Communication Skills
These children:
- Do not generally share observation or experiences with peers or family members.
- Have little to no eye contact.
- May have limited to no speech. They may often repeat words / phrases, and this is referred to as echolalia.
- Tend not to seek out comfort or want to be cuddled.
- Do not play with peers but prefer to play alone.
- May frequently cry and scream due to inability to verbally communicate. However, there may also be an absence of speech.
Behaviour
These children:
- May have repetitive movements such as flapping of the arms.
- May show an obsession over specific toys. They may spend time ordering toys.
- Respond well when they have a set routine. They do not respond to change. Following a schedule helps to settle them.
- Can be fussy eaters. They may only like foods with a particular texture.
- Can have sleeping issues. Getting up repeatedly during the night or rising very early in the morning.
- Can have toileting difficulties.
- Often do not like loud noises
- Can be very easily distracted in the classroom setting.
RED FLAGS OF AUTISM IN THE PRIMARY YEARS
These children:
- May find it difficult to take turns in conversation.
- May dominate conversations talking about topics that are of interest to them.
- Find it difficult to read social skills.
- Find it difficult to make friends.
- Find it difficult following the rules in games.
- Like rigid routines that are predictable.
- Have short attention spans.
- Speak in monotonous tone.
- Do not like loud noises.
- Are often quite anxious and on high alert.
- Often have sensory needs.
If your child has difficulty making friends, reading social cues, flowing rules to games, taking turns in conversation, Perth Speech Therapy holds social skills groups on Saturdays. They are for children from 3 years to 12 years. Phone to enquire as to how we can help your child.
Perth Speech Therapy works with families who are self-funded NDIS clients.
https://www.autismawareness.com.au/could-it-be-autism/autism-signs/school-age/