Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that impacts the social interaction, communication, and behaviour of a child. It often appears in early childhood and is characterised by challenges in these areas and potential repetitive behaviours or interests.
Autism symptoms in children have nothing to do with parenting or any other things after they are born. There is no clear answer to the question of why some people are autistic. Read on to understand autism signs, symptoms, diagnosis and more.
Autism disorder symptoms involve challenges with social communication and interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests. These can manifest in various ways, including delayed language, difficulty with social cues, and sensory sensitivities. The characteristics of autism symptoms may differ from person to person, and two different people can show distinct signs of characteristics.
The way a child socialises may differ by their age. A 3-year-old child will socialise differently than a child who is 10 or 15. Here is a detailed guide on how children socialise differently according to their age:
Here are some symptoms of autism in toddlers:
Here are some symptoms of autism in children:
Here are some symptoms of autism in teenagers and adolescents:
Here are some symptoms and signs of a child on their body language and the way they act in different scenarios:
Here are some symptoms of an infant’s body language:
Here are some symptoms of a teenager’s body language:
We need to remember that there are no set characteristics of autism. The above features can be autism-like symptoms but not autism. However, if these characteristics or behaviours challenge a child in social situations or their day-to-day life, that can be a sign of autism.
According to researchers, there are no specific causes of autism. There can be various factors involved to cause autism, such as genetics and other things which are related to pregnancy, labour and delivery. All these factors may have a combination effect leading to the brain difference we notice in autism.
A few factors which can cause severe autism symptoms in your child:
There is not any single gene involved which can cause autism. There is the involvement of multiple different genes to cause autism spectrum disorder. A genetic disorder called Rett syndrome or Fragile X syndrome can be associated with autism for some kids. Every autistic person does not have a clear genetic cause.
Moreover, there can be different effects on brain development, which causes autism spectrum disorder. However, researchers have not yet found these genetic factors.
It is easy to say that autism is inherited when we associate it with genetics. However, gene variations can show up for the first time in a child's brain. Therefore, in that case, autism spectrum disorder is not inherited. However, genetic patterns can be passed down in children.
The part of inheritance in autism can happen as genetic syndromes. There are some genetic syndromes, such as fragile X syndrome, down syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, which have a high possibility of showing autism spectrum disorder symptoms. If a child has one of these syndromes, they might show signs of autism with other developmental changes.
Getting an autism diagnosis involves a multi-step process that includes screenings and evaluations by specialists. The use of standardised diagnostic tools with a focus on observing behaviours and gathering information from parents or caregivers.
The diagnosis process begins with screening, where a set of questions is asked of the child. The screening happens by a paediatrician when the child is 18 to 24 months old. If the paediatrician finds any sign of autism, they will refer the child to a specialist for further diagnosis. The specialist will try to observe any other specific characteristics related to autism.
Here are three factors a child must have difficulties in to diagnose as autistic:
This refers to the back-and-forth nature of social interaction, such as engaging in conversations or sharing emotions. For example, there may be difficulty initiating or responding to social interactions, a lack of sharing interests and emotions, an abnormal social approach, or failure of normal back-and-forth conversation
This includes using nonverbal cues like eye contact, body language, and gestures to communicate. For example, kids with autism show poor verbal and nonverbal communication, abnormal eye contact, and body language. They also show a lack of understanding and use of gestures or a total lack of facial expressions and body language.
This involves forming and maintaining relationships, understanding social cues, and adjusting behaviour to suit different social situations. For example, autistic kids experience difficulties adjusting their behaviour to suit various social situations. They may find it difficult to make friends, or they show an absence of interest in peers.
Any of the two symptoms present in a child indicates that they can be autistic:
There is no particular treatment available to cure autism. Treatment involves maximising the child’s way of functioning by decreasing the autism symptoms. It aims to help children do their day-to-day tasks properly and reduce complications in social situations.
The wide range of home and school-based treatments for an autistic child can be overwhelming. However, a healthcare specialist can identify and recommend the child's needs to provide help.
Here are some treatment options available for autism:
A lot of children experience other conditions which are correlated to autism. Here are some co-related conditions with autism:
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex brain development disorder. Children with autism symptoms experience many difficulties in communication, behaviour, learning and social interactions. Autism symptoms appear at a very early age. While autism symptoms have no particular cure, early diagnosis and therapies to reduce the symptoms can help children with autism. Parents need to seek expert help to ensure their child gets proper treatment.
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