What Is Autism(ASD)?
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a group of complex brain development disorders and complicated conditions. It can also involve a wide range of symptoms and skills that includes problems with communication and behavior difficulties in social interaction that needs full-time care in a special facility.
Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then by the age of 2 years suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained.
What are the Symptoms?
Common symptoms of autism include:
- A lack of eye contact
- A narrow range of interests or intense interest in certain topics
- Doing something over and over, like repeating words or phrases, rocking back and forth, or flipping a lever
- High sensitivity to sounds, touches, smells, or sights that seem ordinary to other people
- Not looking at or listening to other people
- Not looking at things when another person points at them
- Not wanting to be held or cuddled
- Problems 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
- Some children with autism may also have seizures
What causes ASD?
Scientific evidence suggests that various factors, both genetic and environmental, contribute to the onset of autism spectrum disorders by influencing early brain development.
How to help children with an ASD?
Parents have an essential role in providing support to a child with an autism spectrum disorder. They can help to ensure access to health services and education, and offer nurturing and stimulating environments as their child grows up. Recently, it has been shown that parents can also help deliver psychosocial and behavioural treatments to their own children.
* All content published is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.