Understanding Autism

 Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a mental health condition that causes problems with behavior and communication. It can involve a wide range of symptoms and the extent of the symptoms vary in every case. A person who has ASD may require full-time professional care, or they may not even notice its symptoms in some cases.

People with autism have trouble with communication. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel. This makes it hard for them to express themselves, either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch

People with autism might have problems with learning. Their skills might develop unevenly. For example, they could have trouble communicating but be unusually good at art, music, math, or memory. Because of this, they might do especially well on tests of analysis or problem-solving.

More children are diagnosed with autism now than ever before. But the latest numbers could be higher because of changes in how it’s diagnosed, not because more children have a disorder.

Symptoms of autism usually appear before a child turns 3. Some people show signs from birth.

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. These might not start until adolescence.

Previously, Autism was thought to be a separate condition from the ones mentioned below, but now, they are 

• Asperger's syndrome. These children don't have a problem with language; in fact, they tend to score in the average or above-average range on intelligence tests. But they have social problems and a narrow scope of interests.
• Autistic disorder. This is what most people think of when they hear the word "autism." It refers to problems with social interactions, communication, and play in children younger than 3 years.
• Childhood disintegrative disorder. These children have typical development for at least 2 years and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills.
• Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD or atypical autism). Your doctor might use this term if your child has some autistic behavior, like delays in social and communications skills, but doesn’t fit into another category.

Exactly why autism happens isn't clear. It could stem from problems in parts of your brain that interpret sensory input and process language.

Autism is four times more common in boys than in girls. It can happen in people of any race, ethnicity, or social background. Family income, lifestyle, or educational level doesn’t affect a child’s risk of autism. Autism runs in families, so certain combinations of genes may increase a child’s risk. A child with an older parent has a higher risk of autism.

If a pregnant woman is exposed to certain drugs or chemicals, like alcohol or anti-seizure medications, her child is more likely to be autistic. Other risk factors include maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Research has also linked autism to untreated phenylketonuria (also called PKU, a metabolic disorder caused by the absence of an enzyme) and rubella (German measles).

There is no evidence that vaccinations cause autism.

As for cures, there's no certified cure for autism. But early treatment can make a big difference in development for a child with autism. If you think your child shows symptoms of ASD, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

What works for one person might not work for another. Your doctor should tailor treatment for you or your child. The two main types of treatments are:

• Behavioral and communication therapy to help with structure and organization. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of these treatments; it promotes positive behavior and discourages negative behavior. Occupational therapy can help with life skills like dressing, eating, and relating to people. Sensory integration therapy might help someone who has problems with being touched or with sights or sounds. Speech therapy improves communication skills.
• Medications to help with symptoms of ASD, like attention problems, hyperactivity, or anxiety.

Even though Autism is a fairly serious mental health condition that holds the potential to present impairment to everyday life, if treated properly and detected early on, even people with serious ASD can live normal lives without any supervision.

If you or someone you know may have autism, it's best to get a professional opinion. Head on over to Betterfe 

Remember,

You Are Not Alone.