A preschooler in the autism spectrum

Poremećaj iz spektra autizma pripada pervazivnim razvojnim poremećajima koji se javljaju u ranom djetinjstvu (do treće godine života) i uglavnom traju cijeli život. Obuhvaća gotovo sve psihičke funkcije osobe, a izražajno je zaostajanje u socijalnom razvoju. Osobe s autizmom često se doživljava kao osobe koje su „isključene“ ili u „svom svijetu“, često izbjegavaju fizički kontakt i kontakt očima te negativno reagiraju na promjenu okoline ili rutine. Odgajatelj u radu s autističnom djecom treba posjedovati kompetencije i sva potrebna znanja koja su mu nužna za rad. Savjetuje se sa stručnim suradnicima, ali i roditeljima djeteta kako bi uvijek bio aktivno uključen u trenutno stanje djeteta. Stručnjaci trebaju biti dovoljno educirani i pružati podršku i odgajatelju i roditeljima (kojima je najteže u cjelokupnoj situaciji). Roditelji trebaju znati da nisu sami i da će uvijek netko biti tu za njih. Na temelju uvida u znanstveno-stručnu literaturu teorijski dio rada donosi pregled definicija autizma, učestalost pojave, obilježja ponašanja djece iz spektra autizma te povijest autizma. Također se govori o dijagnostici gdje su navedene i moguće etiologije, tj. uzroci autizma te su opisani brojni tretmani pomoću kojih se može smanjiti jačina poremećaja. Rad ima za cilj pobliže elaborirati temu, ukazati na prevalenciju poremećaja te navesti neke specifičnosti i karakteristike u radu s djecom iz spektra autizma.The autism spectrum disorder belongs to the pervasive developmental disorders that occur in early childhood (up to the third year of life) and generally last a lifetime. It covers almost all mental functions of a person, and there is a significant lag in social development. People with autism are often perceived as people who are "excluded" or "in their world", often avoid physical contact and eye contact, and react negatively to a change in environment or routine. An educator working with autistic children should possess the competencies and all the necessary knowledge necessary for him to work. He consults with professional associates, but also with the child's parents in order to always be actively involved in the child's current condition. Professionals should be sufficiently educated and provide support to both the educator and the parents (who find it most difficult in the overall situation). Parents need to know that they are not alone and that there will always be someone there for them. Based on the insight into the scientific and professional literature, the theoretical part of the paper provides an overview of the definitions of autism, the frequency of occurrence, behavioral characteristics of children from the autism spectrum and the history of autism. It also talks about diagnostics where the possible etiologies, ie the causes of autism are listed, and a number of treatments are described that can be used to reduce the severity of the disorder. The paper aims to elaborate on the topic, point out the prevalence of the disorder and list some specifics and characteristics in working with children from the autism spectrum