According to Autism Speaks, autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication.
A netizen by the name of Effa or (@efaperfume on Twitter) recently shared on the platform about her son being diagnosed as ‘Borderline Autistic’. In the thread, she mentioned that her son was able to read at the tender age of two. At first, they thought nothing much of it, but it turns out that it was a sign of being on the spectrum.
He was able to read simple words and some complex words which include ‘naughty’, ‘reptile’, ‘Oxford’, etc. when he was two. He has an affinity for letters and he is turning four this year but he already has the ability to type on the keyboard.
Other symptoms include not maintaining eye contact and having poor motor skills. Other than that, he also likes to jump, flap his arms around and tiptoe. Effa’s son does not understand social barriers as well. For example, he likes to talk but he doesn’t know how to stop, which might make people uncomfortable. It actually took a couple of misdiagnoses before experts were able to pinpoint the little boy’s condition.
As autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, there are levels to it ranging from mild to severe. Effa’s son is on the mild side and he was diagnosed as highly functioning.
Be it as it may, Effa and her husband truly adore their child and they will be sending him to therapy sessions.
Therapy sessions, intervention programmes, etc. are needed for these children so that they will be able to have a better quality of life and integrate into society successfully.
If you would like to know more about autism, you can read about it here and here. Currently, there are a few associations and centres that Malaysians can turn to when seeking intervention and/or transition programmes. They are:
- Early Autism Project (Contact number: +603 2094 0421) (Website)
- Autism Link Malaysia (Contact number: +603 7957 0795) (Website)
- The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) (Contact number: +603 7832 1928) (Website)
- Oasis Place (Contact number: + 603 2276 9111) (Website)
Many children with autism can grow up and become functioning members of society.
This article was published with consent from the original source.
Also read: This 13yo Autistic M’sian Creates Beautiful Renditions of Famous Logos & Netizens Are Amazed!
