Light autism, also called grade 1 autistic spectrum disorder, is characterized by symptoms such as avoiding group activities, difficulty relating to other people, understanding jokes and ironies, starting conversations, understanding and/or using body language.
Although light autism is not a correct diagnosis of medicine, it is a very popular expression, being used to describe a person with light characteristics of autism who can do almost all daily tasks independently.
Since symptoms are light, it is common for autism to be identified only later in childhood, when the child begins to have greater interaction with others and to perform more complex tasks. Learn more about autism.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of light autism are:
1. Communication problems
One of the signs that may indicate that the child has autism is to have problems communicating with other people, such as not being able to speak correctly, give misuse to words or not knowing how to express themselves using words.
2. Difficulties in socialization
Another very characteristic sign of autism is the existence of difficulties to socialize with other people, such as difficulty making friends, starting or maintaining a conversation or even looking at other people in their eyes.
3. Behavior changes
Children with autism often have changes to behavior that would be expected from a child without autism, such as having a repetitive standard of movements and fixation by objects. In general, some of the characteristics of autism that can help in their diagnosis are:
- Affected interpersonal relationship;
- Inappropriate laughter;
- Do not look in the eyes;
- Emotional coldness;
- Few demonstrations of pain;
- Enjoy playing with the same toy or object always playing;
- Difficulty focusing on a simple task and realizing it;
- Preference for being alone than playing with other children;
- Not apparently fear of dangerous situations;
- Keep repeating words or sentence in inappropriate places;
- Do not respond when it is called by the name as if it were deaf;
- Anger hits;
- Difficulty expressing your feelings with speech or gestures.
Moreover, although light autists can also be bothered by changes in routine, preferring to avoid changes, they usually do not have changes in the level of intelligence.
Autism test
To know the probability of the child being in the autistic spectrum, you can use some screening tests:
This test should not be used as a diagnosis, so it is recommended that in any case of suspicion if you consult a pediatrician or neuropediatrician to be correctly evaluated.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The only way to confirm the diagnosis of autism is to consult a pediatrician or neuropediatrician so that it can evaluate the child’s behavior, as well as parents and acquaintances.
Make an appointment with the nearest doctor, using the following tool to make an evaluation:
Autism diagnosis may take several months to be confirmed after parents or caregivers identify the first signs. For this reason, several experts indicate that if there is suspicion, early interventions are initiated to the area of affected behavior (eg language), as early intervention is fundamental to the child’s development and their future welfare.
How should treatment be
Treatment for “light autism” can be done through speech therapy and psychotherapy, for example, which will help the child develop and interact better with others.
In cases where there are few symptoms and when treatment is done according to the doctor’s guidance, people with mild autism may acquire independence to perform most daily activities over time.
Autism of Grade 1 (light) Is there a cure?
The “light autism” has no cure. However, with adequate stimulation through therapies such as speech therapy and psychotherapy, the person with “mild autism” can reach high levels of development. Learn more about treatment for autism.
Source: www.tuasaude.com