What is Autism?

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child’s life. These signs often develop gradually, though some children with autism reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace and then regress.

Autism is a life-affecting disorder characterized by a profound withdrawal from contact with people, repetitive behaviour, and fear of change in the environment. The emotional disorder affects the brain’s ability to receive and process information. People who have autism find it difficult to act in a way that other people think is “normal”. They find it difficult to talk to other people, to look at other people and often do not like being touched by other people. They may talk only to themselves, rock themselves backwards and forwards, and laugh at their own thoughts. They do not like any type of change and may find it very difficult to learn a new behaviour. People with autism may be severely impaired in some respects but normal, or even superior, in others.

Characteristics

• Stereotype is repetitive movement, such as hand flapping, head rolling, or body rocking.
• Compulsive behaviour is intended and appears to follow rules, such as arranging objects in stacks or lines.
• Sameness is resistance to change; for example, insisting that the furniture not be moved or refusing to be interrupted.
• Ritualistic behaviour involves an unvarying pattern of daily activities, such as an unchanging menu or a dressing ritual.
• Restricted behaviour is limited in focus, interest, or activity, such as preoccupation with a single television program, toy or game.
• Self-injury includes movements that injure the person, such as eye-poking, skin-picking, hand-biting and head-banging.

Age of Onset

First concern happens by 15 months

Early onset – within 1st year

Later onset – within 2nd year

Symptoms

• Limited response to name
• Limited eye contact
• Delays in language
• A typical behaviours – Spinning and intense visual examination of objects
• Limited interest in people and social interaction
• Limited affective range
• Limited joint attention skills
• Poor observational / imitative learning
• Low frequency of communication and poor non-verbal communication
• Stereotypical/idiosyncratic use of language (e.g., scripting, body rocking, hand flapping)
• Use of other’s body to communicate
• Abnormalities in Play and Imagination Development
• Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviours
• Seeking/avoiding specific visual stimuli (lights, motion, touch)
• Seeking sensory input (jumping, rocking, spinning)
• Interest in details of objects (e.g., wheels)
• Hand and finger mannerisms
• Exceptional Abilities – Exceptional memory, computational skills, artistic abilities, musical skills
• Failure to establish friendships with children of the same age
• Lack of empathy
• A need for sameness and routines

If you identify the following signs and symptoms please consult the Doctor!!

If a formal evaluation is needed for diagnosis, it will be done by a comprehensive medical, developmental, educational and psychosocial programme to help you to deal with your child and help him / her in overall development.

Biological Causes

It is generally accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. It, too, has a genetic basis. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism. Other investigations portray problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances and exposure to chemicals leading to autism.

Genetic Vulnerability – Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism.