Autism: Know it all

Autism

The conditions that make up autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are varied. They are distinguished by a certain level of difficulties in communication and social engagement. Atypical patterns of behaviour and activity, such as trouble switching between activities, an attention to detail, and peculiar responses to sensations, are additional traits.

People with autism have different needs and abilities, and these might change over time. While some autistic individuals can live independently, others have significant difficulties and need care and support for the rest of their lives. Autism frequently affects one's ability to pursue further education and employment. Furthermore, there can be a lot of pressure on families to provide care and support.

People with autism have varying degrees of quality of life depending on societal views and the quantity of support from local and national authorities.

Although early childhood may show signs of autism, the disorder is frequently not identified until much later.

What do you mean by Autism?

A complex, lifelong condition, autism, commonly known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), involves behavioural and communication issues. Since it's a spectrum disorder, various people will experience its effects to differing degrees. By age two or three, it typically manifests.

Autism sufferers struggle to communicate. They struggle to comprehend the thoughts and emotions of others. They find it difficult to communicate verbally as well as through touch, gestures, and facial expressions as a result.

Learning difficulties can arise for those with autism. Their abilities may not develop equally. For instance, individuals might struggle with speech yet excel in arithmetic, music, art, or memory-related subjects. They may perform particularly well on exams of analysis or problem-solving as a result.

Autism is being diagnosed in more kids than it has ever been in history. However, rather than being a result of more kids having the illness, the most recent figures might be higher due to modifications in the diagnosis process.

Autism classified as "high-functioning" or "low-functioning”.

Each autistic person will experience symptoms differently. Some people struggle more than others with communication, learning, or social skills. In certain situations, they are unable to live alone and may require assistance with daily duties. This is commonly referred to as "low-functioning autism.

There may be others with autism who exhibit less evident symptoms. They frequently perform well in school and have less communication issues. This is commonly referred to as "high-functioning autism. However, it can be insulting to refer to someone as "high-functioning" or "low-functioning". It's preferable to avoid them. Alternatively, you may use language like "more significant" or "less significant" to discuss how someone with autism is affected.

Symptoms of Autism

Autism symptoms typically start to show up before a child turns three. Some folks exhibit symptoms right away.

Typical indications of autism consist of:

• Not making eye contact.

• A limited scope of interests or a strong passion for particular subjects.

• Repeating words or phrases, swaying back and forth, or fussing with things (like switching a light switch) are examples of repetitive behaviours.

• High sensitivity to stimuli that other individuals would consider commonplace, such as sounds, sensations, scents, or sights.

• Ignoring or not paying attention to others.

• Averting your gaze while someone else gestures at you.

• Refusing to be hugged or held.

• Difficulties with speaking, gestures, facial expressions, or voice intonation.

• Using a robotic, flat, or sing-song voice when speaking.

• Having difficulty adjusting to routine adjustments.

• Seizures may also occur in some autistic kids. Perhaps they won't begin till adolescence.

Symptoms of autism in adulthood:

Adults with autism may exhibit particular symptoms. Typical symptoms may consist of:

• Having trouble figuring out what other people are feeling or thinking.

• deciding to live alone or finding it difficult to make acquaintances.

• Fear of social situations.

• maintaining a daily schedule and becoming agitated if it alters.

Finding it difficult to communicate your feelings?

• interpreting things literally or failing to recognise irony.

• seeming to others as brusque, indifferent, or blunt without intending to.

Other indications of adult autism could be:

• Keeping your eyes closed

• Not knowing "rules" or social queues

• Getting too close to people or becoming irate when they touch or get too close to you.

• Having a keen interest in some subjects

• Seeing minute nuances, noises, smells, or patterns that others miss Desiring to thoroughly plan actions before taking them.

Symptoms of autism in children

Children with autism may exhibit many symptoms. They could consist of:

• 9 months old and not responding to their name.

• By nine months old, no facial expressions.

• At twelve months old, he no longer wanted to play simple games like pat-a-cake.

• By the age of 12 months, no gestures, such as waving hello, are used.

• 24 month old is unable to discern when other people are happy or sad.

• By the age of 36 months, doesn't notice or want to play with other kids.

• When sixty months old, doesn't perform, sing, or dance for you.

• Arranges toys in a particular order and becomes irate if that order is altered.

• Displays compulsive hobbies.

• Flails their fists, rocks their body, or makes circles.

• Delayed cognitive, language, motor, or learning abilities.

• Strange eating or sleeping patterns.

• Greater or lesser degree of anxiety towards objects than would be predicted.

Stumbling.

Self-stimulating behaviours include hopping, head-banging, spinning, whirling, flapping of the hands and arms, and other similar body movements. It can also involve repeatedly using an object, such as touching something with a particular texture, twisting a string, or flicking a rubber band, among other examples.

Stimulating is a common way for people with autism to pass the time when they're bored, stressed, or anxious. They can also modify the amount of sensory input with its assistance. To distract themselves from another loud or upsetting sound, they might, for instance, twirl a string to observe it or concentrate on a single sound.

Breakdowns.

An individual with autism may occasionally feel overpowered by a circumstance and be unable to react appropriately. They can have a breakdown as a result of this. They could yell, cry, or physically act out—biting, striking, or kicking. They can become totally inoperable and cease to react altogether. This isn't a tantrum; they can't articulate their feelings or cope with feeling overwhelmed.

Types of Autism

It was once believed that these kinds were distinct conditions. These now come under the category of autism spectrum disorders, which includes:

• Asperger's syndrome: On intelligence tests, children with Asperger's syndrome typically receive average or above-average results. However, they could struggle with social skills and have a limited range of interests.

• Autistic disorder: This is typically what people associate with the term "autism." In children younger than three years old, it has an impact on play, social relationships, and communication.

• Disintegrative condition in childhood: For at least two years, children with this disease develop normally; after that, they mostly or completely lose their social and communication abilities.

• Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD or atypical autism): If your child doesn't fit into another group but exhibits some autistic behaviour, such as deficits in social and communication skills, your doctor may use this phrase.

Causes of Autism

It's unclear why autism occurs exactly. It might result from issues with the areas of your brain responsible for processing language and interpreting sensory data.

Boys are four times as likely than girls to have autism. People of any colour, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status can experience it. A child's chance of developing autism is unaffected by family money, way of life, or degree of education. However, a few risk factors exist:

An increased chance of autism exists in children with older parents. Children with autism spectrum disorders are more likely to be born to pregnant mothers who are exposed to specific substances or chemicals, such as alcohol or anti-seizure medications. Obesity and diabetes in mothers are examples of additional risk factors. Additionally, untreated cases of rubella (German measles) and phenylketonuria (commonly known as PKU, a metabolic condition caused by the absence of an enzyme) have been associated to autism.

Having Autism and Getting By:

You will always have autism if you have it. However, a child with autism might develop significantly differently if they receive treatment early enough. Inform your physician as soon as you suspect your child is exhibiting signs of an ASD.

Therapies for autism:

A person's solution may not be a solution for another. Your physician should customise your care or that of your youngster. The primary categories of care are:

• Behavioural: Assists an individual in comprehending the origins and consequences of their actions, enabling them to modify undesired habits.

• Developmental: Occupational therapy focuses on living skills like eating and dressing, physical therapy enhances motor function, and speech therapy helps patients communicate more effectively.

• Psychological: Individuals can manage their anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions with the use of therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). besides autism.

• Educational: Tailors instruction to the need of those who have autism.

• Social-relational: Concentrates on enhancing interpersonal relationships and social abilities.

• Medication: Helps reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, and attention issues that are signs of autism spectrum disorder.

For certain autistic individuals, complementary therapies may improve their communication and learning capacities. A few examples of complementary therapies are art, music, and animal-assisted therapies like horseback riding.

The goal of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) treatment is to encourage beneficial behaviour and discourage detrimental or negative behaviour. ABA is thought to be a type of behaviour control by several specialists.