Autism- Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Autism is a complex disability that triggers during the early development of the child. This is predominant among the younger generation and is recognized as a neurological disorder that interferes with the normal functioning of the brain.
Autism leads to retarded mental development, causing poor interaction and communication skills in the affected children. It is also believed that the disorder has a close resemblance to the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder abbreviated as ADHD.
An autistic child is a special child with a repetitive and restricted pattern of behavioral activities. It is estimated that 1 of 10 children born every year is affected by autism.
What are the causes of autism?
- Autism is caused due to a mutation in the genes that code for SynGAP1 protein. This mutated protein affects the synapse of the nerve that impairs the intellectual and behavioral features of the newborn child. This protein subsides cognition and intellectual ability of the developing child.
What are the symptoms of autism?
Autism has several social, communication, and cognitive drawbacks that have the following signs and symptoms:
- They have poor non-verbal communication abilities like gestures or eye contact.
- They are less expressive and are unaware of their surrounding activities.
- The speaking and communication ability is delayed in the young children.
- There can be echolalia which is reciprocal repeating of phrases and words.
- The repertoire of interest is restricted, making them prone to compulsive behavior.
- They have gross motor skills as their neurological system gets affected.
- They are unresponsive to treatments and seizures may develop in autistic children.
How can autism be treated?
- There are several treatment methodologies that are chosen to treat autistic children in different age groups.
- The first aspect is to treat the communication and the behavioral aspects of the child where various learning process like picture exchange, floortime treatment, or the DIR is given to make the communication traits of these children more prompt.
- Occupational treatments may be undertaken by experts so that the child gets acquainted with daily chores like bathing, eating, dressing, and so on.
- Medications are used to fight the depressive seizures that are common symptoms accompanied by autism. The main causes can be treated with some medicines like Risperidone.
