Some Possible Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Avoids eye contact
- Is sensitive to sounds
- Is sensitive to light
- Is sensitive to touch
- Has poor Sleep
- Has poor diet
- Has Meltdowns
- Uses Echolalia
- Has speech delay
- Has lack of speech
- Wants to be alone
- Has anger problems
- Has difficulty with potty training
- Has poor muscle tone
- Has difficulty with transitions
- Flaps hands
- Rocks body
- Spins in circles
- Likes to be alone
- Lacks empathy
- Does not do pretend play
- Lines up objects
- Has obsessive interests
The earlier a child is diagnosed, the sooner he/she will be able to get services to help develop a plan.
Who Is Nancy Cotten?
Bill and I have been married for over 50 years and we have 3 children and 3 grandsons who are 21, 14, and 3 years old. We like to travel and the mountains are our favorite places. We also enjoy going on cruises.
My career as a Corporate Child Care Director for a hospital afforded me the opportunity to work with staff and parents as well as children. I also interacted with corporate partners at the hospital, making sure that we were providing a high quality service to attract staff that most other hospitals had not even thought of doing. Hiring, counseling, training, working with a diverse group of people, planning and implementing systems were activities that I dealt with daily.
In the 1990’s I led the Child Care Center through the National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation process. The process was very extensive and required making many changes over several years to the way we managed the center, curriculum, training, discipline and many other aspects of the program. I was honored by being nominated for director of the year in 2006. In 2007 the hospital outsourced our Center to a large multinational company, Bright Horizons. This company helped the Center to rise to an even higher level of competency by providing staff professional development to help them better understand early childhood and the education and activities they needed to provide for the children.
I was very blessed to be part of many family’s lives and privileged to help those families during their children’s early formative years.
Problems for Children and a Possible Solution
Sleep – Many parents find that Melatonin works. Also breathing techniques with meditation and calming music may help.
Diet – Some parents have had good luck with taking child to the store and asking them to pick out one fruit or vegetable that they might like. Let them help prepare it, but do not expect that they will always try it. Remember, they are in control. It may take several times doing this.
Anxiety – Some children do well with hugging very tightly a stuffed animal or pillow. Deep pressure can help. Let them jump on a small trampoline if inside or large one if outside.
Biting – Offer them a chew toy. Also have them put pressure on the area they were biting.
Transitions – Plan ahead. Let them know what is coming. Help them with deep breathing. Give them a favorite toy or lovey to have with them.
Loud noises – Use headphones, but do not use them all the time.
Stemming – Allow person to stem but only if it is not hurting them.
Meltdowns – Let person know that you are there for them and you will keep them safe and that they are loved.
Gut issues – Give person probiotics if they are okayed by their doctor. Also offer smoothies they like that have vitamins and greens in them.
Poor muscle tone – Make sure they have the chance to play outside and run and jump as much as possible.