WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AUTISM.
Written by RHODA ODURA.
Autism is a neurological or brain disorder that affects the ability to socialize and solve problems.Autism also is the removal from social engagement and communication leaving them in isolation.
It affects their language and communication. A few disorders associated with Autism includes; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Schizophrenia, Intellectual and Learning disability and Rett syndrome.
The disorder indicates social communication and restricted, repetitive behavior which ranges from mild to severe hence the word “ spectrum”.
About 1 in 88 people are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder where the risk is higher in males as 1 out of 54 are diagnosed on the Autism spectrum.
The cause of Autism is unknown however it has a genetic pattern.The causes of Autism can be grouped into organic and psychological factors as well as biological and genetic factors.While others believe it is hereditary or natural it is inconclusive and not much is known.
THE SIGNS OF AUTISM
Nowadays, Autism can be described in different grades depending on the support the autistic person needs to carry out day to day activities.Here are few signs that indicates Autism in both Adults and children
1.Hyperfixations or Monomania: In this case,the child shifts from one intense interest to another.Monomania, unlike passion, is short-lived.
2.Verbal mimicry or echolalia: when the child repeats the same phrase over and over again for days or even weeks
3.Repetitive movements: This may look like an arm flapping or floundering when excited or moving back and forth in a chair.
Arm flapping in a short period is fine and repetition shows a sign of autism.
4.Lining of toys: Autistic people tend to line up toys in order of preference to a more orderly and sophisticated world,when it happens nearly every single time,it could definitely be a sign of autism
5.Solitary play: They prefer to be alone even in the preference of others.They are less likely to use their toys or other objects to represent real life.
6.Dysprosody: They rarely show any facial expressions at the appropriate moment,they may laugh at the wrong moments.
Dislike for physical affection:It is difficult to find out why as it may not occur to autistic people as the right thing to do such as hugging or kissing and make little to no eye contact.
There are some curious facts about about worth knowing;
It is more prevalent in Boys than girls because the female brain is more tolerant to genetic mutations and can generate a protection against the development of Autism.
Autism in girls increases epileptic events.
Autism spectrum disorder delays brain connection to synapsis.
THE HISTORY OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
The first time that Autism was specifically addressed was in 1908,where the term”autistic”was used to classify schizophrenic patients who are severely withdrawn,this set a trend where in 1940 a lot of people were diagnosed as autistic.
In 1924,Jarunya Moskaleva sukareva, a Russian childhood psychologist published six reports she described as having “schizophrenia in children” which was the first schizophrenic thorough studies and proposed a system for the disorder.
In 1943,a psychiatrist named Leo Kanner published a study that disclosed eleven cases of children isolation from the early stages of life and obsessive behavior to repeat actions.He observed that those children presented Monomania mannerism and those aspects that are not used in communications such as the inversion of pronouns and the urge to echo.In the following year,new study was published in Germany by doctor Hans Asperger where he revealed how boys mainly are affected by it and present loner empathy and intense focus.This study was left aside as a result of the second world war.
In 1952,The American Psychiatrist Association published the first edition of the Diagnostic And Statistical Guide of mental health DSM-1 referencing autism as a childhood schizophrenia subgroup.And 26 years later, Michael Rutter,a psychiatrist categorized Autism as a disorder of cognitive development.And in1980,this new research entered the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of intellectual and developmental disorder (I.D.D) and finally in 1981,the psychiatrist Lorna wing developed the concept of autism and phrased the term “Asperger syndrome”.Her work transformed how people saw autism,she influenced the world as a researcher and clinician and also a mother of an autistic child,since then a lot has changed and today June 18 we celebrate”Autistic Pride Day”.
There is no cure for the neurological disorder, however there are treatments that can be followed.
Behavioral Intervention Therapy has the best effectiveness of psychological treatment as it is personalized and interdisciplinary apart from psychology,in this case,patients can benefit from speech therapy according to each autistic person's needs.
At school,a mediator is important to mediate social interaction.Some symptoms such as irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity,inattentiveness,insomnia can be treated with medication from a doctor.
Interaction with children of the same age group provides social contexts that allow exchange of ideas and to live less solitary.It also allows them to initiate conversations and build friendships.
Parents should be oriented on ASD programs in order to be educated on their child behavior and challenges.
Speech-language pathology:this helps the autistic individual to have an understanding of language and build communication skills.It helps the day to day living easier and have good sensory scrutiny.There is also stuttering therapy for people with fluency disorders and speech coaching.
Remember,each individual with autism is unique and treatment plans should be tailored to their specific needs and goals.Just because someone is different doesn't mean they should be abused into being the same as other people.Autism is a natural variation rather than a disease to be cured.It is an Identity.
