Archive for July, 2007
In case of developmental and behavioural syndromes, certain combination of traits results in autism spectrum. The spectrum range normally comprises of high functioning autism or hyper-socialisation and low functioning autism.
Many people who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum of one kind or other normally lead a miserable life and end up in poverty.
The autism spectrum is in fact, a pervasive developmental disorder meaning that the disorder causes impairment in language skills, communication skills, self-help skills, and results in restricted motor coordination and poor scholastic achievement.
Characteristic of Autism Spectrum
Out of the several traits that are associated with autism spectrum disorder, you should be able to correctly diagnose the symptom so as to pinpoint the disorder condition. One of the main traits is the inability of the person to make friends and normally such persons will avoid eye contacts, socially non-interactive and are not very trustful.
When you look for any impairment in speech for identifying autism spectrum in a person, then you may look for presence of any high form of formal language, single word replies for the questions asked, usage of rote chunks of language, and inability to understand non-verbal or sign language.
You can also find certain assumed traits associated with autistic spectrum such as literal use of language, sticking to one particular routine, getting engrossed in an act, and improper understanding of the concepts.
Persons with autism spectrum may also show a preference to odd things such as odd colours in clothing and odd food items. They also show a poor motor coordination.
The severity of autism spectrum is determined based on the frequency and number of above-mentioned traits occurring. Persons with autism spectrum are in fact, are very adept in mathematics and science due to the fact that rote memorisation is a trait in autism spectrum.
What is the Relation with ADHD
Some scientists see a link between autism spectrum and other similar disorders. For example, ADHD has been known to have both a genetic and behavioural link with autistic spectrum. Some experts even suggest that ADHD is to be categorised under autistic spectrum disorders due to the commonness in symptoms.
Further, it is also possible for your child to get both ADHD and autism spectrum together in one time. In children the symptoms of both the conditions are almost similar in nature however as the age increases the disorder will become more distinct for you to say whether it is ADHD or autism spectrum.
It is possible for certain children who grow up with ADHD to develop a very normal communication and social skills where as it is not so in autism spectrum disorders, as the children will continue to exhibit impaired symptoms even as they grow.
We have to still go a long way in the autism spectrum journey. Despite the monumental advancements in medicine and other scientific achievements, we do not have an effective cure for this disorder. Your effort to know more about the subject can in fact see you helping autistic people in many ways and assisting them to lead a near normal life.
[tags]Autism, Autism Spectrum, ADHD [/tags]
Autism and PDD (pervasive developmental disorder) are basically characterised by symptoms such as disrupted speech, poor or no communication and social interaction and the condition is regarded as one of the developmental disorders. Further, obsessive behaviour is also another outcome of the autism and PDD condition.
PDD or the Pervasive Development Disorder is the condition that deals all these developmental disorders at a macro level, hence autism actually forms a part of PDD, and autism and PDD share many common traits. The basic common traits that both autism and PDD share under the broad categories of diagnosis, causes, and treatments are:
Predicting Autism and PDD
The results of any diagnosis for autism and PDD will show any one or all the three types of impairments namely speech impairment, absence of social interaction and repetitive obsessive behaviour.
The only marked difference amongst the symptoms is in the level of severity displayed. In PDD the symptoms of impairment will be less severe or less marked where as in autism the same symptoms would be at a higher level of severity and more conspicuous.
However, only an experienced and a qualified medical professional alone can interpret the diagnosed symptoms correctly. Further, to arrive at the correct diagnosis there are so many questionnaires devised for the purpose with which the doctor could find out the presence of any impairment that may lead to autism or PDD.
Reasons for Autism and PDD
Till today the exact causes for autism and PDD are not known. However, medical researchers and other behavioural experts opine that genetics play a vital role for the onset of the autism and PDD and hence the reason lies some where in one of the branches of the family tree.
But, both the autism and PDD have evaded the genetic angle while subjected to test and that led to researchers coming to a conclusion that both autism and PDD are caused by a combination of genetic and other psychological abnormalities or anomalies.
Further, in an another school of thought, that certain administered vaccines during the early developmental stage of the child is also responsible for the development of both autism and PDD. However, there is no concrete evidence to show that vaccines are in fact responsible for the onset of autism.
Handling Autism and PDD
Autism and PDD cannot be treated with one single treatment and it normally employs a series of methods and techniques. The basic methodology comprises of many associated techniques that aim in behavior modification, techniques for overall development, appropriate medications, and in educating both the patient and the family members.
In an initial attempt the patient will be treated for bringing down the erratic behaviour so as to control the so-called “out of control” behavior. Any attempt to change the behavioural pattern will be done along with few medications and in an overall scenario, a strict discipline will be enforced so as to contain the abnormal behaviour of the patient at all times and at all levels.
Out of the many behaviour development techniques available, techniques such as ABA (applied behavior analysis), therapy for better verbal communication, physical therapy, and special education are employed. Sometimes a medical prescription may also be included in the treatment for autism and PDD.
The administered or prescribed medications may include medicine for stabilising hyperactivity or depression and the same can also be given along with tranquilisers and anti-depressants. Further, medicines will include to address the problem of convulsions in patients and all these combinations are worked out for treating the autism and PDD.
[tags]Autism, PDD[/tags]
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects children before the age of three years. The autism disorder shows up as impairment in speech, retraction from outside world, impairment in social interaction, and abnormal or inappropriate responses to the external stimulus.
As a parent you cannot see any physical signs or symptoms, but you can notice certain abnormal behavioural changes hitherto you have not seen or heard elsewhere.
Initial ymptoms
The first signs or the initial symptoms of autism in your child may not be common, as the symptoms are quite different with every child. Few children are born with the malady, and other children develop the complications and start showing up the symptoms suddenly.
Any autistic child will be non-responsive to people and may not look for many toys but stick to one particular plaything or toy. They will avoid eye contacts and never entertain affectionate gestures such as touching or hugging.
Autistic child will be slow in developing speech than the regular children and they will be very aggressive for no reasons and that leading to many self-injuries. As a parent you may first notice the abnormal behaviour, but in many cases your friends and relatives will brush away such behaviours as “crazy”.
The moment you see any abnormal behaviour in your child, it is better you seek for guidance from doctors immediately as autism in children requires immediate therapies to correct the malady.
The Child Doctor
Today’s pediatricians are well equipped to know and identify the possibility of autism in children. The pediatricians are aware of this neurological disorder, and they can tell whether your child is well within the normal behaviour patterns or not.
But the symptoms of autism are still evading diagnosis, as there are no standard medical tests for diagnosing autism in children. If you can see any problem or see your child lacking in proper speech, then it is time you have sought for doctor’s help to rule out the possibility of autism in your child.
Autism being a neurological disorder, your child may show up a lack of interest in playing with toys or may show intermittent outbursts for no valid reasons or even exhibit peculiar gesticulations.
Though there is a possibility for some other neurological problem, it is better you consult your doctor for testing your child and for ruling out the autism disorder. However, in case of diagnosed autism, you need to consult a specialist for treating your child.
Consulting Experts experienced in Autism Treatment
Experts or specialists well trained in treating autism in children has several time-tested techniques and instruments that can assist in diagnosing the autism in your child. These specialists use a standardised rating scale to measure your child’s observed behavior and decide on the condition after making a well structured interview with parents and after getting to know the symptoms.
Any photographs or videos can also assist in knowing when the first symptom cropped up and at what age so as to help the doctor in pinpointing the disorder. Even after matching the results with the possible autism in your child, the specialist should consider all other associated conditions that may be very close in resemblance to autism in children.
Once the specialist rule out other possible disorders and be able to pinpoint on the autism angle due to the presence of poor social relationships, poorly developed communication skills, repetitive behaviors, etc., you can decide as to how to deal with the situation and start working out the methodologies of the treatment.
Technorati Tags: Autism, Child Autism Symptoms
