Can Your Child’s Behavioral Issues Turn Worse With Time?

Being a spectrum disorder, autism can show different symptoms in everyone. However, something that may stay common is the series of concerns and endless questions that come along. One of these is the question of whether your child’s behavioral issues can turn worse with time and affect them adversely. 

Autism can affect one at an early age. Though it is not meant to worsen, one might show different symptoms with time. This can depend on their coping skills, social and academic challenges, and the support received. Yet, there is no fixed pattern of how the symptoms might change with time. 

At BehaviorSpan, we have focused on delivering top-notch care with our ABA therapy services in Denver, Colorado. However, right now, we are here to help you understand if your child’s symptoms can worsen and how you can cope with that. 

Can Your Child’s Issues Worsen as Time Passes?

First of all, it is crucial to understand that autism is not a disease that can worsen. It is, in fact, a developmental condition that can stay throughout life. Yet, several research studies are being conducted to understand the progression of symptoms. A study shows that the changes in the symptoms can differ in individuals. Some individuals may find their symptoms worsen with time, while others do not. Out of many, one possible reason could be certain medical conditions present or an intellectual disability existing. 

Similarly, we came across another research paper that demonstrates that autism does not worsen with time. Autism involves changes in neural atypically, which means your child's brain works differently. That also means they are going to behave differently. For example, they can get overwhelmed with noise and express that with a meltdown. In times like these, it is always better to understand the sensory overload and provide them with a supportive environment and ideal coping skills. As a result, the child can learn to react ideally in a situation instead of being overwhelmed and anxious, and see an increase in their behavior.

While it is true that autism does not worsen with age, its symptoms may change with time. In some children, symptoms may manifest as early as when they are one. However, for others, there might be no sign till they are 2 or 3 or even a teen. Similarly, some children may have accomplished their milestones but may lose skills they had learned earlier. If your child does not get diagnosed or treated, they might show severe or bad symptoms over time. Besides, studies also show that autistic individuals are likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression compared to people not on the spectrum. These issues can affect one's quality of life and worsen their initial symptoms.

Better coping mechanisms, on the other hand, can lower stress and increase learning opportunities. With that being said, it is safe to say that autism does not worsen over time as long as you provide your child with the right support.

How Can You Help Your Child’s Overall Development?

By now, we know that autism does not get worse, and your child’s development can depend on the support. This brings us to a crucial area of discussion focusing on your child’s overall development. In this section, we will focus on different areas where you can help your little ones:

• Communication: Autism can bring communication challenges because of differences in language processing and social interaction. However, you can help them out here.  Use simple and clear language, gestures, symbols, or eye contact. Be patient with your child. 

• Positive Behavior: Also called positive reinforcement, rewarding positive behavior in your child can encourage them to perform that behavior. This can foster learning and support their self-esteem while contributing to a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. 

• Safety and Structure: Safety and structure are essential for a child with autism. This can reduce anxiety, enhance learning, and improve behavior. You must create an anticipated, arranged, and secure environment in your home. 

• Understanding: It is crucial to understand your child. This helps them with appropriate support, builds a supportive environment, and meets their needs. Be more empathic, be clear with communication, and understand their perspectives. 

• Professional Support: Finding the right professional support for your child can go a long way in their well-being and development.  Early interventions with the right therapies, like Applied Behavior Analysis, can invite significant improvements in their overall skills and adaptive behaviors. 

Understanding The Professional Support For Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder encompasses a wide range of symptoms, which means symptoms can usually require a multi-disciplinary approach. At BehaviorSpan, we have always kept this in mind, which is why we work collaboratively with different professionals involved in a child’s overall progress. From speech therapists to pediatricians, we team up with everyone. However, before we discuss this, let us take this part of the blog to understand how our early intervention with ABA can help your child thrive. 

Early Intervention with ABA Therapy

Early intervention with Applied Behavior Analysis programs can bring promising benefits to individuals with autism. From improvement in communication and social skills to lowering challenging behaviors, there are massive benefits. However, something that can make you consider ABA as your next step, particularly if your child has been diagnosed with autism in the early years of their life, is their brain’s neuroplasticity. This means your child’s brain is more likely to mold new concepts and aspects than it would after a certain age.  Early intervention can help correct negative patterns, promote positive behaviors, and prepare them for strong and better learning in the future. 

Benefits of Applied Behavior Analysis Programs

In addition to what you have just learned, Applied Behavior Analysis programs can provide intensive training for improved outcomes. These offer personalized learning experiences, as every child’s learning goals can differ.

Many ABA therapy centers, like ours, provide individualized care. This helps build a unique plan for every child based on their strengths, abilities, and personalized approach. Besides, a dedicated learning space can help your child leverage evidence-based techniques, advanced evaluations, and more for dedicated learning. 

Final Thoughts

It is time we call this post a wrap! However, before that, let us give you a quick tour of everything we covered here. This blog was your answer to a common concern of whether your child’s autism can worsen with time. By now, it is safe to conclude that autism is not an illness that worsens. It is a lifelong condition affecting different areas of one’s life. However, with timely diagnosis and support, your child can learn coping mechanisms for several challenges in their life. 

At BehaviorSpan, we offer more than ABA therapy in Denver. With our early intervention programs, we aim to walk hand-in-hand with a child throughout their development journey. Our center-based learning is focused on using evidence-based techniques and personalized support to bring the best possible outcome. 

We learn every child’s strengths and areas of improvement and provide the ideal care plan accordingly. We aim to contribute to their long-term development, strengthening their skills and aiding them in their long-term life goals. 

If you want to learn more about this or connect with us, find us at a distance of just one click.

References:

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7810617/ 
  

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5182138/ 
  

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2755414#:~:text=Conclusions%20and%20Relevance%20The%20findings,needs%20of%20individuals%20with%20ASD.