“Autism can’t define me. I define autism.” – Kerry Magro

Children who suffer from autism and their parents and carers, often face many challenges every day. Their difficulty in performing the basic tasks and their need to constantly have someone monitor them means life is not a cakewalk for them.

But, what exactly is autism? WebMD says Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disability that affects development in children. Autism in children is characterised by difficulties in development of social skills, language, communication and behaviour. Although, the signs of autism begin to show when a child is between 2 and 3 years old, it can even start earlier when the brain is beginning to develop.

So, how do parents detect autism in the case of a child who is as young as three years of age?

According to an article published in livestrong.com, there are many ways to do this. A few of them are:

• If your child is socially detached, does not engage in play and shies away from a hug.
  
• By the age of three, most children form words and short sentences. Autistic children may not speak at all, they will talk and stop suddenly and repeat certain words or sounds.
  
• Autistic children avoid eye contact.
  
• A constant flapping of hands and obsession with one toy.
  

Though, raising a child with autism is a long and arduous journey, parents have many options to turn for help. Autistic children deserve equal, if not more, amount of love and care like other normal children of their age. If you are interested in reading more about Autism In Three Year Olds, please flip through the pages of this ClipBook.