If you are concerned about your child’s communication or suspect your child may be on the spectrum do not wait or hesitate. Seek the help of a health professional who will refer you to the appropriate place for an assessment. You may be asked to check your child’s hearing and you may do other blood tests or imaging studies depending on associated findings. Education.

Depending on the severity and level of ASD, some children will do well in mainstream school with special education supports. (inclusion) Others, will do better in special schools. Others may start from early intervention centers / special schools and move to mainstream when they have gained enough communication and self-help skills. Every child with Autism is different and there is no one size fits all when it comes to program planning. It is therefore important to have people who can help make such decisions and evaluate decisions periodically.

Autism is real and a biological condition. It is not spiritual. There is treatment, and early diagnosis makes a lot of difference. Treatment needs consistency and may take a life time but when given the right supports individuals with Autism can thrive and use their unique abilities to do amazing things. We as a society need to learn acceptance of individuals with different abilities and stop stigmatizing individuals and families affected by Autism. ‘Let’s wait and see’ ‘s/he will grow out of it’ is never a good idea. If indeed your child has Autism or some form of communication delays, early intervention is best not waiting and seeing.