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Autism, formally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a condition wherein an individual exhibits a problem with behavior and communication. Usually, this developmental disorder occurs within the first three years of your life.
This medical condition has also brought a lot of misconceptions and myths that may mislead, offend, or stigmatize individuals with ASD.
Thus, here are ten things you should understand about autism:
Autism origin
The term autism derives its name from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “self.” It is a developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3 and was first used by a psychiatrist named Eugen Bleuler in 1908 to describe a schizophrenic patient who appeared to have withdrawn into his world. Thus, the term autism was coined to refer to a person with chronic self-admiration and self-withdrawal.
Causes
- Brain abnormalities that may impact the function and structure of the brain.
- Infections. These may also cause autism. The Rubella virus was one of the first acknowledged causes. Other infections related to the development of autism include herpes simplex virus, measles, mumps, cytomegalovirus, congenital rubella, stealth virus, and varicella.
- Medications and substances taken during pregnancy. These may include alcohol, drugs, or particular seizure medications.
- Metabolic problems such as low thyroid levels or hypothyroidism in infants. These conditions are associated with the development of autism due to brain abnormalities in the baby. In addition, phenylketonuria (PKU), a hereditary disorder that increases phenylalanine in the blood, is also a common metabolic cause of mental retardation.
- Genetic Disorder. According to WebMD, almost 10% of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder have a form of a genetic disorder such as Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome.
The commonality of all the associated causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder is that they tend to cause damage to the brains of babies leading to abnormalities.
Autism symptoms
- When a child fails to respond to his or her name or seems to not hear you at times
- He or she may resist cuddling and holding and tend to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own personal space/world.
- A person with ASD has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression.
- They may not speak or have delayed speech or lose their previous ability to say words, phrases, or sentences.
- They cannot start a conversation or keep one going, or only start one to ask for something or label certain items
- Abnormalities in speech, tone, and rhythm of the voice, or may seem to have a robot-like speech.
- May exhibit repetition of words or phrases verbatim. However, he/she does not know how to use them properly.
- Has difficulty understanding simple directions or questions
- Lacks the ability to express emotions and may be unaware of other people’s feelings
- An approach to social interaction may be passive, aggressive, or disruptive.
- Fails to recognize nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people’s facial expressions, body postures, or tone of voice.
Complications
A person with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) may experience difficulty with communication and social interaction. Here are some complications that a person with ASD will likely experience:
- They may find difficulty in successfully learning in schools since they need specialized learning
- Due to a lack of social skills and communication skills, they might find it hard to find jobs
- It will be problematic for them to live independently since they lack the ability to
- A person with ASD may be socially isolated.
- Susceptible to bullying or oppression
Treatment
Although there has been huge progress in understanding ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) through years of research, there are no biomedical treatments for the primary social impairment of autism. Participating in clinical trials for autism can be a way to find promising results.
However, a child’s life outcomes are reassuringly improved with early diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, autism spectrum disorder is not degenerative and does not cause premature disability, mortality, or morbidity. People with ASD can continuously improve through specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion.
Prevention
Prevention is always preferable to cure. Sadly, we cannot prevent ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). However, through early diagnosis, we can opt for treatment options that will help improve skills, behavior, and language development.
Uniqueness
There are a lot of stereotypes concerning individuals with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Although they may be generalized to lack social skills, social motivation, and social interest, every individual with ASD is unique. The term “spectrum” in ASD refers to various symptoms and severity.
Autism as a rare case
Autism Spectrum Disorder is not as common as it may seem. According to Autism.org, ADS occurs in just 1 out of 2000 children globally. Nonetheless, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of autism since the 1980s. The numbers have ballooned to 1 in every 54 children in the US, according to the US Federal Centers for Disease Control.
Intervention
Early intervention will be a top priority since there is no treatment for people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Such that, early age intervention will likely yield better results. The effects of earlier diagnosis and intervention have helped people with ASD to live semi-independently and even attend normal classroom setups.
Parental advice
It can be heartbreaking to be a parent of a child with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Some may be overwhelmed or devastated brought by the circumstances of their child’s condition. To the parents, here are some tips to lessen your burden:
- Join parent support groups and talk to other parents supporting children with ASD.
- Develop and sustain strong emotions
- Provide a safe space for your child, especially at home
- Make ways to communicate non-verbally with your child
- It is best to find effective services, treatments, and education for autistic children as soon as possible
With the proper information and guidance, you can understand ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). People with Autism Spectrum Disorder need to receive specialized support, help and understanding that they essentially require and deserve. Keep in mind that they, too, are human beings who need our love and encouragement.