What is Autism in Medical Terms?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs during the first two or three 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. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent in early childhood, typically before age three.
Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), which is diagnosed when the criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by rare mutations with major effects, or by rare multigenic traits, or by common genetic variants. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects.
Autism Cause
Autism is caused by genetic mutations that occur when a child’s DNA is being formed in the womb. The mutated genes can come from either parent, or possibly from a new mutation that has never occurred before.
The mutations happen randomly, and it is thought that each mutation causes autism in a unique way. Because of this, autism is likely caused by many different combinations of gene mutations.
There are also other possible causes of autism, but there is no scientific evidence to prove them at this time. These include:
- Vaccines (specifically the MMR vaccine)
- Pesticides
- Food additives
- Television and video games
- Abnormal brain structure and function
- Aging parents
Autism Diagnosis
The term “Autism Diagnosis” actually refers to the diagnosis of a group of disorders that are known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). These disorders are characterized by problems with social skills and communication, as well as repetitive behaviors, or patterns of behavior. These types of behaviors can range from mild to severe.
These behaviors tend to occur within certain areas or dimensions. Within each area, there is a range of severity. This means that there is not one set of symptoms that is used for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. Instead, the diagnosis is made based on the areas where a person has difficulties with symptoms. The three main areas that are affected by autism spectrum disorders are social interaction, communication, and restricted interests and repetitive behavior.
Autism Possible Treatment
A treatment plan is required to change the symptoms or behaviors of an autistic child. The treatment should be developed by a team of professionals who have knowledge about autism and its possible treatments. The objective of a treatment plan is to increase the development of an autistic child and make them independent.
The first thing that needs to be done is to diagnose the child with autism. This can be done with the help of a pediatrician and medical experts who have years of experience in treating autistic children. They will check the symptoms and behavior patterns of the child, which will help them in determining whether the child has autism or not.
The second step is to find out what causes autism. This can be done by examining the physical and mental condition of the child. If any genetic abnormalities are found, then this could be a possible cause for autism.
The third step is to determine if there are any behavioral problems that are affecting an autistic child’s development. This can be done by conducting a psychological evaluation on the child. If an autistic child shows signs of aggression or depression, these behaviors can affect his/her development as well.
The fourth step is to develop a treatment plan that can help in improving an autistic child’s development and make him/her independent from his/her parents.
How to communicate and interact for autistic people?
People with autism have a tough time communicating and interacting with others. They find it difficult to understand social cues and are often confused by the behavior of others. As a result, they may have trouble making friends or building relationships. Many people on the spectrum also have trouble expressing themselves verbally. For example, some may not talk at all, while others may speak very little or use words in strange ways. Some individuals on the spectrum might prefer to communicate through gestures instead of words.
Despite these challenges, there are many ways to improve communication and social interaction for people with autism.
Here are some tips:
-Use pictures and visual aids
-Be direct and clear when you communicate (and make sure your body language matches your words)
-Teach children about how their actions affect others
-Help kids feel comfortable in different environments by exposing them early on to various situations
-Encourage them to participate in activities where they can meet new people such as clubs or sports teams
Characteristics of Autism
People with autism typically have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. The most obvious sign of the condition is impaired social interactions. Other characteristics include:
– Unusual responses to people, attachments to objects, resistance to change in routine or surroundings
-Difficulty in expressing needs; acts as if deaf although hearing is normal
-No real fear of dangers
-Noticeable physical overactivity or extreme underactivity
-Uneven gross/fine motor skills
-Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if blind although sight is normal
-Uneven speech development; may be absent or delayed completely
-Aggressive or self-injurious behavior such as biting or head banging
Diagnosis of Autism in Children
Diagnosis of autism in children is a process that typically starts with observing a child’s behavior and considering whether or not he/she has any of the warning signs for the disorder. If there are concerns about autism, the child can be referred to a specialist for further testing. There are various tests that have been used to diagnose autism in children, though the most reliable is considered to be the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). This allows for ongoing interaction between the child and someone who is trained to identify specific behaviors associated with autism.
Diagnosis of Autism in Adults
Diagnosis of autism in adults can be difficult because it is hard to know if the symptoms are caused by autism, another disorder, or some other problem. Recently, research has begun to focus on adults who have known they were different from an early age but have never been diagnosed. Many of these people were diagnosed with mental retardation or psychosis in childhood, when autism was considered a childhood disorder that children outgrew.
The signs and symptoms of autism vary widely, as do its effects. Often the diagnosis is made when a child has trouble communicating and socializing with others. However, some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.
Education for autistic children and young people
Children and young people on the autistic spectrum can have a difficult time at school, often because they find it difficult to communicate with others. This can lead to challenging behaviour or increased stress, which may limit their learning.
The right education, health and social care services can help autistic children and young people get the best out of life and achieve their full potential.
Family support for autistic people
Decades of research show that people with autism experience greater quality of life outcomes when they have support from their family. From the child’s or adult’s perspective, this support is essential for many reasons. First, family members can provide unconditional love and acceptance, which boosts self-esteem and happiness. Second, parents and siblings can help autistic individuals to navigate social situations because they may have a better understanding of how the person perceives events and reacts to them. Third, since autistic people are more likely than others to be bullied or mistreated by peers, having strong familial relationships can be a source of comfort during difficult times. In addition to this protective factor, there’s also evidence suggesting that family support helps autistic people achieve positive outcomes such as maintaining contact with friends or pursuing education opportunities.
What is it exactly that makes family support so valuable? One theory hypothesizes that families provide specific types of help depending on their child’s needs—for example, helping to interpret social cues or providing transportation to school or work. Another theory suggests that families give an overall sense of belonging and stability that allows autistic individuals feel more confident in their ability to succeed in new situations.
No link between Autism and Immunisation?
There is no link between autism and immunisation, a new study has revealed.
The research was carried out by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth.
They analysed anonymous data from 4535 children aged seven-to-10 years old and found that immunisation had no effect on whether or not a child would develop an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The benefits of immunisation far outweigh any risk, lead researcher Professor Philip Ryan said. “We hope our study will reassure parents that childhood vaccines are safe for their children,” he said.
“The most important thing we need to do is protect children from vaccine preventable diseases in the community.”
Professor Ryan said the findings were consistent with an extensive body of scientific evidence showing that there is no causal link between vaccination and autism spectrum disorders.