Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is known to be a neurological and developmental condition characterized by unusual behavior, interests, social interaction, and communication. ASD being a developmental disorder, the symptoms usually show in the early years of life (Amaral et al.). Autism is “spectrum” disorder due to the extensive variation in severity and symptoms. Research shows that about 2 in every 200 people develop ASD in the United Kingdom (UK). The diagnosis of the disease is more prevalent in boys as compared to girls. ASD can occur to any child irrespective of economic group, race, and ethnicity. Even though ASD can be a lifetime condition, services and treatments can recuperate a person's symptoms and their functionality. Currently, there is no standard cure for ASD but the language and speech therapy, educational support, occupational therapying addition to other interventions available to help both the child and parents (Szatmari). A small percentage of children tend to appear generally developing within the first year of life but later undergo a regression period of between 18-24 months of age when they develop ASD symptoms.
Types of ASD
The classification of ASD existed till 2013 when they were generalized to autistic “spectrum” disorder. There were three types of which were classified into Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger syndrome, autistic condition. The three maladies have common symptoms, but they differ in impact and severity (Amaral et al.). Rett Syndrome falls under PDD because they both bear life-threatening exceptional genetic diseases and are considered single medical states that do not truly fit in the autism spectrum. Later on, due to contradictions in the way people with autism were categorized, all the variants were generalized into “autism spectrum disorder.” Thus, shifting the focus from where the child belongs on the autism spectrum to whether the child has ASD. If a child development is delayed or is suspected to exhibit autistic behaviors, it calls for a medical checkup by healthcare specialists to ascertain the possibility of ASD and the severity if confirmed.
Signs and Symptoms of ASD
People who have ASD are associated with; poor social interaction, difficulty communication, repetitive behavior, restricted interests and traits that interfere other people’s ability to function appropriately at places of work, school and other fields of life (Amaral et al.). Examples of behavior related symptoms demonstrated by persons diagnosed with ASD include less eye contact and listening to people, rarely share activities or fun to others. Slow or no response when their names are called out, talking for long about their favorites or hobbies without allowing other people’s opportunities to chip in. Poor movement coordination, great voice tone which can be robot-like, flat or sing-song, and finally having trouble comprehending others' opinions or courses of actions. However, not all persons with ASD will portray all behaviors, but most will express several.
Neurological related symptoms. Many children with ASD tend to overreact or underreact to stimuli. Sometimes they ignore the people around them to an extended one would think they are deaf (Autism Spectrum Disorder). However, more often they are irritated by even the softest sounds in the surrounding. The noise of a ringing telephone can easily upset them, and they can respond by covering up their ears. ASD children are also sensitive to texture and touch.
Emotional difficulties. ASD children have trouble expressing their emotions appropriately. For example, they may suddenly start crying, screaming or laughing for no apparent reason. When under pressure or stress they may act aggressively (harming others or themselves, hitting and breaking things). Disproportionate cognitive abilities (Szatmari). ASD can occur at all levels of intelligence. However, even the most intelligent children often have inconsistently developed cognitive skills. The nonverbal and verbal skills tend to be weaker. The children cope well with visual skills than abstract thinking.
Causes of ASD
ASD has no specific known reason. With the complexity of the disorder and the variation in severity, there are many probable causes. Both environment and genetics play a vital role. Genetics-various genes are involved in the development of autistic spectrum disorder. For some kids, ASD can be linked to the genetic condition, for instance, Rett syndrome or weak X syndrome. For other kids, genetic mutations may increase their chances of developing ASD. Other genes may also interfere with brain development or the manner in which the brain cells function thus, determining the severity of the symptoms. Genetic mutations may occur spontaneously or may be inherited (Szatmari). Environmental- lately researchers are investigating to find out whether factors like pregnancy complications, air pollutants viral infections and medications play a role in eliciting ASD (Amaral et al.).
Risk Factors
The number of kids diagnosed with ASD is on the rise. ASD can occur to any child irrespective of economic group, race, and ethnicity. However, certain factors increase the child’s risk of developing the disease. Some of the elements include; child’s sex- boys have a higher risk of developing ASD that is four folds higher than girls (Amaral et al.). Family history- I families with a history of ASD have a higher chance of having another child with the same condition. Extremely preterm baby- less than 24 weeks of gestation have a higher risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. Parent's age is also linked to the development of ASD in a child. Researchers suggest that there is a correlation between children born of aged parents and ASD. Other disorders are also associated with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). For instance, fragile X syndrome and genetically transmitted disorders which result in intellectual difficulties such as tuberous sclerosis- a disease where non-cancerous tumors develop in the brain. Rett syndrome is also a genetic disorder which occurs mostly in girls caused slowed head growth, loss of function of the hands and intellectual disability.
Diagnosing ASD
For one to tell whether their child has a developmental disorder or ASD, clinicians must keenly observe and assess how their child communicates, interacts and behaves. Diagnosis of the condition is based on behavior patterns discovered. If a child development is delayed or is suspected to exhibit autistic behaviors, healthcare specialists such as child psychologists, special education teachers, child psychiatrists, audiologist, developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, speech pathologists, and physical therapists should be consulted to ascertain the possibility of ASD and the severity if confirmed. Diagnosing ASD is a complex process. No accurate medical test can diagnose the condition, instead, to accurately determine the child’s problem multiple tests and evaluations are necessary.
Some of the evaluations and tests carried out on suspected children by the specialists include; first, parent interview-the parent or guardian usually is requested to provide background information regarding the child’s behavioral, developmental and mental and medical history. Second, medical exam-medical evaluations are inclusive of neurological, physical, genetic and lab testing (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The child is expected to go to undertake a full screening to pinpoint the cause of developmental impairments and distinguish co-existing conditions if any. Third, hearing test-the the fact that hearing disorders are associated with social and language delays, they need to be ruled out during the diagnosis of ASD. The test entails a more formal audiological assessment where a child is examined for hearing problems as well as hearing disorders or sound sensitivities which are linked to developing autism. Observation is another evaluation test used by health specialists to explore the unusual behavior relating to ASD. Children can be observed in various settings for instance when interacting or playing with others. Lead screening is also necessary because lead poisoning has the potential of causing autistic-like characteristics. National Center for Environmental Health suggests that all infants with developmental delays should consider screening for lead poisoning. The diagnostic valuation may encompass motor skills, intelligence, social, speech, and sensory processing testing (Amaral et al.). These examinations may be useful not only in the diagnosis of the disorder but also in defining the mode of treatment the child requires.
Language and speech valuation also help to examine the child’s possibility of having ASD. Speech pathologists frequently examine the child’s speech and ability to communicate as well as assessing other indicators of specific language problems. With cognitive testing, the child can be given a casual cognitive assessment or an intelligence test. Finally, a diagnosis can be made through adaptive functioning evaluation. A child’s ability to solve the problem, adapt to various real-life situations and function commonly is also assessed. It may include tests such as the ability to perform daily activities for instance feeding and feeding themselves.
Treatment
Treatment of ASD involves the intervention of essential aspects of the child’s development to manage the ASD related symptoms. Some of which include communication skills-it entails the use of images and pictures to help the child communicate (Amaral et al.). Psychosocial treatments are also helpful in cases of anxiety issues. This supportive treatment enables one to sweep away challenges and retain excellent mental health. Medication-related procedures of ASD symptoms entail treating insomnia, depression, epilepsy, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with melatonin, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), anticonvulsants and methylphenidate respectively. Other alternative therapies include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), often incorporated in clinics and schools to aid the kids to develop positive behaviors (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Autism can also be managed with Alternative Therapies such as Auditory integration training (AIT), and music therapies can also be useful in managing ASD. However, the entire process requires careful and close monitoring between the physicians and the child’s parents or guardians.
Conclusion
To sum up, Autism Spectrum Disease is a condition about the developmental and neurological disorder which starts in early childhood and progresses for a lifetime. ASD interferes with how one learns, communicates, acts and relates to others. People with ASD experience a range of symptoms such as repetitive movements, restricted interests, and social interaction. Well-child checkups should enable healthcare providers to assess a child’s development (Autism Spectrum Disorder). In case the signs of ASD are suspected of a comprehensive evaluation of the child is needed which may encompass a team of specialists conducting various tests to reach a diagnosis. The leading causes of ASD are uncertain, and researchers propose that both environment and genes interplay to contribute to ASD. Currently, there is no standard form of treatment for ASD. However, there are various ways of increasing the child’s ability to grow and potential to learn new skills but the earlier, the better. Treatments entail medication to regulate symptoms, communication and behavior therapies and skills training.
Works Cited
Amaral, David, et al. Autism Spectrum Disorders. Oxford University Press, 2011.
Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://medlineplus.gov/autismspectrumdisorder.html. Accessed 11 Nov. 2018.
Szatmari, Peter. The Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Multiple Factors Have Been Identified, but a Unifying Cascade of Events Is Still Elusive. British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 2003.
