The video glossary for autism now freely available through the internet has been developed to help parents see early symptoms that may indicate autism or that their child is at risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder, to promote earlier professional evaluations, diagnosis, and effective early intervention services.
Recognizing early signs of autism in very young children can be difficult for parents who may sense that their son or daughter has behaviors or ways of doing things that they have not seen in the child's cousins or the children of friends or neighbors.
Recent press and television coverage about the significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism has brought greater awareness to the public about what to look for and where to go for help when families suspect that an older preschooler or young child may have an autism spectrum disorder.
Early intervention, accommodations and support for very young children has been shown to have a significant benefit for those whose initial symptoms might have been overlooked just a few years ago.
While advocacy organizations and medical professionals have been working together to educate the general population about the early symptoms or signs of autism in young children, it has been difficult for those who have never known a child with autism to know what these symptoms might look like in their baby or toddler. First Steps offers a free web based 'video glossary' showing early signs of autism spectrum disorder. It features actual video clips of children with autism spectrum disorders illustrating behaviors and terms that parents may have heard about but did not understand, in relation to their own children's play, movements or sensitivities.
Some video glossary clips contain side by side comparisons of a child diagnosed with autism with a mainstream peer who demonstrates typical behavior. This resource can be a valuable aid for advocates as well as medical and education professionals who can learn and demonstrate to parents, early intervention professionals, childcare workers, caregivers and others what to look for from the children in their care. Referrals to experts for evaluation at the first symptoms of autism will help more children find early intervention services and support.
Browse at your public library, local bookstore, or online retailer for books like: Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps or The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child, books promoting earlier diagnosis and early intervention planning by First Sign's founder, Nancy Wiseman.
First Signs - Video Glossary
First Signs offers brochures, public service announcements to promote developmental screening that features local organization information, wallet copies of "hallmark developmental milestones and red flags" cards, early identification, referral, and intervention for children with autism, developmental delays and disorders.
Developmental Milestones, Diagnosis and Treatment
Autism Spectrum Disorder And Sensory Integration - A Closer Look
CDC: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs