What is Autism: Causes and Symptoms?

What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. It may range from mild to severe conditions. It is difficult to diagnose in the initial period of life upto 2 years.

Parents start noticing changes such as awkward social interactions, non-responsive behaviour along with losing that little amount of speech. Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development.

ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination, attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

What causes Autism?

Most cases of autism appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development.

What are the symptoms of Autism?

• Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors
• Having overly focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects
• Having a lasting, intense interest in certain topics, such as numbers, details, or facts.
• Getting upset by a slight change in a routine or being placed in a new or overly stimulating setting
• Making little or inconsistent eye contact
• Having a tendency to look at and listen to other people less often
• Responding in an unusual way when others show anger, distress, or affection
• Failing to, or being slow to, respond to someone calling their name or other verbal attempts to gain attention
• Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversations
• Often talking at length about a favorite subject without noticing that others are not interested or without giving others a chance to respond
• Repeating words or phrases that they hear, a behavior called echolalia
• Using words that seem odd, out of place, or have a special meaning known only to those familiar with that person’s way of communicating
• Having facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said
• Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like
• Having trouble understanding another person’s point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people’s actions.
• Extraordinary sensitiveness to light, noise, clothing, or temperature. They may also experience sleep problems, digestion problems, and irritability.

How can you differentiate between ADHD & hyperactive kid?

• Any difficulty in processing information.
• Any difficulty in regulating emotions
• Does the kid struggle with issues like organizing, planning, prioritizing, paying attention and remembering details.
• Any difficulty in taking judgments.
• Any difficulty in concentration.
• Age appropriate immaturity

Read: What is ADHD and its causes?

How can Parents help their children?

• Constantly engage with the child.
• Never leave your child alone as this prevents them from learning new things.
• Constantly stimulate the child by talking, playing, dancing, etc
• Avoid all gadgets like phone, tabs, etc.
• As parents your first priority is your child’s health. So ensure that one of the parent is always around to take care and not allow them to slip to her own world of tabs or phones.
• Invite more people to home, this again gives them a chance to interact, play and learn new things.
• Do not focus only on speech, overall stimulation is very important.
• Take your child to parks or social gatherings so that she learns how to socialise and socialising behaviours and mannerisms. This whole exercise is aimed at training the mind to be constantly connected with the outer world so that she can passively learn things.

Read: How homeoapthy can help in managing autism

Read: How Yoga helped a child manage ADHD