For the most part, the same as any child. Since autism is a mental disability, not a physical one, their physical needs aren't very different.
However, the parts of the brain responsible for processing sensory information and planning out movement can be affected in autism, making the child have poor coordination and react more or less intensely to sensory stimulation. This can result in issues.
For example, some autistic kids can't feel pain, so they aren't careful to avoid injuries and to avoid worsening an existing injury. I heard of one woman with a high functioning form of autism who broke her arm and wandered around for half a day before she noticed that her arm hurt a little bit. She even tried to join in a tennis game!
Clumsiness can result in increased risk of injury, for obvious reasons. Also, it can lead to a kid avoiding movement (especially since clumsy kids are often bullied) which results in problems such as obesity and poor cardiovascular health. It's important to encourage a clumsy kid to keep trying, and make sure not to tolerate other kids laughing at them for failure. Physical therapy can sometimes reduce clumsiness.
Some autistic kids are picky eaters, due to hypersensitivity to taste, smell and tactile sensations in the mouth. While most picky eaters still get a balanced diet, occasionally severe pickiness will result in a child getting malnutrition, or else starving themselves when their preferred food isn't available. It's important not to turn pickiness into a power struggle - the kid isn't choosing to be picky - but instead figure out healthy foods they are willing to eat.
There's also evidence that some autistic people have trouble feeling the physical sensations of hunger and/or thirst. This is mostly a problem in adulthood, for those high-functioning enough to live independently. Building a routine whereby the child always eats and drinks at certain times, even if they're not hungry, can be a big help.
There is some suggestion that a subset of autistic kids may be prone to Asthma/Allergies, digestive problems and autoimmune problems. There is not much evidence for this yet, but if a child has any of those problems, the treatment is the same regardless of autism.
the condition is autism Autism is a disibilty itself
Yes, You can apply for SSDI for a child with autism. Go online to the IRS web site and start a online child disability report. You can also contact your local CCB for help
there is no real cure for Autism. the only thing that can help stop the process of autism from getting worse is to have the affected child be in Programs that will help him cope with his disability. but the only way that autism can really be cured is if someone is not born with it, but otherwise there is no Known cure of autism
A GP (general practitioner), pediatrician, or psychologist where they can discuss and maybe treat your son's or daughter's condition. DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Doctors from the ARI (Autistic Research Institute) can help treat children with autism.
No, autism cannot kill a child - no more than having neurotypical brain could.
It is unlikely that your child would have autism. There is a genetic component to autism, so it is more likely that you would have a child with autism than a couple with no history of autism in their backgrounds. However, it is still more likely that your child will not have autism than have autism.
Indeed, Toni Braxton and her husband, Keri Lewis, are the parents of a child with autism. Diesel is their youngest son, and he was diagnosed with autism at three years of age. To learn more about Toni's journey, as well as the stories of other celebrities who have faced Autism or who are making a difference to help those individuals living with this developmental disorder, check out the "Celebrities & Autism" category at autismbeacon in the related link.
Autismspeaks.org is a great site to get a lot of information about early signs of autism and what can and should be done to help an autistic child. You should also consult you pediatrician if there are concerns regarding your child's behavior.
most people with autistic children, autism is not fatal
To provide help to those with autism.
Her youngest son has Down's Syndrome, but she has a nephew with autism.
This characteristic is not enough to diagnose autism. Children with autism might babble at 8 months. Children with hearing problems might not babble at 8 months. The child might have autism if he or she has additional signs of autism and other possibilities are eliminated.