27 Jul The importance of Early Autism Diagnosis

The longer you take to help a child with a speech delay or a development delay the harder it becomes to help the child achieve desired milestones.

Research shows that children can be diagnosed as early as 2 years of age and that many of the behavioural symptoms of autism are present from as young as 12 months.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a lifelong condition that appears in late infancy or early childhood and it is characterized by Communication, Social and Emotional Development Delays and Restrictive or Repetitive Behaviours.

A speech delay at the age of 2 years, a delay in social interaction – even a lack of age-appropriate sound development should all be addressed as early as possible. 

The early diagnosis of autism means that appropriate intervention can be implemented.  Play therapy or learning through appropriate play and games can do wonders for your young child.  Behavioural teaching techniques and specialized intervention helps boost language, social and cognitive skills development. 

Therapies available can include – Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy (SI), Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or ABA Therapy. There are a few autism pre-schools (Autism ECD centres) in Johannesburg that offer an eclectic teaching approach because they understand that Autism is a Spectrum disorder and that one approach will not work for all the children.  They also understand that the earlier intensive and proper intervention starts the better the long term prognosis.

There are a few evidence-based Autism interventions available in South Africa which can significantly help improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD.  Whilst therapies vary widely, the most effective forms aim to actively engage ASD children, teaching them skills that come naturally to most of us.

Amazing K is a registered ECD and Partial Care Facility in Johannesburg. We are a private autism school and therapy centre for children from age 2 years. Our learners receive the best of both the schooling and therapy world. We offer Individualized Education Programs involved, ABA, Speech- and Augmentive Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy as well as a full and adapted Academic Curriculum. Read more about this Johannesburg Autism school here.