Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD | Types, Signs, Symptoms, Factors
What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. ASD starts early in childhood and stays until adulthood can impact the social skills, communication, relationship, self-regulation, social interaction, and behavior of the person. There’s no way to prevent ASD, but there are treatment options. Early diagnosis and intervention are most helpful and can improve behavior, skills, and language development. However, intervention is helpful at any age.
Types of Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD
- 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 or atypical autism. Your doctor might use this term if your child has some autistic behavior, like delays in social and communication skills.
Risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD:
Autism spectrum disorder affects children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child’s risk. These may include:
- Your child’s sex. Boys are about four times more likely to develop ASD than girls are.
- Family history. Families who have one child with autism spectrum disorder have an increased risk of having another child with the ASD
- Other disorders. Children with certain medical conditions have a higher than normal risk of ASD.
- Extremely preterm babies. Babies born before 26 weeks of gestation may have a greater risk of ASD.
- Parents’ ages. There may be a connection between children born to older parents and an ASD.
Common Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD:
- Avoid 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 and 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
- ASD may also have seizures and these might not start until adolescence.
Complications of ASD:
- Problems with social interactions, communication, and behavior
- Problems in school and with successful learning
- Employment problems
- Inability to live independently
- Social isolation
- Stress within the family
Parents might:
- Learn as much as possible about the ASD
- Provide consistent structure and routine
- Connect with other family or parents who have ASD
- Seek advice or help from specific doctors
- Take time for yourself and other family members
- Knowledge is important for all
Impact of ASD:
- Impact on Family Members – ASD brings with it a lot of emotional ups and downs for the family members. Include the following:
- Embarrassment over their child’s behavior in public
- Emotional Impact
- Feeling socially isolated
- Guilt from thinking that they may be responsible for their child’s challenges
- Despair because of the disorder’s incurable nature
- Resentment of their child and guilt due to the resentment
- Anger at themselves, doctors, and spouse
- Relief because there’s a name for their child’s challenges
- Feeling of overwhelm
- Impact on Sibling – The siblings undergo many of the stresses faced by the other family members. The ASD need for more attention and time may cause siblings to feel left out and resentful.
- Impact on Financial – Families with ASD often face a huge financial burden. Expenses for ASD treatment and therapies are not covered by most private health insurers, and they are quite expensive.
0