"Is there a list of symptoms or traits associated with high functioning autism in children? We currently have suspicions that our 6 y.o. son may be on the autism spectrum and are wondering if we should take the next step and have him assessed." Below is a list of common traits among children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's. However, no child will exhibit all of these traits. Also, the degree (i.e., mild to severe) to which any particular trait is experienced will vary from child to child. Emotions and Sensitivities: An emotional incident can determine the mood for the day. Becomes overwhelmed with too much verbal direction. Calmed by external stimulation (e.g., soothing sound, brushing, rotating object, constant pressure). Desires comfort items (e.g., blankets, teddy, rock, string). Difficulty with loud or sudden sounds. Emotions can pass very suddenly or are drawn out for a long period of time. Inappropriate touching o...
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Oh I know! My 6 yo daughter cannot leave the house with out bringing her favorite things in a bag. I have to tell her at least 10 mins before we leave because she gets nervous and packs all her stuff like shes going on vacation! she does the same thing in the bathroom. She always has to have something with her. And when we asked her not to bring things in she would get very upset and say how "she needs it so bad and cannot live without it" we don't give on always but we tell her it'll be ok and that it will be right here when your done. That usually makes her very anxious but we're working on it ;-)
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I don't see these fixations as entirely a 'need' or a 'burden', but a gift in many ways. You say their usefulness in real life is extremely limited, and I disagree. The reason I am going to become a either a doctor or a physician assistant is because of a book I read called "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat by Oliver Sacks" which prompted a fixation in neurology that persists to this day (I read it about over two years ago). In fact I can think of a couple examples of fixations which have benefited society as a whole: Temple Grandin's fixation with cattle ranches prompted her invention of humane livestock facilities, having designed 1/3 of all livestock handling facilities in the US, as well as her invention of a squeeze machine that serves as a comforting coping mechanism to replace hugs that would otherwise increase an autistic person's anxiety rather than reduce it. Greta Thunberg's concern, and I would argue fixation, with Climate Change, is the reason she's a climate change activist who has worked so hard to fight for reducing carbon emissions. These are two incredibly inspiring people whose fixations have changed society for the better.
My fixations have been harmful in some instances, and I definitely agree that parents need to control them if they get out of hand. For instance, sometimes my interest in neurology has gotten so extreme to the point where I spend hours in a day studying things like cranial nerves, while struggling to not neglect self-care and my social life. Also, while I've passed the phase of video games to the point of having just about zero interest, I used to play Minecraft all day to the point where I was isolated and not having the social interactions that I needed to be fulfilled and not depressed. However, I think it's important to acknowledge the value that these fixations have, for not only the autistic person, but society.
I've had a lot of struggles that stem from my autism, but I'd rather learn to cope with them and reduce them rather than taking a 'cure', which would get rid of not only the bad parts, but the good parts that stem from my autism as well. I consider my fixations not only one of the good parts of my autism, but one of the main reasons I don't want to be cured. Why? Well, not only do I enjoy them, but I've gotten an amazing number of talents and knowledge from them. I play piano and guitar extremely well, I've learned to draw very well, and I've accumulated knowledge about academic disciplines which interest me, such as the medical sciences, history, and a little bit of political science/economics being only just some examples. I'm an activist for political and social change, and I've had a recent burst of energy in regards to the inhumane conditions of the immigration detention centers which I would consider a fixation; a fixation which has prompted me to fight for justice.
You say they should be managed if they become unhealthy or harmful in any way, and believe me I absolutely agree. However I think you fail to acknowledge that they can be incredibly useful for not only autistic people, but society as a whole. Many people on the autism spectrum have something to offer to society that not everyone has, and the fixations are no exception. Sorry my post was a little lengthy, but thanks for reading this far!