Autistic children may face a variety of health issues, including difficulty with communication, sensory processing difficulties, repetitive behaviours, sleep problems, gastrointestinal issues, mental health issues, seizures, difficulty with transitions and social interaction, limited interests, difficulty with motor skills, attention and focus, and self-care. Autistic children can face health issues, including:
Difficulty with Communication
Many autistic children have difficulty expressing themselves verbally and understanding spoken language. They may also have trouble with nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions and body language.
Sensory Processing Difficulties
Some children with autism have heightened sensitivity to certain sensory inputs, such as loud noises or bright lights. Others may have decreased sensitivity to sensory input, such as touch or pain. These difficulties can affect a child’s ability to participate in daily activities and can cause distress.
Repetitive Behaviours
Many children with autism engage in repetitive behaviours, such as rocking, spinning, or flapping their hands. These behaviours can be soothing for the child, but can also limit their ability to engage in other activities.
Sleep Problems
People with autism often have difficulty sleeping through the night. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, or disturbances in the sleep cycle.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Autistic children experience digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. These issues may be caused by food allergies or sensitivities, difficulty with eating, or other medical conditions.
Mental Health Issues
Children with autism are at an increased risk for developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be caused by difficulties with communication and social interaction, as well as the challenges of living with a chronic condition.
Seizures
Some children with autism may experience seizures, which can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. Seizures can affect a child’s ability to learn and engage in daily activities, and can also cause distress for the child and their family.
Difficulty with Transition
Children with autism also have difficulty adjusting to changes in their environment or routine. This can make it challenging for them to transition between activities or cope with changes in their daily schedule.
Difficulty with Social Interaction
Autism children may face problem in understanding and responding to social cues, such as facial expressions and tone of voice. This can make it challenging for them to engage in social interactions and form friendships.
Limited Interests
Children with autism may have very limited interests and may only engage in a small number of activities. This can make it difficult for them to find new hobbies and activities that they enjoy.
Difficulty with Motor Skills
Autistic children face problem with fine and gross motor skills, which can make it challenging for them to participate in physical activities and engage in daily tasks such as getting dressed and eating.
Difficulty with Attention and Focus
Children with autism may have difficulty focusing on tasks and maintaining attention. This can make it challenging for them to engage in learning activities and complete homework assignments.
Difficulty with Self-Care
Children with autism have issues with self-care tasks such as brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and getting dressed. These difficulties can affect their ability to participate in daily activities and can also cause distress for the child and their family.
What Research Says
According to the autism speaks,
- GI disorders are eight times higher in autistic children than others.
- We find eating and feeding issues in 7 out of 10 autistic children.
- More than half of children with autism have one or more sleep issues.
- Anxiety disorders affect 42 per cent of autistic persons.
- Depression affects 7% of children and 26 %of adults with ASD.
- About 16-18% of Down syndrome are with ASD.
Gut Health and Autism Spectrum, How to Improve Eye Contact in Autism, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of condition is autism? Being autistic does not mean someone is suffering from illness or disease. It means that the mind works differently. It’s something he/she is born with. Signs of autism can be seen at a very young when he/she was unable to give social smiles. What is the medical reason for autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder is due to disturbances in brain development. These can be problems in genes that manage brain development and their interaction with each other.
Overall, Autistic children have to face a wide range of health issues that can affect their ability to participate in daily activities and engage in learning and social interactions. Many of these issues can be treated with therapy and medication, and with the right support, children with autism can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
