Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing difficulties with social interaction and communication. The disorder also exhibits limited and repetitive behavioral patterns. The term “spectrum” refers to the vast variety of symptoms and severity associated with autism spectrum disorder.

This condition manifests itself in early childhood and eventually creates difficulties in social, academic, and occupational functioning. Children with autism frequently exhibit signs within the first year of life. A small number of children appear to develop normally during the first year but subsequently have regression between the ages of 18 and 24 months when they develop autism symptoms.

 

 

Understanding Autism: Different Behaviors and Abilities

  • Some children exhibit early indicators of autism spectrum condition, such as diminished eye contact, a lack of responsiveness to their name, or apathy towards carers.
  • Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but later become introverted or violent, or lose linguistic skills they’ve already learned.
  • Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a distinct behavioral pattern and level of severity ranging from low to high functioning.
  • Children with autism spectrum condition have trouble learning, and others show indicators of intelligence that are lower than usual.
  • Some children with the illness have normal to high intellect – they learn quickly but struggle to communicate and apply what they learn in everyday life, as well as adjust to social situations.

 

Interaction And Social Communication

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may struggle with social interaction and communication skills, exhibiting any of the following symptoms:

  • Fails to answer his or her name or stares in
  • Rejects hugging and holding and appears to prefer playing alone, withdrawing into his or her world
  • Lacks eye contact and facial expressiveness
  • Does not speak, speaks slowly, or loses previous capacity to articulate words or sentences
  • Can’t start or maintain a conversation, or simply start one to make requests or label objects.
  • Speaks in an unusual tone or rhythm, and may employ a singsong voice or robot-like speaking.
  • Does not express emotions or feelings and appears clueless about the feelings of others
  • Does not point to or bring objects of shared interest
  • Approaches a social engagement inappropriately by being passive, confrontational, or disruptive.
  • Has difficulties recognizing nonverbal signs, such as comprehending other people’s facial expressions, body postures, or tone of voice.

 

 

Behavior Patterns

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may exhibit limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or hobbies, as well as any of the following symptoms:

  • Repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning, or hand flapping
  • Engages in self-harming behaviors such as biting or headbanging
  • Forms precise patterns or rituals and becomes agitated at the smallest variation
  • Has difficulty with coordination or unusual movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on tiptoes, as well as unusual, stiff, or excessive body language
  • Is intrigued by features of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but does not understand the object’s main purpose or function.
  • Is extremely sensitive to light, sound, or touch, but may be indifferent to pain or discomfort.
  • Does not engage in imitative or pretend play
  • Has an abnormally intense or focused fixation on an object or activity
  • Has certain food preferences, such as consuming only a few items or refusing meals having a specific texture

Some children with autism spectrum disorder become more engaged with others and have fewer behavioral difficulties as they mature. Some people, usually those with the least severe issues, may eventually lead normal or nearly normal lives. Others, on the other hand, continue to struggle with language or social skills, and the teen years can exacerbate behavioral and emotional issues.

 

 

When Should You See A Doctor?

Babies develop at their rate, and many do not adhere to the strict deadlines outlined in certain parenting books. However, children with autism spectrum disorder frequently show evidence of impaired development before the age of two.

If you are worried about your child’s development or suspect that he or she has an autism spectrum condition, talk to your doctor. The signs of the illness can also be related to other developmental abnormalities.

Autism spectrum disorder symptoms frequently manifest early in infancy, when there are noticeable deficits in language abilities and social interactions. Your doctor may advise you to get your kid tested for developmental impairments in cognitive, linguistic, and social skills if your child:

  • Has not responded with a smile or a happy expression for 6 months
  • By 9 months, does not copy sounds or facial expressions.
  • Does not chatter or coo by the age of 12 months
  • Doesn’t make any gestures (such as pointing or waving) by 14 months
  • Doesn’t say a single word by the age of 16 months
  • Does not play “make-believe” or pretend by the age of 18 months
  • Doesn’t say two-word phrases by the age of 24 months
  • Loss of language or social abilities at any age

 

Possible Factors Behind Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is no single recognized cause of autism spectrum disease. Given the disorder’s intricacy and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are most likely multiple causes. Genetics and the environment may both have an impact.

  • Genetics: Autism spectrum disease appears to be caused by several distinct genes. Autism spectrum disorder may be accompanied by a genetic condition, such as Rett syndrome or Fragile X syndrome, in some children. In some youngsters, genetic variations (mutations) may raise the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder. Other genes may influence brain growth or the way brain cells communicate, or they may influence the severity of symptoms. Some genetic mutations appear to be inherited, while others appear to develop spontaneously.
  • Environmental Considerations: Researchers are presently investigating whether viral infections, drugs or difficulties during pregnancy, or air pollution play a role in the onset of autism spectrum disease.

One of the most contentious issues in autism spectrum disorder is whether there is a link between the disorder and childhood immunizations. Despite significant investigation, no credible study has established a relationship between autism spectrum conditions and any vaccine. The original study that sparked the controversy years ago was withdrawn due to poor design and questionable research methodology.

By avoiding childhood immunizations, you put your kid and others at risk of contracting and transmitting dangerous diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), measles, and mumps.

 

What are the Risk Factors?

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum condition is increasing. It’s unclear if this is due to improved detection and reporting, an increase in the number of cases, or both.

Autism spectrum disorder affects children of all races and nations, although certain variables raise a child’s risk. These may include:

  • The gender of your child. Boys are around four times as likely as girls to have autism spectrum disorder.
  • A family history. Families with one autistic child are more likely to have another autistic child. It is also not uncommon for parents or relatives of a child with an autism spectrum condition to have modest difficulties with social or communication skills or to participate in appropriate behaviors.
  • Other medical conditions. Children with certain medical disorders are more likely than others to develop autism spectrum disorder or autistic-like symptoms. Fragile X syndrome is an inherited disorder that causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis is a condition in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome is a genetic condition that almost exclusively affects girls and causes slowing of head growth, intellectual disability, and loss of purposeful hand use.
  • Premature newborns. Babies born before 26 weeks of gestation may be at a higher risk of autistic spectrum disorder.
  • The age of the parents. There may be a link between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but additional study is needed to establish this link.

 

Complications

Social interaction, communication, and behavior issues can result in:

  • Issues with school and learning achievement
  • Issues with employment
  • Lack of ability to live independently
  • Social exclusion
  • Stress in the family
  • Victimisation and bullying

 

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum

For an evaluation, consult a child psychiatrist or psychologist, a pediatric neurologist, or a developmental pediatrician.

Making a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder can be difficult due to the vast range of symptoms and severity. There is no specific medical test that may be used to diagnose the disease. A specialist, on the other hand, may:

  • Watch your child and inquire about how his or her social interactions, communication skills, and behavior have developed and changed over time.
  • Give your child hearing, speech, language, developmental level, and social and behavioral difficulties tests.
  • Show your child organized social and communicative encounters and grade their performance.
  • Involve other professionals in making a diagnosis.
  • Suggest genetic testing to determine whether your child has a genetic disorder.
  • Suggest genetic testing to determine if your child has a hereditary disease like Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome.

 

Treatment Options

The goal of treatment is to improve your child’s capacity to function by minimizing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and promoting development and learning. Early intervention during your child’s preschool years can help them gain important social, linguistic, functional, and behavioral skills.

If your child has autism spectrum disorder, consult with experts about developing a treatment plan and assembling a team of professionals to fulfill your child’s requirements.

The treatment options available are:

  • Communication and Behavior Therapy: Many programs target the social, verbal, and behavioral issues that are common in autism spectrum disorder. Some programs emphasize problem behavior reduction and the acquisition of new abilities. Other programs educate children on how to behave in social situations or how to communicate more effectively with others. Through a reward-based motivation system, applied behavior analysis (ABA) can assist youngsters in learning new skills and generalizing these skills to a variety of settings.
  • Educative Therapy: Highly structured educational programs often work well for children with autism spectrum disorder. A team of specialists is usually included in successful programs. Preschool children who receive intense, personalized behavioral therapy frequently make good progress.
  • Family Treatments: Parents and other family members can learn how to play and connect with their children in ways that develop social interaction skills, handle problem behaviors, and teach daily living skills and communication.
  • Additional Therapies: Depending on your child’s needs, speech therapy to enhance communication abilities, occupational therapy to teach activities of daily living, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance may all be effective. A psychologist can advise you on how to deal with problematic behavior.
  • Medication: No drug can improve the basic symptoms of autism spectrum condition, but many medications can assist in regulating symptoms. If your child is hyperactive, for example, certain medications may be administered; antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat this condition.

Keep all of your child’s healthcare professionals up to speed on any medications or supplements he or she is taking. Some drugs and supplements can interact, resulting in potentially serious side effects.

Aside from autism spectrum disorder, children, adolescents, and adults may also experience:

  • Medical Health Problems: Children with autism spectrum conditions may also suffer from medical concerns such as seizures, sleep disorders, restricted food choices, or stomach problems. Inquire with your child’s doctor about the best way to manage these problems simultaneously.
  • Problems with the Transition to Maturity: Teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder may have trouble recognizing physical changes. Furthermore, social interactions become more complex in adolescence, and there may be less tolerance for individual diversity. The teenage years can be difficult due to behavioral issues.
  • Other Mental Health Issues: Teens and adults with autism spectrum disorder frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Your doctor, a mental health professional, and community advocacy and support organizations can all assist you.