Topic - Autism and Related Disorders. Learning disabilities are common in youngest kids with autism, while anxiety, speech problems, and seizures are seen more often in elementary and middle schoolers.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is frequently diagnosed in all ages of those with autism.
Failure to treat these related disorders complicates a child’s recovery from the autistic symptoms.
I’ve sat in many school meetings where the child’s learning disabilities are minimized as simply a “side effect” of autism and didn’t warrant special education interventions.
Children with strong language mastery have a more positive prognosis for recovery than do those with low language skills, so intensive and immediate intervention is critical.
I’ve also seen a significant number of kids with diagnoses of autism that actually had language impairments and ADHD.
Competent assessment and diagnosis along with early and appropriate interventions will improve your child’s global success.
