Autism - Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is said to be a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

People with this disease have problems in learning, understanding what others feel and talk. This disease is a minor problem or disability that needs full time care for the patient.

Symptoms

Though the severity and range of the symptoms vary from patient to patient. Common symptoms for this disease includes: 

  • A lack of eye contact

  • A narrow range of interests

  • Doing  same work again and again,  repeating words or phrases, rocking back and forth, or flipping a lever

  • High sensitivity for sounds, touches, smells, or sights that seem ordinary to other people

  • Being not able to look at or listen to other people

  • Being not able to look at things when another person points at them.

  • Can not be held or cuddled properly

  • Problem in understanding or using speech, gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice

  • Talking in a sing-song, flat, or robotic voice

  • Trouble adapting to changes in routine

Causes

Exact reasons for this condition are not known, but mostly due to the genetic and environmental factors. 

  • Studies suggest that abnormalities are due to the disturbance of normal brain development early in fetal development that  are caused by defects in genes that regulate brain growth in the womb and how brain cells interact with each other. These people can also have decreased or abnormal levels of serotonin or other neuro-transmitter 

Diagnosis 

It is very difficult to diagnose this disease condition and can be identified by focus on behavior and development of the child. 

Treatment

Early diagnosis should be done to improve the child's ability to walk, talk, and to communicate better with others. Need for treatment mostly depends on the type of autism that child is been suffering from.

Therapies

Behavioral and communication therapies - This is often used in clinics and special schools to understand the behavior of the child and this approach can be used to improve a wide range of skills, and there are different types for different situations, including:

  • Discrete trial training (DTT) uses simple lessons and positive reinforcement for child. 

  • Pivotal response training (PRT) helps to develop motivation,  learn and communicate well. 

  • Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is best for children under age 5 with behavioral abnormalities.

  • Verbal behavior intervention (VBI) focuses on language skills.

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH) - This treatment uses visual cues like picture cards or flash cards that help child learn everyday skills like getting dressed.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) - This is a  visual-based treatment, that uses symbols instead of picture cards. Child learns to ask questions and communicate through special symbols by this therapy. 

Occupational therapy helps child to develop  daily life skills like feeding and dressing themselves, bathing, and understanding how to reach to other people. The skills learnt are meant to help them to live as independently as early as they can. 

Medication 

There is no proper medications for this disease. And studies reveal that medication is most effective when it’s combined with behavioral therapies.

  • Atypical antipsychotic called Risperidone is the only drugs used to treat this disease.

  • Doctors can recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, or stimulants based on the severity and disease conditions of the patient.

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