Autism – Everything about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What Is Autism ?

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a group of neuro-developmental conditions that leads to communication and behaviour changes in people. Those with autism often exhibit repetitive patterns of behaviour and activities, difficulty with social interaction and non-verbal communication, obsessive interests and emotional issues. They may also find it tough to learn things or express themselves through words, facial expressions and gestures.

Types of Autism

The four main types of autism are:

1. Asperger’s Syndrome

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome have average to above average intelligence. They do not have any speech issues and can communicate well with others. However, they may feel socially awkward. Asperger’s Syndrome is a milder type of autism.

Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome:

• Trouble in understanding body language, facial expressions, and social cues
• Trouble in understanding humour or irony
• Lack of eye contact
• Talking too loudly
• Awkward body language
• Repeating certain behaviours and activities
• Obsession with one or more hobbies
• Emotional outbursts

2. Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

This is a milder form of autism, too, in which children may experience delays in walking, language development and other motor skills.

Symptoms of PDD-NOS:

• Uneven skill development
• Unusual social behaviour
• Repetitive behaviours and actions
• Poor speech and language development
• Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, taste and touch
• Highly restricted interests
• Trouble in accepting change

3. Autistic Disorder

Autistic Disorder is a more severe type of autism in which the symptoms are evident early on.

Symptoms of Autistic Disorder:

• Communication problems
• Difficulty with social interaction
• Repetitive behaviours
• Eating and sleeping issues
• Emotional meltdowns or tantrums

4. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Children with this type of autism usually develop for the first few years but experience a rapid decline in acquiring important skills later. Children who would easily communicate earlier may stop talking gradually. This is a severe type of autism.

Symptoms of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder:

• Loss of previously gained language and communication skills
• A decline in social skills, motor skills and self-care abilities
• Weakening of bladder and bowel control

Causes of Autism

What causes autism is not very clear. The condition can happen to anyone, irrespective of race, social background and ethnicity.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Specific symptoms of autism are apparent in early childhood, mainly when a kid is between 12 and 24 months old. However, the intensity of the early signs can vary from child to child. For example, while some children may exhibit ASD symptoms in their first months, others may show apparent signs only when they are 2 or 3 years old.

Some common autism symptoms are:

For kids between 6 and 12 months old

• Limited or no eye contact
• Few or no smiles and other expressions of joy
• Few or no gestures, such as pointing or waving
• Little or no babbling or chatting
• Not engaging in interactive games
• Limited or occasional response to their names

For kids between 12and 24 months old

• Very few words or phrases
• Restricted interests
• Not engaging in simple games and “pretend play”
• Repetitive behaviours, like rocking back and forth, flapping arms or running back and forth

At any age

• Loss of previously developed speech
• Talking in a flat, robotic voice
• Loss of social skills
• Lack of eye contact
• Not listening to what other people say
• Not understanding when someone is sad or hurt
• Trouble in expressing feelings
• Limited understanding of speech, facial expressions and gestures
• Slow language development or repetition of words and phrases
• Limited interest in most topics
• Strong interest in certain activities or topics, such as art and music
• High sensitivity to light, sound, taste and smell
• Trouble in adapting to new surroundings
• Resistance to even small changes in routine

Other symptoms

• Gastrointestinal discomforts, like constipation or diarrhoea
• Sudden emotional reactions
• Strange eating habits and sleep patterns
• Hyperactive or impulsive behaviours
• Excessive stress and fear
• Seizures
• Delayed development of language and cognitive skills

However, parents must understand that some children who don’t have autism may also show certain signs and symptoms of the condition. Hence, consulting a healthcare professional is important.

How is Autism Diagnosed?

Diagnosing autism or ASD can be challenging as there are no blood tests that can confirm the condition. Hence, doctors usually observe a child’s behaviour and mental development and talk to the parents to know their concerns. In most cases, paediatricians may notice children’s developmental delays during regular check-ups. Early diagnosis of autism is essential to ensure timely help and support. Hence, parents must contact a specialist without delay if they notice any developmental issues with kids. Here’s what specialists do to diagnose ASD.

1. Developmental Screening

Doctors or paediatricians usually listen to parents’ concerns and observe young children’s behaviours to check for symptoms. This ongoing process may require the help of parents, grandparents, education providers and caregivers as well. Anyone close to the child must observe how they grow and communicate the same to the doctor.

Doctors ask specific family history questions to assess the child’s behaviour and development. Some common questions are:

• Did the child smile by 6 months?
• Did they imitate facial expressions and sounds at 9 months?
• Did they start babbling by 12 months?
• Do they make eye contact?
• Do they respond to their name?
• Are some of their behaviours repetitive or unusual?
• Do they try to interact with others?
• Are they experiencing sleep or digestion issues?
• Are they sensitive to light, sound, temperature and other things?

Developmental screening should be done regularly till the child is 2 to 3 years old. Then, if the doctor notices any developmental problems, they will refer parents to specialists treating children with autism.

Diagnostic Tests

These tests are conducted by a team of ASD specialists, such as child psychologists, speech-language pathologists, neurologists and developmental paediatricians.

• Specialists check the child thoroughly for cognitive and language abilities.
• They also see if the child can eat and dress up appropriately, use the bathroom independently, and more.
• Specialists also give them a structured test to get a better idea.
• Parents may be asked to fill out a questionnaire as well.

While diagnosing the condition, experts keep different types of autism in mind, such as Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Autistic Disorder and Childhood Degenerative Disorder.

Treatment of Autism

Currently, there is no cure for ASD, nor is there a fixed treatment that can help everyone with autism. The condition affects each person differently, so everyone requires a different set of treatments to ease the symptoms. However, early treatment can improve the outcome dramatically and help one live everyday life.

Some popular approaches to treating autism include:

1. Applied Behaviour Analysis

This helps autistic children develop communication skills and reduce aggressive behaviour.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT helps autistic people recognise their emotions, manage anxiety better, and reduce negative behaviour.

3. Sensory integration Therapy

If someone is susceptible to light, sound and smell, SIT can reduce their response or sensitivity to such things.

4. Social Skills Training

This helps autistic people develop social skills, like initiating a conversation and understanding humour and emotions.

5. Occupational Therapy

This includes teaching essential motor skills, self-care skills and handwriting skills to autistic individuals.

6. Speech Therapy

This helps people with autism to communicate better.

Alternate Remedies

Apart from prescribed medications, autistic people must also make specific changes in their diet. They must include more fresh fruits and vegetables, unsaturated fats and other healthy foods in their diet and avoid gluten, preservatives, sweeteners and artificial colours.

Risk Factors of Autism

Experts have identified the following environmental, genetic and biological factors that may increase a child’s risk of ASD or autism:

• Having an immediate family member with the condition
• Having certain chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome
• Certain genetic mutations
• Complications at birth
• Low birth weight and metabolic imbalances
• Being born to older parents
• Exposure to certain environmental toxins
• Pregnant women are exposed to anti-seizure medications, alcohol and other drugs or chemicals
• Certain maternal metabolic conditions, like diabetes and obesity

Living With Autism

ASD does not affect everyone the same way. While some people experience minor symptoms, others may require full-time attention and care. People with autism also exhibit uneven development of important life skills. For example, while they may find it challenging to communicate normally, they can be exceptionally good at certain activities, like music, art and math.

Autism begins in early childhood, and many children show symptoms of the condition within the first year. Although there is no cure for ASD, timely diagnosis and the proper treatment can make things easier for autistic individuals.

Conclusion

It is essential to understand that autism is not a disease or illness. It only makes the brain work differently; hence, people with autism seem different from others. However, with timely diagnosis and the right treatments, autistic individuals can live a normal and happy life.