, Unity is right next to you. The middle unit is a place where your child can be tested and, if he is found to be delayed, he can get help. If you don’t know where your local Intermediate Unit is or how to get them, ask for help from anywhere in your area.
Your local Intermediate Unit will either come to their office or send someone to your home to assess your child. They do things that look like they are playing with your child. This is a series of tests, but it’s fun to prove that your child will really enjoy it. From these tests they will be able to tell if your child has delays.
They will bring this information back to the Media Unit to come up with a plan to help your child. If your child needs any special help, they will either have to go somewhere or have someone come to your home every week to help you and your child. They will teach you skills that you can use throughout the week to help your child, and they will do something with him to help him when they see him.
I will tell you what to do above what they are going to do. You can take your child to a specialist to get a formal diagnosis if they suspect mental retardation, autism or something else. This diagnosis will help you more. The diagnosis will also help your insurance company know what they are treating your child for.
In some states you can get insurance for children with disabilities state. Check with your local health office to find out if this is an option for you.
