Autism is a developmental disorder in which problems are experienced in communication and social skills. Autism symptoms usually begin before the age of 3. The frequency of autism is increasing day by day and is seen in approximately 1 in 65 children.

If our children do not make eye contact in social communication, do not respond when their name is called, and have speech delays, this causes suspicion of autism.

In autistic children, not speaking at all or regression in language development that was normal in the first years of life may be observed. Autistic children are indifferent to people around them and avoid communicating. The presence of repetitive movements such as rocking for no reason, repetitive hand movements, and spinning around themselves attracts attention. Additionally, movements such as aimlessly continuously rotating toy car wheels, turning lights on and off, and walking on tiptoes may be observed.

The exact cause of autism is currently unknown. Although vaccines and heavy metal poisoning have been blamed from time to time, there is no scientific basis.

Children diagnosed with autism should be directed to special education programs as soon as possible. It is important that parents are also included in education programs and continuously supported in the social field. There is currently no directly effective medication treatment for autism. However, medical solutions can be produced for accompanying problems such as attention deficit, impulse control disorder, and sleep disorder. In some cases receiving early diagnosis and rehabilitation, symptoms can significantly regress. Alternative solution efforts such as diet therapy and hyperbaric oxygen application have no place in evidence-based medicine.

In children with autism, the frequency of epilepsy (seizure disorder) is much higher than in the normal population and resistance to treatment can be seen in some cases. All children suspected of autism should be evaluated by child neurology specialists and child psychiatry physicians as soon as possible.

The intelligence level of dyslexic children is generally normal, but they have difficulty recognizing letters, vocalizing them, and their reading speed is slow compared to their peers.

-Reverse perception of letter order; sık=sık, tok=kot, en=ne..etc.

-Letter omission; araba=arba, gitti=giti, bolluk=boluk

-Difficulty in transitioning from right to left when moving to the next line while reading a text is frequently seen.

-Letters and numbers with similar sounds or shapes; b-d, o-ö, m-n, k-g, 6-9, 3-8....can be confused.

Children with dyslexic findings can continue their educational lives smoothly and successfully with special education applications. In cases where dyslexia findings are not noticed or diagnosed late, academic failures are frequently seen despite normal intelligence levels.

Dyslexia should be considered as a learning difference rather than a disease. Due to the failures and learning difficulties that our dyslexic children experience in their educational lives, psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorders and depression are seen more frequently.

Our children whose dyslexia findings are noticed by family or teachers should be immediately referred to a specialist and rehabilitation should be started early. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can cause problems in social life and disruptions and failures in educational life.