Understanding Parents' Feelings That "Something is Wrong"
Video Summary
Dr. Chris Smith emphasizes the importance taking parents' concerns about their child's development seriously, as parents' initial "gut reactions" or sense that "something is not right" may be crucial, early indications that their child is lacking key communication and social skills indicative of an autism spectrum disorder.
"If the parent can explain why they feel disconnected from their child and the pediatrician knows how to interpret those behavioral descriptions from the parent they are almost sure to detect autism earlier and begin early intervention which would be the most effective way to deal with autism."
— Christopher Smith, PhD
Keywords
- Family Life
- search for diagnosis
- relationships
- raising children with autism
- parenting
- coping
- Nonverbal Behaviors Used in Social Interaction
- lack of eye contact
- Social Interaction
- lack of engagement
- Social Interaction
- not easily comforted
- lack of relatedness