AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that affects 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. The term “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Different types of autism, such as Autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) are comes under “autism spectrum disorders.”

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Common signs shown by people who have autism spectrum disorder include:

Social communication and interaction skills characteristics related to ASD can include:

• Not turn to a mother’s voice.
• Not respond to their own name.
• Avoids or does not keep eye contact.
• Does not play simple interactive games by 12 months of age.
• Have no babbling or pointing by age one.
• Not smile or respond to social cues from others.

Restricted or Repetitive Behaviours or Interests

People with ASD have behaviours or interests that can seem unusual including:

• Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when the order is changed.
• Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
• Plays with toys the same way every time.
• Is focused on parts of objects (for example, wheels)
• Gets upset by minor changes.
• Has obsessive interests
• Must follow certain routines.
• Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
• Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

Other Characteristics related to ASD

• Delayed language skills.
• Delayed movement skills.
• Delayed cognitive or learning skills.
• Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behaviour.
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder.
• Unusual eating and sleeping habits.
• Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation).
• Unusual mood or emotional reactions.
• Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry.
• Lack of fear or more fear than expected.

It is important to note that children with ASD may not have all or any of the behaviors listed above.

Risk Factors For ASD

Current known risk factors for autism include:

• Birthing parent of age 35 or older.
• Use of valproic acid or thalidomide by the mother during pregnancy.
• Premature labor and birth.
• Complications during birth.
• Low birth weight.
• Having a sibling with autism.
• Having certain chromosomal or genetic conditions.

COMPLICATIONS 

A wide range of physical and mental conditions often come along with autism. These conditions may include:

• Feeding issues.
• Poor sleep.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
• Epilepsy.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Anxiety and depression.
• Other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.      

Diagnosis

• Many children aren’t diagnosed with an autism disorder until preschool or even kindergarten and because of this, they may miss getting the help they need in the early years. That’s why its important to screen all children at nine months old for delays in basic skills.
• Special ASD check-ups are needed at 18 months, 24 months for children with worrisome behaviors or a family history of autism.
• If you notice signs in your child, see your pediatrician. They can refer you to health professionals who specialize in ASDs, like one of these:
  • They diagnose and treat problems with emotions and behavior.
  • Pediatric neurologist. They treat conditions of the brain.
  • Developmental pediatrician.They specialize in speech and language issues and other developmental problems.
  • They have expertise in mental health conditions and can prescribe medicine to treat them.
• Because autism spectrum disorder varies widely in symptoms and severity, making a diagnosis may be difficult.
• There isn’t a specific medical test to determine the disorder. Instead, a specialist may:
• Observe your child and ask how your child’s social interactions, communication skills and behaviour have developed and changed over time.
• Give your child tests covering hearing, speech, language, developmental level, and social and behavioural issues.
• Present structured social and communication interactions to your child and score the performance.
• Recommend genetic testing to identify whether your child has a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome or Fragile X syndrome.

TREATMENT

The type of treatment your child receives for autism spectrum disorder depends on their individual needs. Because ASD is a spectrum of disorder (meaning some children have mild symptoms and others have severe symptoms) and each child who has it is unique, there are a variety of treatments.

They can include different kinds of therapies to improve speech and behavior, and sometimes medications to help manage any medical conditions related to autism.

The condition is often treated with a team approach. That means you might see more than one doctor for your child’s care.

Treatment options may include:

• Behavior and communication therapies. Many programs address the range of social, language, and behavioral difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorder. Some programs focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills. Other programs focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or communicate better with others. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) can help children learn new skills and generalize these skills to multiple situations through a reward-based motivation system.
• Educational therapies. Children with autism spectrum disorder often respond well to highly structured educational programs. Successful programs typically include a team of specialists and a variety of activities to improve social skills, communication and behaviour. Preschool children who receive intensive, individualized behavioral interventions often show good progress.
• Family therapies. Parents and other family members can learn how to play and interact with their children in ways that promote social interaction skills, manage problem behaviours, and teach daily living skills and communication.
• Other therapies. Depending on your child’s needs, speech therapy to improve communication skills, occupational therapy to teach activities of daily living, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance may be beneficial. A psychologist can recommend ways to address problem behavior.
• No medication can improve the core signs of autism spectrum disorder, but specific medications can help control symptoms. For example, certain medications may be prescribed if your child is hyperactive; antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems. Keep all healthcare providers updated on any medications or supplements your child is taking. Some medications and supplements can interact, causing dangerous side effects.

In addition to autism spectrum disorder, children, teens, and adults can also experience:

• Medical health issues.
• Problems with transition to adulthood. Teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty understanding body changes.
• Other mental health disorders:  such as anxiety and depression.
• Always ask your child’s health specialist, how to best manage these conditions together.

OUTLOOK

• People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.
• There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people.
• The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly.
• Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.
• Getting an early diagnosis means treatment can begin sooner.