Autism

Autism girl

Last Updated December 20th, 2021

Overview of autism

People belonging to different age groups exhibit diverse social and behavioral patterns. Few are very interactive, while few prefer restricted social interaction. In few cases, the latter category is found to be segregated socially, mentally and behaviorally. They isolate themselves completely and hardly socialize. This section is often misjudged as introverts. This classification is not valid since it overlooks the underlying causes of the abnormal behavioral pattern. These types of aberrant social and behavioral traits collectively form the basis of “Autism”, a rare disorder of the body and mind. According to a recent survey by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 out of every 59 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

What is autism?

Autism girlAutism Spectrum Disorder or “Autism” is a chain of aberrant social and behavioral patterns observed in children, adolescents and adults.

It is characterized by the incapability to cope with one’s surroundings, despite repeated attempts by people around them. It is marked by cognitive impairments like the inability to learn, communicate and engage in normal activities.

In most cases, patients show repetitive and stereotyped behavior which become critical barriers to the physical and mental growth of the person.

 

What are the causes of autism?

Autism usually manifests itself within the first few years of childhood. The exact causes of autism can be determined only after careful observation of the patients and their specific symptoms. Detailed studies of a child’s social, environmental, physiological and genetic circumstances yield an insight into the root causes of autism. The most commonly investigated causes of autism are presented below-

  • Brain structure: Abnormalities in brain development during a child’s growth cause excessive synaptic connections between brain cells. This leads to impaired cognitive skills and often results in low IQ. Structural defects in cerebellum cause abnormalities in motor skills which indirectly affect the communication skills as well. Sometimes due to dysfunctions of the left lobe of the brain, neuropsychological functionalities are disrupted, which eventually leads to autistic features. Patients belonging to this category have also been diagnosed with missing links (fibrical connections) between left and right hemispheres of the brain. These are outcomes of a major defect in the corpus callosum, which is the main connector between the brain lobes.
  • Neurotransmitter abnormalities: In few cases, even after an individual attains adolescence, the concentration of serotonin in their blood platelets is high. This triggers abnormalities in serotonin metabolism and acts as a driving factor behind autism. This situation is often worsened by a drastic reduction of tryptophan in a person’s
  • Metabolism: Abnormally high levels of amino acids and organic acids, endorphins, acidic proteins and pyruvates in the body interfere with the metabolic cycle and stimulate autistic trends. Reduction in magnesium ion concentration in the body leads to magnesium deficiency in Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) and causes seizures, irritation to external stimuli and aloofness to incidents occurring in the environment.
  • Environment: Abnormal increase in the concentration of toxic agents in the environment, for example, mercury can trigger autism. These toxicities invade the body mainly through vaccines. Exposure to a widely used variety of insecticide namely- Chlorpyrifos triggers autism by reducing the count of neurons, which directly impacts intelligence.
  • Drugs: Intake of specific drugs such as Thalidomide and Misoprostol in the pre-natal stage might predispose the new-born to autism. Research findings reveal that a higher concentration of testosterone during the pregnancy period might lead to future inabilities related to social skills.
  • Congenital diseases: Infection due to the Rubella virus might pass from mother to the fetus in the pre-natal stage, causing “Congenital Rubella Syndrome” within first 8-9 weeks of fetal development. It adversely impacts the functioning of eyes, ears and the cardiac system.
  • Genetic factor: The primary genetic factor behind autism especially in males, is the fragile X chromosome, which leads to fragile X-syndrome. This syndrome stimulates major autistic symptoms like – anxiety, retardation, low IQ and abnormally enlarged body parts (in critical cases).

 

How can you tell if a person is autistic?

Autism boyThe autistic symptoms range from mild to severe. A  knowledge of the following manifestations of autism is essential for  quick identification and diagnosis:

  • Delay in speech and limited non-verbal interactions
  • Lack of eye contact
  • Apathy towards environmental happenings
  • Lack of communication with people of same age group
  • Inability to mimic acts
  • Unexplained anxiety
  • Repetitive acts manifested through hand gestures
  • Repulsive response to change in environment or any stimuli (such as touch, sound, smell, taste etc)
  • Inability to point at desired objects or respond appropriately when specific objects are pointed at.
  • Inability to share feelings or emotions
  • Aggressive attitude when someone tries to intrude into their personal territories
  • Limited imaginative powers
  • Delayed audio-visual development
  • Difficulty in learning
  • Sudden tantrums and self-abrasive behaviour
  • Incapability to perform ordinary tasks such as tying shoe-lace, bathing or catching a ball while playing

            

Types of autism

Autism manifests itself in the three major categories:

  • Classic autism: It is the most severe form of autism and is marked by conspicuous abnormalities in speech, social attitude and communication skills.
  • Asperger’s Syndrome: It is a form of autism characterized by excessively scrupulous nature and an obsessive adherence to restricted and repetitive activities.
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder: It involves a chain of disorders that delay the development of basic cognitive skills in childhood. It is closely related to Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and affects mental and physical growth of a child.

 

Managing Autism

Autism treatmentAutism cannot be cured. However, early and appropriate intervention can increase the likelihood of the development of considerable social communication skills along with functional and behavioral adeptness.The treatment plan for ASD depends on the severity of the disorder, symptoms, and the associated health conditions.

Some of the treatment options are as follows:

  • Communication and behavior rehabilitation– Certain programs are designed in order to address the various language, social and behavioral difficulties associated with the disorder. Some programs focus on teaching new skills and reducing problematic behaviors, while others teach the communication skills in social situations.
  • Awareness in the family- Parents, siblings, and the other family members can learn methods to interact with the child so as to develop his/her social interaction skills.
  • Educational therapies- These aim at improving social skills, communication and behavior.

A psychologist can address the problem behavior of the child. Therapies such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy can help in improving the overall behavior and communication skills and daily living of the child.

  • Medications– Medications mainly help to manage the symptoms of the condition. Antipsychotic drugs can be administered in some cases to treat behavioral problems. In case the child has anxiety issues, antidepressants may be prescribed. The child should also be educated about and taught to deal with the changes in the body during the transition to adulthood.

There are no methods devised to prevent autism.

 

 

Dos and Don'ts

Dos
  • Seek medical attention. Learn methods to manage the other health issues experienced by the child such as stomach problems, epilepsy, sleep disorders etc.
  • Learn more about the disorders. This will help you to understand the child and his/her attempts to communicate in a better manner. Do not blindly believe the myths and misconceptions regarding the condition.
  • Preserve records of the investigations, evaluations, and consultations with the various healthcare providers the child has undergone.
  • Act sensibly. Do not lose patience or get annoyed with the child’s behavior. Learn about methods to communicate with the child and motivate the child to be more expressive.
Don'ts
  • Neglect the problem behaviors of the child. Learn how to manage them.
  • Have nutritional deficiencies. Consult a registered dietician to formulate a healthy diet plan for your child. Restrictive diets can make the child susceptible to nutritional deficiencies.
  • Settle on complementary or alternative treatments such as Chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions as these might prove to be unsafe for the child.

 

 

 

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Barium Enema Barium enema is also known as colon x-ray. Here, the patient is asked to consume small amount of…
colposcopy
Colposcopy Colposcopy is a simple, quick and non- invasive diagnostic tool to look closely inside the vulva, vagina, and…
CEA_test
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test CEA or carcinoembryonic test detects the presence of CEA antigen in your blood mainly & determines the effectiveness…
vdrl test syphilis
VDRL Test The VDRL test is a blood test that is used to diagnose sexually transmitted or venereal diseases, primarily…
iron deficiency profile
Iron Deficiency Profile An iron deficiency profile is a battery of blood tests which are performed in order to determine the…
woman with abdominal pain holding ovulation calendar
Ovulation – facts to know about ovulation Learn how and when ovulation occurs, demystify common misconceptions, identify symptoms, methods of detection and right period for…
Jack in the box fast food
Jack In the Box : The perils of surging fast food culture in the USA Jack in the Box - How a culture of fast-food can clog your arteries, weaken your heart, fatten…
Astaxanthin: Why experts believe it could be 550x more potent than vitamin E! What is astaxanthin and why is this new supplement on the block touted as the most powerful antioxidant…
Experts reveal the safest ways to perform an enema at home The idea of pushing some up your rectal area might make you queasy but an enema could actually…
Tart Cherry: The healthiest excuse for taking that second serving of pie Tart cherry has been traditionally used in delectable desserts such as pies. Recent studies have revealed that its…
Gua sha: Scraping away layers of pain with this ancient healing tool Gua sha is an ancient oriental healing method which focuses on scraping the body with specific tools to…
Vagus nerve: 7 health benefits of stimulating the “gut-brain” connection As a matter of fact, there are two vagus nerves namely the left and the right but is…
Oxalates: How healthy greens can sometimes be bad news for your kidneys Oxalates are compounds present in a majority of healthy foods. However, at times an overconsumption of these could…
Urologist: When should you visit one and why? A urologist can treat not only genitourinary problems of both men and women but also can treat various…
The Cabbage Soup Diet: The healthiest way to instant weight loss Cabbage soup diet rapid weight loss diet for those who want to shed those extra pounds in less…
Balneotherapy jacuzzi
5 things you didn’t know about balneotherapy and how you can do it at home Sauna baths have been popular since a long time. But how much more beneficial can balneotherapy be as…
Bloodtestalbumin
Albumin Test Albumin test or blood serum test is a liver function test that measures the amount of the protein…
C-Reactive Protein Test A CRP or c-reactive protein blood test is an important diagnostic tool used to determine the risk of…
valproic acid test
Valproic Acid Test Valproic acid test is performed to generally check for psychiatric and even neurological conditions such as bipolar disease…
malarial antigen test
Malaria Antigen Test A malaria antigen test is a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that can detect malarial antigens (proteins) in your…
liver detox facts
7 liver detox facts and why ignoring these could kill you! Are you taking care of this organ that handles over 500 different vital functions in your body? Your…
aspartame or sugar
Aspartame – Hidden truths about this storm in a teacup Aspartame, the artificial sweetener, has gone under the scanner on several occasions for allegedly doing more harm than…
High Fiber Diet – Fire up your fiber intake for these health benefits! Regular bowels, healthy detox, higher immunity, and guaranteed weight loss - a high fiber diet can bring all…
CLA: A breakthrough weight loss supplement with minimal side effects Tried every weight loss supplement in the market with no substantial gain? Why not try CLA supplements, derived…
How can berberine supplements help you live longer and healthier? Berberine is a turmeric look-alike herbal extract that is credited with numerous health benefits ranging from diabetes cure…
Carb Cycling: Weighing the pros vs the cons of this diet routine Completely discarding carbs from your life will do you more harm than good. Read more about carb cycling,…
Appendix pain: Recent findings on this not-so vestigial organ The exact function of the appendix is still not clear. Some consider it as an organ that once…
ASTtest-liver
AST- Aspartate Aminotransferase Test AST test is a blood test that is used to measure the level of a particular liver enzyme…
Hysteroscopy_procedure
Hysteroscopy Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive tool to help specialists view the uterus to diagnose and even treat several…
ANTIPHOSPHOLIPIDANTIBODY(APL)_IgG
Antiphospholipid (APL) antibody-IgG The Antiphospholipid Antibody testing is a blood test used to determine an autoimmune disorder called Antiphospholipid syndrome linked…
amylase test
Amylase Test Amylase test is done by checking the level of this protein in the blood sample and also in…
sodium blood test
Blood Sodium Test A blood sodium test measures the amount of sodium (an important electrolyte) in your body. It is also…
leptospira Igm test
Leptospira-IgM Test A Leptospira-IgM test is a blood test which is carried out to detect anti-Leptospira IgM antibody. Leptospirosis is…
shoudler exercises
Keep your shoulders pain-free with these shoulder exercises Shoulder exercises are important in order to prevent chronic back and neck pain. Learn more about how you…
alcohol toxic
7 startling facts that will make you quit alcohol today Does drinking really make you friendly and happy? How many calories does a can of cold beer add…
dance health benefits
5 unbelievable effects of dance on your overall health! You enjoy dancing, but did you know what else it does to your body? Dancing is not only…
oral hygiene tips
6 shocking consequences of bad oral hygiene (and how to avoid them) Did you know bad breath is not just turning off, but also harms your body in ways you…
Drinking water benefits
8 reasons why you should grab a bottle of water now! Did you know you don't have to be thirsty for hours to be dehydrated?You could be dehydrated right…
ginger benefits healthy
Ginger: Why is it called the root of all remedies? Be it in form of tea or juice, ginger has a lot to offer when it comes to…
Is it possible to achieve full body detox with Master Cleanse? Master cleanse is a diet consisting of a lemonade based beverage, a salt water drink and a herbal…
How accurate is the hair follicle drug test? Hair follicle drug test is one of the best ways to identify drug use in professional circles. But…
lipase test
Lipase Test A lipase test is a blood test performed to quantitatively measure the level of the enzyme lipase in…
Okra: How can this nutrient-dense vegetable help you fight diabetes? Okra is a food which is rich in nutrients and minerals which are extremely essential for a healthy…
kshar sutra
Kshar sutra treatment for piles, fissures and fistula Read to know the benefits and side effects of kshar sutra to treat anal piles, fissures, and fistula…
lose weight fast
12 easy and instant steps to successful weight loss Do you want to lose weight without losing your mind? Does weight loss always mean saying goodbye to…
yoga health benefits
How to practice yoga for astounding health benefits Can a 5000-year-old system be the ultimate body healer? Did you know yoga can make you smarter and…

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