Growth, Development and Psychosocial Issues

Growth, Development and Psychosocial Issues

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Autism is a development problem that children develop at an early age. There are several milestones that mark the growth of a child. It is important to note that children do not develop the same but there is a window period during which certain stages of a child’s life are supposed to have developed like speech, movement, and simple body coordination actions like feeding themselves. Any aspect that slows this down is considered a disorder. Autism occurs in many children at the early life stages and for some who are lucky, the symptoms subside as they grow (Thrasybule, 2012). Nursing an autistic child involves knowing the symptoms of autism, how to manage and the aftercare procedure of an autistic child. 

The diagnosis protocol of autism involves, screening during the postnatal clinic visits where the growth of a child is monitored (Thrasybule, 2012). The early signs of a disorder are noted at this point where for autism the child has difficulty in communication, expressing themselves and generally connecting to their environments. The degree of autism varies in that the child may be slow in learning to speak but eventually they learn how to speak (Thrasybule, 2012). Some children may never get to learn how to communicate. The severity of the diagnosis is determined by closely monitoring the way the child responds to treatment and management care. 

The management of autism after diagnosis involves therapy alongside medication. Once the severity of autism is determined, the proper medication plan is designed fit the needs of the child. The primary caregiver is especially important in managing an autistic child (How is Autism Treated?, 2016). For a young child up to the age of five, the mother is the one most consulted when handling the medication of the child. The reason for this is that the mother gets to spend more time with the child. Management of autism is managing the symptoms since the disorder is lifelong (How is Autism Treated?, 2016). The management of autism in children between the ages when they are toddlers and preschool is the most crucial. This involves structuring of the activities that they engage in for at least twenty hours each week (How is Autism Treated?, 2016). The therapy is carried out with several objectives in play. The therapists ensure that given the diagnosis of a child, by a given time, a certain mile stone is achieved. This can be seen in the children being trained to speak and after six months they are supposed to have picked a few words (How is Autism Treated?, 2016). In bringing a preschool child up to speed with the world before they join school, their future is shaped. As such, this is the most important period of an autistic’s child growth.

After care given to an autism patient involves, counseling the parents of the child in order to have them know what they are dealing with (Caring for someone with autism, 2014). The parents are prepared to handle the delicate conditions of the child as they grow. Some children with the right care can grow and the diagnosis symptoms of autism is lost along the way while for some children, they develop attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (Caring for someone with autism, 2014). After care given to this children is supposed to be very intense so that by the time they join school, they are ready to interact with the world (Caring for someone with autism, 2014). After care is supposed to be structured in a way that the child keeps on learning how to interact with their environment. 

Autism is a disorder that develops at birth. When well managed in toddlers and preschool children the diagnosis symptoms disappear as they grow. Most of the children who grow into autistic adults are as such due to lack of proper care and early diagnosis in most cases. The epidemiology of autism is the prevalence of autism (Eric Fombone, 2012). Autism is more difficult to handle because of the hidden symptoms. It is easier to handle a disorder that is visible compared to one which cannot be seen such as autism. The way autism manifests itself changes form one child to another making it difficult to point out its causes. The society is now more aware of autism, and maybe the the reason why more cases are being reported. 

References

Caring for someone with autism. (2014, June 07). Retrieved from NHS Choices: www.nhs.uk/Livewll/Autsim/Pages/Helpparentscarers.aspx

Eric Fombone, M. (2012, July). Epidemiology of Autism. Retrieved from The Montreal Children’s Hospital, Canada: www.child-encyclopedia.com/autism/according-experts/epidmiology-autism

How is Autism Treated? (2016). Retrieved from Autism Speaks Inc: www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment

Thrasybule, K. (2012, January 23). Why Autism Diagnosis Can Change as Children Grow Up. Retrieved from LIVE SICENCE: www.livescience.com/18058-autism-diagnosis-chyange-children-grow.html