Autism

Autism - General Information

Prior the mid-20th century, these problems were considered as the outcome of the upbringing, and surroundings which were disproved through the efforts of Eugen Bleuler, Leo Kanner, and Hans Asperger among others. Since then, numerous research and counseling centers have come up to help guide in Autism and has been successful in many ways as better ways of diagnosing and treatment have been discovered.

There is no particular creed, caste; race, color or location specific victims, and just about any one can be affected; although it affects boys more than girls (four times more).

Autism – Symptoms

Autism being a development disorder symptoms are somewhat related to the growth in development and sensory activities. The symptoms can be classified in three groups as a) lack of interest social interaction; b) difficulty in communication (verbal and non-verbal) and c) obsessive, limited and repetitive behaviors.

As a matter of fact, infants and toddlers love attention, noise, respond to cues of the actions, feelings and voices; while these autistic children reactions can be such that the parent feels neglected or unwanted by the child.

They are unresponsive to the surroundings, aloof, avoid eye-contact, react typically in all situations, and hypersensitive to touch, sound and pain. They exhibit unnatural attachment to and attentive gazing and spinning of objects; obsessive lining/stacking up of objects in straight lines. They can show signs of mental retardness and hearing problems; and throw tantrums and give inappropriate responses to situations (laughing or giggling) for no reason.

They can exhibit self-abusive (banging head/pulling hair) or strange (rocking/hand-clapping/head-rolling) behavior and lack empathy (fear of dangers or the lack of love/ affection show). They can also be extremely active or under active. Their intelligence can be below or above average or unusually high which is reflected in their activities. They have difficulty in expressing themselves and use gestures (pointing) for expression. They resist change in their lives whether it is the different dressing up, or the movement of furniture.

They have a high risk of developing conditions like “fragile X syndrome” that causes mental retardation, tuberous sclerosis wherein tumors grow in the brain, epileptic seizures, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and Tourette's syndrome and may develop epilepsy also.

Autism – Treatment

However, the above mentioned symptoms need not mean Autism as they can be a part of other diseases that come under the Autistic category. Moreover, symptoms generally start in the infancy but are more marked when the child grows up and inputs of parents, siblings, friends, and teachers etc. shall be very helpful in the judging the child condition.

There is a lot of controversy regarding the treatment of this disease with both sides stating it as being curable and not being. Since, research is still in its infancy state and success stories support the fact that it can be treated. Autism can either die out or progress more as the child grows up; thus the first growing years are crucial wherein proper observation and check-up of the child is important. Special behavior therapies and guidance is required for each person as they can respond differently. However, in severe cases, independent living is almost out of question and there have been cases where adults have had success in their lives.

A lot of patience, understanding, and specialized guidance, counseling is required to help the child to learn to live with Autism. Hence since it requires a careful diagnosis wherein a number of medical specialists (Neurologist, Psychologist, Pediatrician, Psychiatrist, Therapists of Occupational, Physical, Speech/Language, among others).

It involves a number of screening instruments like Autism Screening Questionnaire, CARS rating system, CHAT, CARS, PIA, GARS and BRIAC, the Screening Test for Autism plus other behavioral and development studies of the child; including the guidance and help of a social worker.

Since, Autism is complex with varying degrees and affects the child and their families, so a variety of specialized treatments under various categories. “Sensory, behavioral and integration interventions” that develop interactive, language and development skills include the ABA; TEACHH, Floortime, Computers, Snoezelen (multi-sensory stimulation); Neurofeedback, Cranio Sacral Therapy and Non-coercive approaches. “Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)” helps to develop social skills in the children like Son Rise.

Medications for this disease include Anti-depressants for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression (clomipramine, fluoxetine); Anti-psychotic medications for behavioral problems (Risperdal). Others are Anticonvulsant drugs (seizures), Stimulant drugs (attention deficit disorder-ADD, hyperactivity, and impulsivity). Others include dopamine blockers, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors-SSRIs (behaviors); psychostimulant methylphenidate (hyperactivity), and hormonal therapy

Nutritional supplements include Vitamins (B12, B6, C, A, Vitamin B derivatives etc.), Minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc), Essential fatty acids (Flax seed oil, Fish liver oil etc.), Anti-yeast supplements, natural remedies (Garlic, Caprylic acid etc.), Dimethylglycine (DMG), Probiotics, Melatonin, polyunsaturated fatty acids-PUFA (omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids), carnosine, cyproheptadine, folic acid , glutathione, and others. Controlled dieting with low Salicylate and Carbohydrate; absence of Gluten, Casein, and Lutein; the Feingold diet also helps. Therapies like chelation (detoxification of the body via thiamine supplements), Occupational, Craniosacral, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy-HBOT and stem therapy.Short term effects of medications include weight gain, dizziness, suicidal tendencies, drowsiness , increased seizures, high blood sugar, headache, nausea. Long term have yet to be decided.

Thus, Autism is a disorder with complexities and needs to be seen with a holistic approach and the affected person has to be treated as a whole with sensitivity and to help him/her to live with his/her disease.