All About Autism by Diva

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior.

Some people still use the term ‘Asperger's syndrome’ which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder. While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive and early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Symptoms and Patterns of Behavior:

Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence. Other children with the disorder have normal to high intelligence — they learn quickly, yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting to social situations.

• Failure to respond to their name or appears not to hear you at times

• Resists physical touch and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into their own world.

• Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression.

• 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' feeling.

• Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive.

Causes:

1. Genetic

Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome.

Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously.

Children who have a sibling with ASD are at a higher risk of also 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.

2. Environmental

Researchers are currently exploring whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder.

Treatment

The treatment aims at preparing the child to manage their routine activities and improve social, communication and behavioral skills. Medications may be prescribed depending on the requirement to control extreme behaviors like hyperactivity or anxiety. Research shows that early diagnosis and interventions, such as during preschool or before, are more likely to have major positive effects on symptoms and later skills.Various therapies that can help in reducing symptoms are-

• Behavioral management therapy

• Cognitive behavior therapy

• Early intervention

• Educational and school-based therapies

• Joint attention therapy

• Medication treatment

• Nutritional therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Parent-mediated therapy

• Robot Intervention for ASD

• Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) is considered a support tool for autism therapy through social interaction. In ongoing studies, these robots have shown high efficiency in the intervention in autism, and the social skills of children with ASD have improved. The approach of robot intervention for ASD is expected to obtain a better assist to traditional intervention procedure.