Understanding Autism
Each individual with autism is unique and it is not possible to use a blanket description to identify the disorder, its causes or signs. In this article, we hope to provide you clarity on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and information around it.
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and is characterised by difficulties in social interaction, communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours, and sensory sensitivities. It is called a ‘developmental’ condition because symptoms of autism generally appear in the first two years of a child’s life. It is called a ‘spectrum’ disorder because it is most influenced by different combinations of genetic and environmental factors and affects people differently and to varying degrees. Each autistic person has a set of strengths and challenges that are distinct from any other autistic person and the way (s)he/she learns, thinks or solves problems can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. ASD may occur in persons across all ethnic, racial, and economic groups.
Research into autism has been unable to confirm a single specific cause for a person to have autism. They have however narrowed down on a few possible risk factors including having a sibling with ASD, having certain genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome or Rett Syndrome, babies born to older parents or in babies with very low birth weight.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism?
The difficulties experienced by persons with ASD are broadly divided into Communication and Social Interactions, Restricted and Repetitive Interests, and Behaviours and Sensory Sensitivities. A person with autism may show a few or more of these signs and to varying degrees.
The Success Rate of Therapy Treatment in Autism
Success of therapeutic treatment in autism is subjective and will vary from person to person. However, research has shown that treatment for children who have had an early diagnosis (by ages 2 or 3) are more likely to be successful than those who receive the treatment later and has a 99% scope of mainstreaming them.
In the immediate context of a child, therapy is successful if the child is able to fulfill the goals (within the specified time frame) that have been set by the therapist after thorough diagnosis. In a much broader outlook, success may be measured in terms of the improvement in the child’s functioning over a defined period of time in the areas that had been diagnosed to be a growth or development concern.