Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is always accompanied by certain other disorders as well. The severity and symptoms depend from child to child; ranging from gifted to severely challenged in learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities. That is why it is called as autism spectrum disorder as the mental abilities may vary on the spectrum. These abilities are characterised in to some broad categories. Which are:
• Social Awareness
• Communication (verbal and non verbal)
• Sensory Processing
• Focus and interests
• Repetition and routines
• Motor skills
Symptoms:
• Children or adults with ASD might:
• Not point at objects to show interest (for example, not point at an airplane flying over).
• Not look at objects when another person points at them.
• Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all.
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone.
• Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings.
• Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to.
• Appear to be unaware when people talk to them but respond to other sounds.
• Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them.
• Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language.
• Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions.
• Not play “pretend” games (for example, not pretend to “feed” a doll).
• Repeat actions over and over again.
• Have trouble adapting when routine changes.
• Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound.
• Lose skills they once had (for example, stop saying words they were using).
Causes:
• We do not know all the causes of ASD. However, we have learned that there are likely many causes for multiple types of ASD. There may be many different factors that make a child more likely to have an ASD, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors.
• Most scientists agree that genes are one of the risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop ASD
• Children who have a sibling with ASD are at a higher risk of also having ASD.
• Individuals with certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis, can have a greater chance of having ASD.
• When taken during pregnancy, the prescription drugs valproic acid and thalidomide have been linked with a higher risk of ASD.
• There is some evidence that the critical period for developing ASD occurs before, during, and immediately after birth.
• Children born to older parents are at greater risk for having ASD.
Diagnoses:
A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately, are now collectively called autism spectrum disorder. The conditions include:
• Autistic disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
• Asperger syndrome.
Treatments:
• Behavioral Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Certain Medications to control motor neuron dysfunction. (Tourette's or seizures)
