Autism spectrum disorder is a Neuro developmental disorder which causes repetitive behaviors as well as impairment in socio communications.
The main characteristics of autism include developmental delays, communication problems, inappropriate social skills, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems which mostly range from mild to severe. Childhood autism and its signs can be seen between the age range 2 to 3, but they may appear earlier in some children.
They may also have issues in perceiving and integrating sensation which makes some senses hypo sensitive, seeking and others as hypersensitive. If a child is hyper sensitive in particular sensory system, which make the child having a lower threshold towards that particular sensory stimulus and thereby child react aggressively towards mild input of such sensation. A juvenile pulls off his hands from lite touch and hold ears while in case of sound are the perfect examples of hyper sensitive reactions. On the contrary child needs continued sensory stimulus in case of hypo sensitivity as the threshold is very high. Even though it is higher in sensory seeking cases, one thing to be noted is that child will do actions repeatedly to get the effect of that particular sensation.
The causes for autism are both genetic and environmental in which genetic reason includes defective formation of brain during the early developmental period and environmental factors are still on debate.
The most effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder is to identify them at a young age and start intervention as early as possible. This gives the potential to improve and grow in the domains which these children lack.
Without suitable support system at a young age these children may find it difficult as they grow to be independent young adults.
Best Autism treatment plan means to have an early intervention which aims to produce improvements in communication, behavior, and cognitive abilities in young children by seeking professional help from different disciplines like Neuro developmental Pediatrician, Occupational therapist , Speech Therapist, Psychologist , Behavioral therapist and Dietician.
Therapies are the treatment modalities for ASD which help the juveniles to perceive the senses more appropriate ways. Occupational therapy has a greater role for autistic juveniles they help the children to modulate sensations through integrated activities.
There are many symptoms of autism but not shows in all case. Symptoms seen from very few to many in accordance with the increased severity.
The symptoms related to social impairment and communication includes inconsistent eye contact (in some cases no eye contact at all), poor response to calling name, appears to deaf eventhough having good hearing abilities, not interacting with children of same age as well as anyone, Expressing needs through touching the objects and difficulty in fathom of others expression.
Echolalia (repetition of phrases without meaning) is another commonly seen symptom related to communication in ASD. They cannot able to produce words or express it properly, so that they repeat phrases that they heard in the past. Once child able to create productive speech then it will reduce, also we can direct echolalic speech into a productive one and bring out meanings into the conversation. Speech therapist could deal with the communication issues and make a change in monotonous speech patterns as well as the other speech related issues.
The repetitive behaviors and other behavioral issues generated usually when the child is getting exited or anxious or not engaging. This generally includes hand flapping, finger fidgeting, preoccupied with parts of toys, always lining objects, staring at the fan, seeking touching and smelling experiences of different types of objects and spinning. These all characteistic features may not be present at the beginning but may arise with time.
Treatment for ADS is truly individual based and wherefore, handling from one to another always varies. Since sensory integration is child driven and based on child’s interests different young ones react differently to same activity. In case of behavioral modifications child could adapt and practice more socially acceptable behavior with the help of therapist.
All the treatment modalities help child to plummet his symptoms and could provide near normal life experience by making the person independent in his daily living activities.
If the autism spectrum disorder left untreated it will have a detrimental effect on that person’s life make him dependent on others. Additionally there are higher chances for the appearance of new symptoms which were absent before that eventually worsen the situation. With time aggressive behaviors may increase with time because of the lack of channeling methods to relieve the anxiety and the lack of proper understanding.
