Description

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separately, autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome", is generally thought to be the mild end of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society — socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then going through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age, when they develop the symptoms of autism.

Although there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Symptoms

Some children show signs of autism spectrum disorder in early childhood, such as reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they have already acquired. The symptoms are usually seen by the age of 2 years.

Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and the level of severity of low functioning to high functioning.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder have learning difficulties, and some signs of lower than normal intelligence. Other children with the disorder of normal to high intelligence quickly learns, however, have communication problems and apply what they know in everyday life and to adapt to social situations.

Due to the unique combination of symptoms in each child, the severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. Is generally based on the level of impairments and their impact on the ability to function.

Below are some of the common signs shown by people who have an autism spectrum disorder.

Communication and Social interaction

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including experience any of these symptoms:

  • Do not answer to her name or appears not to hear sometimes
  • Resists cuddling and holding and seems to prefer to play alone, to withdraw into your own world
  • Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
  • Doesn't speak or has delayed speech, or loses its previous ability to say words or sentences
  • You can not start a conversation or keep one of them, or just start one to make requests or label items
  • Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm, and you can use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
  • Repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them
  • Do not appear to understand simple questions or directions
  • Not to express emotions or feelings and appears unaware of others ' feelings
  • Do not point or bring objects to share interest
  • Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive
  • You have difficulty recognizing non-verbal cues, such as the interpretation of other people, facial expressions, body postures, or the tone of voice

Patterns of behavior

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, including any of these symptoms:

  • Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
  • Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging
  • Develops routines or specific rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
  • You have problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walk on the toes of the feet, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language
  • Is fascinated by the details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but do not understand the overall purpose or function of the object
  • It is extraordinarily sensitive to light, sound, or touch, however, can be indifferent to pain or temperature
  • Do not participate in the imitation or to play with the imagination
  • Fixed its attention on an object or activity is abnormal in intensity or focus
  • Has their own preferences in food, such as eating only a few foods, or of the refusal of foods with a certain texture

As they mature, some children with autism spectrum disorder become more engaged with others and show a lower number of alterations in the behavior. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, it can eventually lead normal or near-normal life. Others, however, continue to have difficulty with language or social skills, and the teen years can bring worst behavioral and emotional problems.

When to see a doctor

Babies develop at their own pace, and many do not follow exact timelines found in some parenting books. But children with autism spectrum disorder tend to show some signs of delayed development before the age of 2 years.

If you are concerned about your child's development or you suspect that your child may have an autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Symptoms associated with the disorder may also be associated with other developmental disorders.

Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there is evidence that delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child:

  • Does not respond with a smile or an expression of happiness by 6 months
  • Do not imitate sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
  • Does not babble or coo by 12 months
  • Not in gestures such as point or wave — 14 months
  • Does not say single words by 16 months
  • Doesn't play "make believe" or fake it for 18 months
  • It does not say two-word phrases by 24 months
  • Lost language skills or social skills at any age

Causes

Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disease, and the fact that the symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

  • Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder, may be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, the genetic changes (mutations) can increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect the development of the brain or of the way in which brain cells communicate with, or may determine the severity of the symptoms. Some genetic mutations appear to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously.
  • The environmental factors. The researchers are currently studying the possibility that factors such as viral infections, medications, or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in the onset of autism spectrum disorders.

There is No link between vaccines and autism

One of the biggest controversies in autism spectrum disorder focuses on whether there is a relationship between the disease and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism and vaccines. In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been removed due to a poor design and questionable research methods.

Avoiding childhood vaccines can be placed to your child and others at risk of contracting and spreading serious diseases, such as pertussis (whooping cough, measles or mumps.

Risk factors

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is increasing. It is not clear if this is due to better detection and reporting or a real increase in the number of cases, or both.

Autism spectrum disorder that affects children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child's risk. These may include:

  • Your child's sex. The boys are four times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than girls are.
  • The history of the family. Families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder have a higher risk of having another child with the disorder. In addition it is not uncommon for the parents or relatives of a child with autism spectrum disorder to have minor problems with social or communication skills in themselves or to engage in certain behaviors that are typical of the disease.
  • Other disorders. Children with certain medical conditions have a higher than normal risk of autism spectrum disorder or autism-like symptoms. Examples include fragile X syndrome, an inherited disorder that causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis, a disease in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a genetic disease that occurs almost exclusively in girls, which causes the slowing of head growth, intellectual disability, and loss of purposeful hand use.
  • Extremely preterm babies. Babies who are born before 26 weeks of gestation may have an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
  • The parents' ages. There may be a connection between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but more research is needed to establish this link.

Complications

Problems with social interactions, communication, and behavior can lead to:

  • Trouble in school and with the success of the learning
  • The problems of employment
  • Inability to live independently
  • Social isolation
  • The stress within the family
  • Victimization and harassment

Prevention

There is no way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, but there are treatment options. The early diagnosis and intervention is more useful, and may improve the performance, skills, and language development. However, the intervention is useful at any age. Although children usually do not exceed the autism spectrum disorder symptoms, they can learn to function well.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will look for signs of developmental delays at regular checkups. If your child has any of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, it is likely that you will have to be referred to a specialist who treats children with autism spectrum disorder, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, or developmental pediatrician, for an evaluation.

Due to the autism spectrum disorder varies widely in symptoms and severity, making a diagnosis can be difficult. There is not a specific form of medical evidence to determine the disorder. In its place, a specialist can:

  • Observe your child and ask how your child in social interaction, communication skills and behavior have developed and changed over time
  • Give your child the tests covering the hearing, speech, language, and level of social development and behavioral problems
  • This structured social and communication interactions with their child and the score of the performance
  • The use of the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American psychiatric Association
  • Include other specialists in the determination of a diagnosis
  • Recommend genetic testing to identify if your child has a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome

Treatment

There is No cure for autism spectrum disorder, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. The goal of treatment is to maximize your child's ability to function through the reduction of autism spectrum disorders, symptoms and support development and learning. Early intervention during the preschool years can help your child to learn critical social, communication, functional and behavioural skills.

The range of home-based and school-based treatments and interventions for autism spectrum disorders can be overwhelming, and your child's needs can change over time. Your health care provider may recommend options and help identify resources in your area.

If your child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, talk with experts about the creation of a treatment strategy and build a team of professionals to meet the needs of your child.

Treatment options may include:

  • The behavior and communication therapies. Many of the programs of the direction of the wide range of social issues, language, and behavior problems associated with autism spectrum disorder. Some programs focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills. Other programs focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or to communicate better with others. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) can help children to learn new skills, and to generalize these skills to multiple situations through a reward-based motivation system.
  • Educational therapies. Children with autism spectrum disorder often respond well to highly structured educational programs. The success of the programmes often include a team of specialists and a variety of activities to improve social skills, communication and behavior. Preschool children who receive intensive, individualized behavioral interventions often show good progress.
  • Family therapies. Parents and other family members can learn to play and interact with their children in ways that promote social interaction skills, manage problem behaviors, and to teach skills for daily living and communication.
  • Other therapies. Depending on the needs of your child, speech therapy to improve communication skills, occupational therapy to teach activities of daily living, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance can be beneficial. A psychologist may recommend ways to address the problems of behavior.
  • Drugs. No medication can improve the core signs of autism spectrum disorder, but medicines can help control the symptoms. For example, certain medications may be prescribed if your child is hyperactive; antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems; and antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety. Keep all of your health care providers up-to-date on all of the medications or supplements your child is taking. Some medications and supplements can interact, causing dangerous side effects.

The management of other medical and mental health

In addition to autism spectrum disorders, children, adolescents and adults may also experience:

  • Doctor of health problems. Children with autism spectrum disorder may also have medical problems, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, limited food preferences or stomach problems. Ask your child's doctor how to best manage these conditions together.
  • Problems with the transition to adulthood. Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty understanding the changes in your body. Also, the social situation is becoming more complex in adolescence, and can't be less tolerance of individual differences. Behavior problems can be difficult during the years of adolescence.
  • Other mental health disorders. Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder often experience other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Your doctor, mental health professional, and community advocacy and service organizations may offer help.

Planning for the future

Children with autism spectrum disorder tend to continue to learn and compensate for the problems of life, but most will require a certain level of support. Planning to your child's future opportunities, such as employment, the university, the situation of life, independence, and the services necessary for the support you can make this process more smooth.

Alternative medicine

Due to the autism spectrum disorder cannot be cured, many parents seek alternative or complementary therapies, but these treatments have little or no research to show that they are effective. You can inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors. And some of the alternative treatments are potentially dangerous.

Talk with your child's doctor about the scientific evidence of any therapy that you're considering for your child.

Examples of complementary and alternative therapies that may offer some benefit when used in combination with evidence-based treatments are:

  • Creative therapies. Some parents choose to supplement the education and medical intervention with the art therapy or music therapy, which focuses on reducing a child's sensitivity to touch or sound. These therapies can offer some benefits when used in conjunction with other treatments.
  • Sensory-based therapies. These therapies are based on the theory is not proven that people with autism spectrum disorder have a sensory processing disorder that causes problems tolerating or processing sensory information, such as touch, balance and hearing. Therapists use brushes, squeeze toys, trampolines and other materials to stimulate these senses. Research has not shown these therapies to be effective, but it is possible that it may offer some benefit when used in conjunction with other treatments.
  • The massage. While massage can be relaxing, there is not enough evidence to determine if it improves the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
  • The pet or horse therapy. Pets can provide companionship and recreation, but more research is needed to determine if the interaction with the animals improves the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.

Some complementary and alternative therapies may not be harmful, but there is no evidence that they are useful. Some also include a financial cost and be difficult to implement. Examples of these therapies include:

  • Special diets. There is No evidence that special diets are an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder. And for growth in children, restrictive diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies. If you decide to follow a restrictive diet, work with a registered dietitian to create a suitable meal plan for your child.
  • Supplements of vitamins and probiotics. Although not harmful when used in normal amounts, there is no evidence that they are beneficial for the autism spectrum disorder symptoms, and supplements can be expensive. Talk with your doctor about the vitamins and other supplements, and the appropriate dose for your child.
  • Acupuncture. This therapy has been used with the goal of improving autism spectrum disorder symptoms, but the efficacy of acupuncture is not supported by research.

Some complementary and alternative treatments have no evidence that they are beneficial and are potentially dangerous. Examples of complementary and alternative treatments that are not recommended for the autism spectrum disorder include:

  • The chelation therapy. This treatment to remove mercury and other heavy metals from the body, but there is no known association with autism spectrum disorder. Chelation therapy for autism spectrum disorder is not supported by research evidence and can be very dangerous. In some cases, children treated with chelation therapy have died.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen is a treatment that involves breathing oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This treatment has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder symptoms and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use.
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions. There is no evidence that the use of IVIG infusions improved the autism spectrum disorder, and the FDA has not approved the use of immunoglobulin products for this use.

Coping and support

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. These suggestions can help:

  • To find a team of trusted professionals. A team coordinated by the doctor, you can include social workers, teachers, therapists, and a case manager or service coordinator. These professionals can help to identify and evaluate resources in your area and explain the financial services and state and federal programs for children and adults with disabilities.
  • Keep records of the visits with providers of services. Your child may have visits, evaluations and meetings with many people involved in your care. Keep a file organized these meetings and reports to help you decide on the treatment options, and monitor the progress.
  • Learn about the disorder. There are many myths and misconceptions about autism spectrum disorder. The knowledge of the truth can help us to better understand your child and their communication attempts.
  • Take time for yourself and other members of the family. Care of a child with autism spectrum disorder can put a strain on their personal relationships and his family. To avoid burnout, take some time to relax, exercise, or enjoy your favorite activities. Try to schedule one-on-one time with your other children, and the plan date nights with your spouse or partner — even if it's just watching a movie together after the kids go to bed.
  • Search for other families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Other families struggling with the challenges of autism spectrum disorder may have useful advice. Some communities have support groups for parents and siblings of children with the disorder.
  • Ask your doctor about new technologies and therapies. Researchers continue to explore new approaches to help children with autism spectrum disorder. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site for autism spectrum disorders of useful materials and links to resources.

Preparing for your appointment

Your child's health care provider will look for the problems of development in the regular check-ups. The mention of any concerns you may have during your appointment. If your child shows signs of autism spectrum disorder, it is likely that you will have to be referred to a specialist who treats children with the disorder for an evaluation.

A family member or a friend with you to the appointment, if possible, to help you remember information and emotional support.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your child's appointment, make a list of:

  • Medications, including vitamins, herbal and over-the-counter medications your child is taking, and its dose.
  • Any concerns you have about your child's development and behavior.
  • When his son began to talk, and to reach their development goals. If your child has siblings, they may also share information about when they reached their milestones.
  • A description of the way in which your child plays and interacts with other children, siblings and parents.
  • Questions to ask your doctor to make the most of your time.

In addition, it may be useful for:

  • Notes from the observations of other adults and caregivers such as babysitters, family members and teachers. If your child has been evaluated by other health professionals or of an intervention or program of the school, to bring to this evaluation.
  • A record of the milestones of the development of your child, such as a baby book or baby calendar, if you have one.
  • A video of their child's unusual behaviors or movements, if you have one.

Questions to ask your child's doctor may include:

  • Why do you think that my child does (or does not) have an autism spectrum disorder?
  • Is there a way to confirm the diagnosis?
  • If my child has an autism spectrum disorder, there is a way to know how serious is it?
  • What changes can I expect to see my child over time?
  • What kind of special therapies or care of children with autism spectrum disorder need?
  • How much and what type of regular medical care will my child need?
  • What kind of assistance is available to families of children with autism spectrum disorder?
  • How can I learn more about autism spectrum disorder?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your child's doctor

Your child's doctor is likely to ask a series of questions. Be prepared to answer to reserve a time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:

  • What specific behaviors reason for your visit today?
  • When did you first notice these symptoms in your child? Have others noticed signs?
  • Have these behaviors been continuous or occasional?
  • Does your child have any of the other symptoms that may seem unrelated to autism spectrum disorder, such as stomach problems?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms of your child?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • When he made his first child crawl? Walk away? Say your first word?
  • What are some of your child's favorite activities?
  • How does your child interact with you, brothers and other children? Does your child show interest in others, make eye contact, smile, or you want to play with others?
  • Does your child have a family history of autism spectrum disorder, language delay, Rett syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or anxiety, or other mood disorders?
  • What is your child's education plan? What services he or she receives through the school?
Symptoms and treatment of disorders of the Autism spectrum