Experts have discovered that certain children initially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their early years may see their symptoms diminish as they get older.
But can autistic child become normal and live an independent life?
To get the answer to this question, you need to understand that autism can be difficult to treat without help from medical professionals, friends, and relatives.
But, with proper treatment, severe autism can also be treated to a great extent.
There are therapies available to help your child participate in normal social and professional activities. Continuous planning, testing, and assisting children to adapt to the environment they are in can help them to a large extent to lead a normal life.
Let’s understand how your child can live an independent and complete life overcoming autism.
Can an Autistic child live a normal life?
If a child is detected with autism that doesn’t mean they not will be able to live a normal life in the future. Helping them learn new things, making them efficient enough to get employed, and teaching them how to live independently can ensure that they live a normal life.
The following steps are for continuously checking the progress of your child and to help them lead a normal life:
1. Understanding Autism and Its Diversity
Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it is different in each child. To support them effectively, you must grasp how their condition varies. Start by:
- Seeking Professional Diagnosis
If you suspect your child may have autism, consult a healthcare professional who specializes in autism for a formal diagnosis. This is the first step in understanding your child’s unique needs.
- Learning About Autism
Educate yourself about autism to gain insights into the challenges your child may face. Knowledge empowers you to provide the best possible support.
2. Early Intervention and Therapies
Early intervention is crucial in an autistic child’s development. Once diagnosed, consider the following:
- Therapies:
Explore various therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy. These therapies can help your child develop essential skills and overcome challenges.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP):
Work with your child’s school to create an IEP tailored to their needs. This plan ensures that your child receives appropriate accommodations and support in the classroom.
- Consistent Routine
Autistic children often thrive in structured environments. Establish a consistent daily routine to provide stability and reduce anxiety.
3. Communication testing:
Your child may be undergoing ongoing speech therapy to enhance both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Additionally, they might be receiving guidance and support from a physical therapist to improve their handwriting legibility. It is essential to periodically assess their progress through communication tests to ensure that these interventions are effectively enhancing their abilities.
To assess the progress of an autistic child’s communication skills, you can use various methods:
- Observation: Observe their interactions and note improvements in eye contact, gestures, and vocalizations.
- Structured Assessments: Use standardized communication assessments designed for autistic children to evaluate their language and social communication abilities.
- Consult Professionals: Seek input from speech therapists or psychologists who can perform in-depth evaluations and provide valuable insights.
Regularly monitoring and adjusting the child’s communication plan based on these assessments is crucial for their progress.
4. Testing to know the interests of your child:
Individuals with autism, including adults, often possess highly focused interests in diverse subjects. It’s essential to comprehend your child’s particular interests and encourage skill development in alignment with those interests. In pursuit of this goal, you can offer your child vocational training.
5. Community and Social skill-based training:
Children with autism often face challenges in forming friendships and communicating with people around them, leading to a preference for isolation. This isolation can contribute to depression and potential mental health issues. Encouraging regular interactions with friends and family, even once a week, can help them gradually become more comfortable with socializing.
One effective approach is to have relatives and friends introduce themselves with a smile, prompting the child to reciprocate by sharing their name. This simple gesture can facilitate better communication and connection.
In addition to social support, community-based training, and stem cell therapy offer promising options for treating autism.
Stem cell therapy, in particular, has demonstrated positive outcomes in enhancing cognitive, learning, and behavioral abilities in individuals with autism. These cells’ capacity to transform into nerve, brain, and muscle cells makes them a valuable resource for autism treatment, with success rates of up to 85%. Stem cell therapy presents a hopeful alternative to traditional autism treatments.
6. Helping them learn to live independently
Occupational therapists play a vital role in supporting autistic children to develop essential life skills. They guide and assist in daily activities such as bathing, cleaning, eating, dressing, walking, and sleeping. Encouraging these habits helps the child work towards independence in the future.
7. Helping the autistic adults with employment:
Nowadays governments and corporates have come up with special programs to employ people with certain physical and mental disabilities.
In the workplace, an adult with autism requires help and proper support to overcome social anxiety, difficulty in collaboration, difficulty in coping with criticism, and difficulty in communicating. To assist autistic individuals in gaining employment, consider the following steps:
- Identify Strengths and Interests
Recognize the individual’s unique strengths and interests. Tailor job opportunities to align with their abilities, preferences, and passions.
- Skills Development
Offer vocational training and skill-building programs to enhance their employability. Focus on communication, social interaction, and task-specific skills.
- Supportive Work Environment
Create an inclusive and supportive workplace that accommodates the needs of autistic employees. Sensory-friendly spaces, clear communication, and understanding colleagues can foster success.
- Employment Programs
Collaborate with organizations and government programs that specialize in hiring and supporting autistic individuals. They can provide valuable resources and guidance for both job seekers and employers.
- Mentoring and Coaching
Implement mentoring or coaching programs to provide ongoing support and guidance for autistic employees as they adapt to their roles and the workplace.
8. Housing Options for Adults with Autism
When considering housing options for your adult child with autism, it’s essential to plan thoughtfully. Today, there are specialized accommodations designed for individuals with autism, where they can connect with peers who understand their unique challenges and support each other in leading fulfilling lives.
When searching for suitable care homes, it’s important to prioritize the following factors:
- Availability of healthcare services.
- Access to behavioral and mental health support.
- Integration of communication support.
- Opportunities for social engagement.
- Assistance in career development.
How can individuals with autism develop a range of skills?
Here’s how individuals with autism can develop skills:
Initial Treatment
Through appropriate autism therapies and interventions, individuals can acquire essential life skills, including dressing, eating, and toilet use.
Functional Skills
They can further develop functional skills like shopping, using public transportation, and scheduling appointments for both official and social purposes.
Recreational Abilities
Individuals with autism, whether children or adults, can also cultivate recreational skills such as visiting the library to explore specific interests or participating in group sports activities.
Workplace Competence
In a work setting, they can build job-related skills, including time management and effective interaction with colleagues, especially with support and guidance.
Technological Proficiency
Lastly, they can become adept at using technology, such as computers and smartphones, handling credit and debit cards for transactions, and leveraging technology to live a normal life.
Conclusion
Children with autism can successfully transition into adulthood, with various therapies playing a pivotal role in reshaping their behavioral patterns and aiding their integration into society.
In this regard, one of the most noteworthy therapies is stem cell therapy, applicable to both children and adults with autism. While early intervention is crucial, stem cell therapy can yield positive results even in later stages.
This therapy is instrumental in fostering the development of neuronal cells and the creation of new neural circuits in the brain. This process results in the gradual mitigation of hyperactivity symptoms, leading to improvements in both verbal and non-verbal communication abilities.
As a result, the child can progress towards becoming a well-adjusted adult, capable of active participation in both professional and social spheres.
Another medical treatment option that can be combined with stem cell therapy for faster recovery from autism includes Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
FAQ :
Q1. Can mild autism go away?
Mild autism can go away with proper treatment like occupational therapy, speech therapy, and stem cell therapy
Q2. Will my autistic child ever talk?
Your child can talk with the help of speech therapy and stem cell therapy.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10706722/
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/treatments/speech-language
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8855-autism
