Autism spectrum disorder explained.

18 million Indians have autism: It is the 3rd most common developmental disorder1 to 1.5 per cent of children aged two to nine years are diagnosed with ASD.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, behaviour, and communication. Autistic individuals vary widely in their strengths and need for support. For this reason, people often refer to autism as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is not a disease, but it can have a significant impact on a person’s life.

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Early signs of this disorder can be noticed by parents/caregivers or paediatricians before a child reaches one year of age. However, symptoms typically become more consistently visible by the time a child is 2 or 3 years old.

Social communication deficits may include:

• Decreased sharing of interests with others

• Difficulty appreciating their own & others' emotions

• Aversion to maintaining eye contact

• Lack of proficiency with use of non-verbal gestures

• Difficulty making friends or keeping them

Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors may include:

• Inflexibility of behavior, extreme difficulty coping with change

• Difficulty tolerating changes in routine and new experiences

• Sensory hypersensitivity, e.g., aversion to loud noises

• Stereotypical movements such as hand flapping, rocking, spinning

• Arranging things, often toys, in a very particular manner

Risk factors-

• The current science suggests that several genetic factors may increase the risk of autism in a complex manner.

• Having certain specific genetic conditions such as Fragile X Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis has been identified as conferring a particularly increased risk for being diagnosed with autism.

• Certain medications, such as valproic acid and thalidomide, when taken during pregnancy, have been linked with a higher risk of autism as well.

• Having a sibling with autism also increases the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with autism.

• Parents being older at the time of pregnancy is additionally linked with greater risk of autism.

Much less often, other things that may cause ASD include:

• Being exposed to toxins in the environment before or after birth

• Severe infections such as meningitis or encephalitis that result in brain damage

• Problems during delivery

• Infections before birth

Screening tests to diagnose Autism spectrum disorder.

• Nervous system exam

• Imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI, or PET scan

• Mental health tests

• Genetic tests to look for gene problems that cause ASD or other developmental disorders

Treatment for ASD includes:

Each child with ASD needs their own special treatment program. This is because children with ASD can vary a lot in how much help they need. Programs that work best are those that are started as early as possible and include the parents.

• Behavior change programs. These programs teach social skills, movement skills, and thinking (cognitive) skills. They can help a child change problem behavior.

• Special education programs. These focus on social skills, speech, language, self-care, and job skills.

• Medicine. Some children need medicine to help treat some of the symptoms of ASD.