Features of the psychological development of children with autism spectrum disorder

Автор: Соловьева Екатерина Юрьевна

Организация: НИУ «БелГУ»

Населенный пункт: Белгородская область, г. Белгород

Unfortunately, the number of children with autism spectrum disorders increases every year around the world. Doctors identify many different reasons: ecology, suspicion of the influence of early vaccination, the harmful effects of the notorious GMOs and even the older age of future dads. And what exactly is an autistic spectrum disorder and what have we managed to find out about it?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder of the nervous system that is characterized by a deficit in social interactions and communication with the presence of stereotypes (repetitive actions).

In Russia, the prevalence of this disease is one case per 100 children, but a much smaller number of people receive an official diagnosis. ASD is diagnosed in all racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups, and is five times more common in boys than in girls.

Autism spectrum disorder is most pronounced in 3-5 years. The most characteristic manifestations of doctors include: lack of fixation of the gaze, especially on the face, details of the other person's face, unwillingness to direct eye contact "eye to eye"; the first smile, although it appears on time, is not addressed to someone specifically, is not provoked by laughter, joy, or other affective reactions of other people. An autistic child treats others indifferently.

Most often, ASD is characterized by problems in the social, communicative and intellectual abilities of patients. Depending on age and intelligence, children with autism have a different degree of communication deficit. These deficits manifest themselves in speech delays, monotonous speech, echolalia (uncontrolled automatic repetition of words heard in someone else's speech), and also range from poor understanding to complete absence of oral speech.

Nonverbal communication is also disrupted and, as we have already said, may include difficulties in establishing eye contact, difficulties in understanding facial expressions and gestures. Another important feature of people with ASD is the lack of social and emotional reciprocity.

Simply put, children with autism spectrum disorder are not interested in communicating with people, do not understand them well, like to adhere to various rituals, are prone to repetitive body movements, may have language problems and delays in intellectual development. Various symptoms lead to a significant deterioration in many areas of adaptive functioning. At the same time, children with ASD often have many strengths: perseverance, attention to detail, good visual and mechanical memory, a tendency to monotonous work, which can be useful in some professions.

The causes of autism spectrum disorder are currently unknown for sure. It can occur as a result of genetic predisposition, environmental or unknown factors, that is, the race is not etiologically homogeneous. There are probably many subtypes of RACES, each of which has a different origin.

Only a doctor has the right to examine a child with developmental delays in order to find the cause of developmental delay. If a child shows any symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder, then he must be referred to specialists (a child psychiatrist, a child psychologist, a child speech therapist, a pediatric neurologist) for consultation.

For correct diagnosis, it is necessary to collect the entire history of the child – the patient's history, physical examination, neurological examination and a direct assessment of the child's social, linguistic and cognitive development. Also, it is necessary to provide sufficient time for standardized interviews of parents regarding current problems and the history of behavior, as well as structured observation of social and communicative behavior, play.

Treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder includes psychotherapy and medication. Statistics show that most people with autism have many different symptoms. Such as sleep disorders, seizures, LCD problems and others.

Treating these symptoms can improve patients' attention, learning, and related behaviors. Some medications used for other conditions help with certain symptoms: antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants, anticonvulsants. Among non-drug treatment, applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, sensory integration therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy are currently used.

Children with autism spectrum disorders may also have strengths. Their unique views on the world give other people the opportunity to see the world from the other side, children with ASD can grow into talented and successful people who will make wonderful discoveries to improve our world. New research in the field of diagnosis and treatment of children with ASD gives these unusual children hope for more successful social adaptation and even recovery.

At the same time, attending kindergarten and school in children with autism spectrum disorder causes difficulties. Since it is difficult for them to adapt to a new environment, therefore special conditions are created for them.
In preschool educational institutions, individual programs are developed for each student, the main purpose of which is to integrate children of races into society so that they have equal rights with other children. Kids who attended preschool then adapt much more easily to new conditions and find contact with others.

When building correctional work with such children, it is necessary to use an integrated approach - this is pedagogical, psychological and medical assistance to autistic people. For the successful implementation of the program, it is necessary to establish emotional contact with the baby. A comfortable environment of stay is created for the child, excluding ways of interacting with the world that are inaccessible to him.

Also, preschool employees organize socially correct ways of interacting with children. The subject-developing environment of a kindergarten should take into account the peculiarities of the development of a young autistic person, his interests and compensate for his existing disorders. It is desirable that there be a sensory room in the institution, because it allows you to relax the nervous system, affects the sensory organs, the child has a sense of security and calmness.

After graduating from kindergarten, one of the most important and difficult questions that arises before the parents of a special child is his further education. As such, there are no specialized school institutions for children with autism, everything will depend on what the PMPC decides: if a child has intellectual disabilities, they can recommend studying at a school of the 8th type. If there are severe speech disorders, then speech schools. But often such children are allowed to study in an ordinary mass school, where resource classes are allocated, in which children with health problems are under strict control, since they are supervised by a tutor and school specialists. In addition, an individual educational route is compiled for children with autism spectrum disorder, an adapted educational program (AOP) is written, in which the content of correctional classes is revealed.

The teaching staff must have a speech therapist, a speech pathologist and a psychologist, because the main approach in correctional work is complex.

Adapted programs for children with ASD imply:
• gradual inclusion of children in the learning process;
• creation of special conditions;
• providing psychological and pedagogical support to the family;
• formation of social and cultural values;
• protection of the physical and mental health of the child;
• ensuring the variability of educational programs and the content of classes;
• maximum integration of pupils with ASD into society.

The development of such a program greatly facilitates the learning process of a child with ASD, because when it is compiled, the peculiarities of the development of such children are taken into account, an individual training program is created. Autistic pupils cannot be required to assimilate the material as quickly as others, the psychological situation plays a big role, because it is very important for them to feel comfortable in new conditions. AOP allows autistic children to gain the necessary knowledge and integrate into society.

Correctional work with children with ASD involves the joint work of a speech therapist, a speech pathologist, a psychologist, a tutor (at school on the recommendation of a doctor), educators and teachers, as well as active interaction with parents. Of course, it is impossible to leave such children alone in a new place for the whole day - it is necessary to gradually increase their time in the institution and reduce the time of their parents' presence.

It is best if the teacher starts the lesson or finishes it with a certain ritual, it is necessary to exclude all bright objects that can cause a negative reaction of the child. Teachers should wear clothes of calm tones, it is desirable to exclude the use of perfumes. The child should have a permanent personal workplace, all things should always be in their places. Participants in the educational process must follow a certain routine. The slightest delay from the schedule or a change in the situation can cause stress in autistic children.

Such trifles are very important for the successful correction of the defect, because they create a positive emotional background for the child. In the classroom, it is very important to create a situation of success, constant encouragement, stimulation, because the assimilation of knowledge in them is closely interrelated with personal interest. The child needs to be helped in case of difficulties, during classes it is necessary to use various visualizations.

Working together as a couple has a good effect on children with autism. This is done not at the initial stage of learning, but when the child has already settled into a new environment. This type of work makes it possible to introduce a child into society more effectively. The psychologist corrects the negative attitudes of the child, works with the affective side of the defect, helps the baby and his parents adapt. The speech therapist is engaged in overcoming mutism, logophobia, creates motivation for communication and corrects speech deficiencies. The defectologist is engaged in the correction of the emotional-volitional sphere and the development of higher mental functions.

If a child is diagnosed with autism, this does not mean that he cannot attend an educational institution. With the right approach, an individually selected program, the kid will be able to get all the knowledge, just like other children.