Dr. Manisha Singhal, Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist at Apollo Hospitals & Metro Hospital Noida
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social and language disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life.
The result of a brain disorder, Autism affects a person’s communication, cognition, and social interaction.
Autistic Behaviour cluster into 3 categories:
1. Social Interaction
2. Communication
3. Stereotyped Patterns Of Behaviour, interests & activities
ALSO READ: Why Mental Health Care Matters For Children With Autism
What Causes Autism?
Some genetic predisposition interacts with as-yet-unknown environmental factors that result in an alteration to the sensory nervous system, the brain, the immune system, and often the gastrointestinal tract as well.
Few Facts About Autism
- It’s a permanent condition and lasts throughout the lifetime of the individual.
- Autism may coexist with other disorders.
- Autism is more prevalent in boys than girls.
- Approximately, 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with Autism.
- Symptoms may change, particularly in response to effective training programs.
- Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, family income, lifestyle or educational levels.
- The exact etiology is still unknown but experts generally believe that Autism is caused by some form of brain abnormality.
ALSO READ: Hormone Level In Infants May Predict Autism Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
- Rett’s Disorder
- Asperger’s Disorder
- Mental Retardation
- Childhood Disintegrative Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Tourette Syndrome
- Hearing Impairment
- Developmental Language Disorder
- Visual Impairment
- Social Deprivation
Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Hypersensitivity to smell
- Touch and tactile sensitivity
- Speech and language deficits
- Echolalia
- Repeating unintelligible sounds
- Interrupting or speaking over people
- Delayed response to speech
- Articulation difficulties
- Sensitivity to light frequencies
- Looking away from someone; Avoids eye contact
- Looking fearful/frightened
- Withdraws remain aloof
- Laughs, giggles, cries inappropriately
- Uses toys/objects inappropriately
- Lines up the objects
- Flaps hands/fingers in front of the face
- Slaps/hits/bites self or attempts to injure self in other ways
- Prances, Stands on tiptoes
- Rocks back & forth
- Eats some specific foods
- Whirls/turns in circles
- Makes rapid lunging/darting movements
- Speaks/signs with a flat tone
- Unaffectionate
- Gets upset if the routine is changed.
Management For ASD
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Regular Psychological support & counseling of the child as well as the caretakers
- Patience Is The Key!
