This section explains how both simple and more acute medical conditions can have a negative influence on the behaviour of a person. It gives a simple explanation of how to identify signs of illness.
Sometimes behaviour seems to occur randomly. This can mean that there is more going on than meets the eye. Internal factors such as illness or pain should be considered. As the trigger (pain) for the behaviour (screaming) occurs irregularly it may be difficult to predict the behaviour and change the environment accordingly.
It is important to consider bio-medical reasons when analysing a sudden change in behaviour
Everyday health conditions such:
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Fever
- Sinus issues
- Ear infections
- Dental issues
- Constipation
can contribute to or cause the behaviour to occur
More acute conditions may also need to be considered.
These include conditions such as:
- Reflux
- Celiac
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Auditory issues
- Developmental delays
Many children with ASD are hypersensitive and react overwhelming to even the lightest touch and smallest discomfort. Others are hyposensitive and very often do not react or show any symptoms when there is a major problem.
Knowing a child well is the key to understanding what the child is feeling. Identifying subtle behavioural changes and examining the reasons for them will help to understand what is going on.
Visible signs of Illness
Some signs may be easier to spot than others:
The child may be irritable, crying or moaning, lethargic, pulling at ears, banging his head, pale, have glazed eyes, have a temperature or breathing rapidly.
When signs are less obvious, observing the child in different settings can help identify if the child is in pain or ill:
Activity: Is the child behaving and playing the way they usually do at this time of day?
Response: Is the child’s reaction to pleasant and unpleasant stimulation the same as it normally is?
Food: Is the child eating and drinking as usual?
