Autism - the child, the parent, and how to cope! Part I

Jovan stands at the window. Through the pane, it’s a beautiful day. A hot summer day, above a

clear blue sky, sprinkled with white clouds. He stares at the children running by his house. One

of the kids is on a bicycle, chased by three others with water guns, he trying to spray him.

Their laughter is wild and free. So free. Jovan stares his expression blank. His right hand is

balled into a fist, he is hitting the side of his right thigh in a rhythm akin to beating a drum.

From the kitchen his mother watches him, arms folded. Her name is Monica. She sighs,

chewing on her lower lip, her mind running through scenarios as she watched her son. Jovan

has been standing there for the past fifteen minutes, staring through the window, hitting his

leg. Jovan is eight years old. He is autistic.

Autism, called the autism spectrum disorder or the autism spectrum condition is a

neurodevelopmental disorder. Autism is typified by some characteristic markers such as

shortfalls in social communication/and or interaction. Children with autism may struggle with

social and non-verbal cues, not making eye contact during communication. Deviation from an

established activity or setting may evoke a temper tantrum in some autistic children as they

don’t deal well with change. Another identifier is behavior patterns that are repetitive or

limited. For those with autism, certain sensory inputs (e.g. Bright lights, loud sounds, or specific

smells) may produce bouts of hyperactivity or hyperreactivity. In autistic children, there may be

a delay in the development of motor skills and speech. Some may not speak while others will.

There are cases of high-functioning autism, where traits of the disorder are subsumed into

more normative behaviors. While there are broad mannerisms associated with the disorder,

no two children will manifest the same traits on the spectrum.