| Giftedness has been a much talked about matter since the early '90s. However, there are more to giftedness than meets the eye. Dr. Rizalina Pagorogon, a neuro-developmental pediatrician of Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, defines what giftedness is and differentiates it from autism.
Having similar signs and symptoms, giftedness and autism are always mistaken for each other. So how does one determine which is which? | Early signs of giftedness
"You would have to look at the child's developmental status as he grows based on the task expected on his particular age group," says Pagorogon. It all depends on the task expected on the age group. One should observe closely, if the child is very much advanced in the expected stage of development. "Giftedness is actually a talent super and above the expected task of his age," Pagorogon added.
For example, a two-year-old boy is expected that he cannot write, but he can draw. One who possess extraordinary talent beyond his expected mental status is considered gifted. She further explains, "A gifted child is usually doing something that is super and above his age-which could usually manifest in six areas."
Early signs of autism
Now we go to the other side of the spectrum-autism. People have misconceptions about autism. They often think that once a person or child is diagnosed with autism, he is already automatically helpless. Some people even find the matter laughable. Pagorogon enlightened us with this matter, "In autism, there is also what we classify as high functioning which some people often mistake as gifted."
Children who belong to this type function very well and are very much teachable. "You see, there is a broad spectrum in determining child's development. This scale ranges from moron to genius. In this kind of behavioral disorder, what suffers is their psychosocial-emotional aspect." One manifestation of this, is the autistic child inability to cope with stress. "Although parents will say sometimes, they are very affectionate.especially those who have children who are high-functional-their children can actually have outbursts. This is because autistic children, think that people are just nothing." For those who have severe type of autism, it is an entire different case. "It is because their mind is set that they would just be like that, and there is often nothing you can teach autistic children belonging to this type."
Behavior-wise, you can detect autism when you start to notice that they isolate themselves. "They have no contact with reality, they live on fantasy. When they play alone, even if you call them, they won't communicate," explains Pagorogon. Another thing you would notice is that when they want something, they just get it without saying any word at all-will not even ask permission. "Parents would often complain about those matters when they consult with me," she shares.
On extreme cases, another early sign of autism should be watched out for. Repetitive stereotype repertoire of movements happens when the child practices repetitive hand movements. "Children who have this usually bang their heads with their hands, they keep on spinning and they have an obsession with a particular thing, a toy perhaps." She also warns parents not take away these things because that would truly stress an autistic child. However she would like to clarify that this is a case-to-basis.
How parents cope
Like what was mentioned in the other paragraphs, it's a broad spectrum of autism disorders. No matter how light or severe the child's case are, the only goal should be to make them self-reliant someday. Pagorogon shares with us how parents should cope when they find out that their children possess one of these characteristics:
You have to get their concern.
Oftentimes, parents of autistic children, resort to denial instead of accepting their child's situation. It is the very first step for coping with the situation. "Otherwise, if you don't accept there is a problem, then you cannot do something." After acceptance, parents can line up all that they need to do.
Get them into Special Education or SPED.
"Again, it depends on what level the age of the kid is," explains Pagorogon. Different from sending kids to a regular school, one has to consider the mental age of the kid not the chronological age. In SPED, they give them a task-orientation program. "to get them into routine." Pagorogon said. At the same time, parents should get the child into behavior management that should also be aligned with the mental age of the child.
Give the family support and also the children as well.
The family and the people surrounding the children need support as well. There is no such thing as a hopeless case. Though it is easier said than done, Pagorogon has handled many successful cases of children who had autism who had successfully coped up and is now in normal schools. "I have a lot of patients who are autistic children and they are already in normal schools. Actually I have two to three who are already in the States in normal schools." However, she does admit that they still suffer in the psychosocial emotional aspect. They still cannot cope up with stress and have very limited friends. She further warns that if this cannot be corrected at a young age, the children will have problems in personality.
Treatments
As what was mentioned in the earlier, a child can be enrolled in Special Education Programs depending on what his or her concern is. There are a lot of programs in SPED that targets particular concerns of children. "If the child doesn't know how to speak, there is speech therapy, if the problem is that they do not know how to deal with their fear, you can get them into social-environment stimulation. Then the next is behavior-stimulation, so they would be able to cope up with their daily activities," explains Pagorogon. However, she advises that parents - should bring his or her autistic child to a pediatrician if the matter is really worse and result to medication.
Conclusion
Giftedness and autism are on opposite side of the spectrum. Though the two have similarities and differences in its diagnosis, it is important to note that they be treated as normal children.
"Not because they are gifted you'll give him more attention than other children. Otherwise the other children will also suffer. You just have to put a bit more of understanding especially to autistic children," said Pagorogon. These should not be addressed to the children who are gifted or special, but also to the people surrounding them as well. Even if you have a special or gifted child, you don't have to neglect the other child but instead, make him understand the situation.
Pagorogon understands the difficulty of these task but still encourages the family, teachers and people around the child to do so. "It is easier said than done, but there is always a way to do it." And I couldn't agree more.
http://www.globalpinoy.com/pinoyhealth/ph_feature/FE061008.php
Originally published in Health News magazine
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