Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication skills, and restricted and repetitive behaviours 1Faras, H., Al Ateeqi, N., & Tidmarsh, L. (2010). Autism spectrum disorders. US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931781/.. It is a developmental disability and is a lifelong issue that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with others2Autism Spectrum Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd.. It varies in severity, and some people who have autism can live relatively independently while others may need more support.
Autism is different from other developmental disabilities because it has its features, causes, and challenges. For example, there are no universally accepted ways to diagnose autism, which means some children will not get the treatment they need. There are also many misconceptions about autism that can lead to isolation from friends and family members, increased anxiety for autistic people and their caregivers, and limited access to appropriate resources for autistic adults.
Causes of Autism
Many factors, including genetic mutations, can cause autism during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to certain chemicals or drugs, birth complications, or infections that a baby may have acquired while in the mother’s womb3Prenatal Risk Factors for Autism: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis. US National Library of Medicine. (2013). Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3712619/.. It can also be caused by environmental factors which affect brain growth4Padideh, K., Elahe, K., Seyyed, M., & Mojgan, K. (2017). Environmental factors influencing the risk of autism. US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5377970/..
Autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age. It is four times more common in boys than girls5Basics About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html.. Understanding how many people are afflicted by this disorder is difficult because autism tends to go unrecognized or misdiagnosed. It is found that 1 in 68 children has autism, while others estimate it to be as high as 1 in 406Wright, J. (2017). The Real Reasons Autism Rates Are Up in the U.S.. Scientific American. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reasons-autism-rates-are-up-in-the-u-s/..
Genetics play a role in autism. One of the genes that may be associated with ASD is a brain-expanding gene called CNTNAP. This gene is responsible for the structure and function of the brain, and it has been linked to social and communication problems in children. Another gene, called SHANK3, may be related to social interaction. Both of these genes are found in the human chromosome 15q11-q13, which is one of the regions of the human genome where researchers have found an increased risk of ASD7Synaptic proteins and receptors defects in autism spectrum disorders. US National Library of Medicine. (2014). Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161164/.. The risk of developing ASD is 50 times higher in a child whose parent has ASD than in a child whose parent does not have ASD. And there is a high incidence of ASD among children of parents with a history of schizophrenia8Autism Statistics and Facts | Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-statistics-asd..
Environmental factors can also contribute to the development of ASD. Researchers have found a link between a mother’s exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and the risk of ASD in her child. Maternal obesity or diabetes can increase the risk of ASD in a child. Studies have also shown that maternal infection and certain medications taken during pregnancy may lead to autism9Emberti Gialloreti, L., Mazzone, L., Benvenuto, A., Fasano, A., Alcon, A. G., Kraneveld, A., Moavero, R., Raz, R., Riccio, M. P., Siracusano, M., Zachor, D. A., Marini, M., & Curatolo, P. (2019). Risk and Protective Environmental Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-Based Principles and Recommendations. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(2), 217. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020217.
Types of Autism and The Symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests.
Social Communication Disorder (SCD) affects people’s ability to make and understand eye contact, share feelings, and engage in conversations. As a result, people with this disorder have problems with social interactions, affecting their quality of life and leading to isolation.
Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autism. It affects people’s ability to relate to others and have complex social behaviours. However, people with Asperger syndrome can communicate with others and have normal language development.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a category used when it is unclear if the person has ASD or another disorder that affects social development. People with PDD-NOS typically show impairments in social interaction and communication, but there are fewer behavioural issues than other types of ASD.
Treatment of autism
There is no known cure for autism, but there are treatments that help relieve some of the symptoms. People with autism and their caregivers should receive support from medical professionals, psychologists, and social workers. Treatment aims to help children with autism develop into healthy adults who can live independently, have satisfying relationships, and achieve their full potential.
The most common treatments for autism are based on behaviour therapy. Behavioural therapies are techniques used to modify behaviours. They can be effective in treating autism. A study done by the University of California showed that it was more effective than a placebo10LeClerc, S., & Easley, D. (2015). Pharmacological therapies for autism spectrum disorder: a review. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management, 40(6), 389–397..
A type of behaviour therapy called Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is the most widely used treatment for autism. The key to this approach is helping a person with ASD learn to control their behaviours in different situations. ABA is a highly structured approach that focuses on teaching skills through practice.
Another common behavioural therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It helps patients with autism understand the way they think and respond to situations. It helps them to identify and change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to get control over their lives.
Social skills training can help improve social interactions. For example, it teaches people with ASD how to make eye contact, smile at people, use body language appropriately, and act in socially appropriate ways.
Communication skills training helps individuals to learn what to say and how to say it. In a study done by the University of California, participants were taught to match words with actions to increase their communication effectiveness 11DeWeerdt, S. (2013). Study of nonverbal autism must go beyond words, experts say | Spectrum | Autism Research News. Spectrum | Autism Research News. Retrieved 23 November 2021, from https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/study-of-nonverbal-autism-must-go-beyond-words-experts-say/..
Educational therapies teach children with autism to function in school and develop social skills. They also help people with ASD learn to communicate with others.
Occupational therapies help people with ASD engage in daily activities. They teach them new skills or ways of doing things so that they can function more effectively.
Medical treatments also help to alleviate behaviours that can be difficult to manage, such as aggression and self-injury. Some medications are used to reduce irritability and improve sleep, concentration, and mood. These medications include clonidine, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and stimulants. They can be used to treat aggression, anxiety, depression, and seizures. Psychiatric medications are usually not recommended for children under the age of six due to possible side effects. However, some may be used if other treatments have been unsuccessful.
In Conclusion
Autism is not a disease or disorder. It is a spectrum of conditions affecting behaviour, social interaction, and communication skills. Many people with autism are highly intelligent and can perform at high levels in many areas of life.
Though there is no cure for autism, treatments are available to help people with autism learn how to cope and function. Early Intervention is one of the most important steps a parent can take to improve their child’s development and have a much greater chance of success later in life.
If you think you or your child are showing signs of autism, you should consult a clinical psychologist.
