What is the ‘Cat on a Trampoline’ Blog? (+9 Stereotypical Patterns)
In this guide, we will discuss cat on trampoline melon autism and the importance of getting to know more about this story.
Cat on a trampoline melon autism
Art is everywhere, it is a form of expression that we humans have to recreate and capture emotions, feelings and any idea that crosses our mind.
It is a way of throwing away stress, of relaxing and of simply being one.
We have seen how children are creating drawings from an early age.
What we can see as a circle for them is a different world, they create from the psychological tools they possess.
The drawings in psychology have a meaning, they are part of tests used to know the mental maturity and to know the interpretation that someone has of the world.
There are drawings that are considered as a source of inspiration, the simple becomes wonderful and the beginning of something astonishment.
This is the case of Liz, a nurse and mother of two children from the city of Birmingham, England.
Through a drawing that her daughter Melon made before being diagnosed with autism, she expressed what the drawing was clearly, is one of the first times where she expressed herself this way.
This led the mother to save the drawing and eventually created a blog about autism, called cat on a trampoline, where the drawing of her daughter Melon was the central image.
Knowing this story makes you put yourself in Liz’s place and feel compassion and strength if you are also in the position of having a child with autism.
Liz is not only the mother of a child with autism but of two, which entails more work to provide a better quality of life for both.
His blog became a source of inspiration for many parents who try to provide their children with autism the best every day.
Liz is an example that the circumstances of life are not an impediment to get ahead.
That drawing represents more than a girl with autism, it represents the force it takes for someone with the condition to express what they feel.
Seeing the drawing you can interpret many things as a happy child or who likes animals, Liz could see it as an advance and that many things are achieved step by step.
What is autism?
Autism can be defined as a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, and by restrictive and repetitive behaviour.
Autism is part of what is the autistic spectrum, which is a set of mental disorders of neurological development.
When the child manifests the symptoms of autism, it may take some time for the parents to realize that the child may have the condition.
Autism can affect children in different ways, there are cases where it is more difficult to diagnose than in others because, although the symptoms must be present, they are the first phases of the person’s period of development, they may not manifest totally until social demands overcome their limitations.
Today, no exact cause has been found as to why children develop autism, but some research suggests that hereditary factors play a fundamental role for a child to develop autism.
Also, the influence that environmental factors can have during embryogenesis.
Research has also ruled out the influence vaccines may have for a child to develop autism.
Autism has gone through a series of relocations in the DSM. Before being called as an autistic disorder in DSM-5, it constituted according to DSM IV a subcategory of generalized developmental disorders.
Currently, treatments supported by cognitive behavioural therapy have proven to be the most beneficial for improving the quality of life of people who have autism.
Also, the investigations have turned to know the manifestation of the symptoms in the adult life of the people who suffer autism.
It has been investigated where the incidence is higher and claims to be in men, but it has also been shown that women with autism manifest symptoms differently from men.
Autism symptoms
The symptoms of autism are manifested in the way people communicate and interact and also the behaviours they perform.
Mayo Clinic website highlights what are the most common symptoms of this condition.
A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:
- Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times
- Resists cuddling and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world
- Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
- Doesn’t speak or has delayed speech, or loses previous ability to say words or sentences
- Can’t start a conversation or keep one going or only starts one to make requests or label items
- Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
- Repeats words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them
- Doesn’t appear to understand simple questions or directions
- Doesn’t express emotions or feelings and appears unaware of others’ feelings
- Doesn’t point at or bring objects to share an interest
- Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive
- Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people’s facial expressions, body postures or tone of voice
Patterns of behaviour
A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities, including any of these signs:
- Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
- Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging
- Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
- Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language
- Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn’t understand the overall purpose or function of the object
- Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
- Doesn’t engage in imitative or make-believe play
- Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus
- Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods or refusing foods with a certain texture
How autism can be diagnosed in children?
To diagnose a child with autism, a series of assessments must be carried out that will allow the condition to be detected.
Unfortunately, there are no medical tests, such as blood tests, that allow a diagnosis of autism. A process has to be carried out to perform.
The diagnosis of autism should be carried out by a professional with knowledge of the area.
That is someone prepared to make the diagnosis of autism or other developmental disorders.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can perform this evaluation as well as people in the area of education who have specialities in the diagnosis of developmental disorders.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains the two steps to perform for the diagnosis of autism.
Developmental Screening
Developmental screening is a short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays.
During the developmental screening, the doctor might ask the parent some questions or talk and play with the child during an exam to see how she learns, speaks, behaves, and moves.
A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a problem.
All children should be screened for developmental delays and disabilities during regular well-child doctor visits at:
- 9 months
- 8 months
- 24 or 30 months
- Additional screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for developmental problems due to preterm birth, low birth weight or other reasons.
In addition, all children should be screened specifically for ASD during regular well-child doctor visits at:
- 18 months
- 24 months
- Additional screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for ASD (e.g., having a sister, brother or another family member with an ASD) or if behaviours sometimes associated with ASD are present
It is important for doctors to screen all children for developmental delays, but especially to monitor those who are at a higher risk for developmental problems due to preterm birth, low birth weight, or having a brother or sister with an ASD.
If your child’s doctor does not routinely check your child with this type of developmental screening test, ask that it be done.
If the doctor sees any signs of a problem, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is needed.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
The second step of diagnosis is a comprehensive evaluation.
This thorough review may include looking at the child’s behaviour and development and interviewing the parents.
It may also include a hearing and vision screening, genetic testing, neurological testing, and other medical testing.
In some cases, the primary care doctor might choose to refer the child and family to a specialist for further assessment and diagnosis.
Specialists who can do this type of evaluation include:
- Developmental Pediatricians (doctors who have special training in child development and children with special needs)
- Child Neurologists (doctors who work on the brain, spine, and nerves)
- Child Psychologists or Psychiatrists (doctors who know about the human mind)
What can we find in the cat on trampoline blog?
Cat on a trampoline is a blog created by a mother named Liz who has two children who suffer from autism.
The drawing was created by her daughter Melon and caused a lot of surprises since it was the first drawing where she clearly explained what she had done.
The drawing became the blog image and name.
In the blog, Liz explains about autism and how it has been her journey to give her two children a better quality of life.
It is a blog that can serve as inspiration for many parents who are trying to help their children with autism and for those who, even without having children with the condition, can learn more and raise awareness.
Each article highlights how the process of having two children with autism has been and how it has affected their lives.
Liz seeks to be an example and shows others that if you can live a happy and peaceful life having autism.
Liz with her experience as a nurse can deal with people with different conditions and during assisting her children with autism, she has taken courses to learn more and to be a better guide for both.
Having a child with autism does not mean lowering that the world is lost.
As a human being, he has different needs and another way of seeing the world.
You may have an autistic child and you don’t know what to do, but remember that on this trip you are not alone.
Like Liz, many parents every day look for alternative techniques and activities that not only help their children but for themselves.
Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my top recommendations here, as well as a full list of all products and services our team has tested for various mental health conditions and general wellness.
FAQs about a cat on a trampoline melon autism
Does autism have a cure?
No, autism has no cure, but there are several treatments focused on offering a better quality of life to the person suffering from the condition.
At what age can one detect that someone has autism?
Autism shows symptoms in the first years of development.
Commonly between 12 to 18 months of age or earlier.
Can a person get autism by being with another person suffering from the condition?
No, autism is a mental illness. It is not any type of virus or something contagious.
Can I give my child medication if it have autism?
Your child’s evaluation and evolution will determine if you need medication or not.
In case you need them, the professional will be in charge of prescribing them.
What type of disorder does autism belong to?
Autism belongs to the set of mental disorders of the autistic spectrum that is part of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Conclusion
It is never easy for parents to receive the diagnosis that their child is autistic.
Not knowing about the condition and not knowing if they can give a better quality to your child makes them often fall into despair and depression.
Liz experienced a series of emotions knowing that not only her daughter Melon had autism, but also her son Boy.
Having two children with autism and working to provide a better quality of life can be challenging, but it is not impossible.
For those parents who are going through a similar situation or those who want to know more, Liz’s story is a good start.
Cat on trampoline recounts how she helps her children who have autism.
Autism is not an impediment for her to live happily with her children, nor should it be for you if you are going through a similar situation.
Recommended links
- My Life with Tom, Living With Autism. The Blogs, Volume One
- Can I tell you about Autism?: A guide for friends, family and professionals
- Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders
References
- Autism
- Diagnosis of autism
- Cat on a trampoline
- Autism spectrum disorder