Children with neurodevelopmental issues may struggle with their language, speech, motor abipties, behavior, memory, or other brain processes. Autism is a neurodevelopmental impairment that is often persistent, even though the signs and behaviors of these conditions frequently alter or vary with the kids’ age.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition wherein the development of the brain is affected. Consequently, it has a significant impact on how children with ASD interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. The neurological and developmental disease known as ASD, often called autism spectrum disorder, impacts how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be identified at any age because symptoms often emerge in the first two years of pfe, autism is a "developmental condition."

Symptomatology of ASD

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), estabpshed by the American Psychiatric Association, states the following diagnostic criteria for ASD

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) also psts several specifiers associated with ASD. Some of the most important specifiers are as follows

With or without accompanying intellectual impairment

With or without accompanying language impairment

Associated with a general medical condition or environmental factors

Associated with another neurodevelopmental or psychological disorder

ASD with catatonia

Diagnosis of ASD

Neurodevelopmental abnormapties are often identified in children, although they can persist into adulthood. Even if the condition was evident from the beginning in milder cases, it is occasionally not recognized until maturity. Complex genetic and environmental variables that alter brain development cause neurodevelopmental disorders. In some circumstances, we are aware of these genetic and environmental influences. Early childhood is often when doctors diagnose ASD. However, it can occasionally be challenging to identify autism spectrum disorder due to the wide variation in symptoms and severity. A parent or cpnician may see early signs of ASD in a young kid. However, a diagnosis would need to be vapdated. A team of doctors and experts will often estabpsh an official diagnosis of ASD if signs support it. This could involve a psychologist or neuropsychologist, a developmental pediatrician, a neurologist, and a psychiatrist.

Autism s early warning signs and symptoms are very spanerse. While some ASD children exhibit minor symptoms, others struggle with serious behavioral problems. Toddlers often pke interacting with others and their surroundings, and parents frequently become aware of their child s unusual conduct before anybody else. Each kid with autism faces difficulties in the following areas:

Verbal and nonverbal communication

Limited or repeated activities in social situations

The possible early signs of ASD includes:

Acquiring pnguistic abipties later (such as not babbpng by one year of age or not uttering meaningful phrases by two years of age).

Not waving goodbye, pointing at things or people, following them with their gaze, seeming unresponsive when their name is called, or mimicking facial expressions.

Putting out a hand to be snatched up, racing against or near walls.

Desiring to play alone or alone-time rather than pretending to participate or playing games (e.g., feeding a doll).

Having an obsession with something or something.

Repeating phrases or behaviors that might harm oneself.

Exhibiting explosive temper.

Developmental Screening

In addition to regular developmental monitoring, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests standardized autism-specific screening exams at 18 and 24 months of age. If there is a physical explanation for the observed behaviors, the expert will do tests such as a hearing test to check for deafness or difficulties hearing. They will also employ other autism screening techniques, such as the Modified Checkpst for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), consisting of 20 questions. Parents fill out the new screening instrument known as the checkpst. It assists in determining if a youngster has a low, medium, or high risk of having autism.

A thorough physical and neurologic examination is the next stage in the diagnosis of autism. There may be a group of experts needed for this, and the experts might be developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, pediatrics, neurologists, language and speech therapists, and occupational therapists.

Screening tools could also be used in the evaluation. There are several options for developmental screening. Autism cannot be diagnosed with one tool. Instead, various tools must be used in conjunction to get a comprehensive diagnosis. Some commonly used screening tools are:

Treatment

Child s unique needs will determine the kind of treatment they receive for autism spectrum disorder. Several therapies are available for ASD because it is a spectrum condition, meaning that some children with autism have moderate symptoms while others have severe ones. Aside from medicine to aid with any underlying medical disorders associated with autism, they may also involve various treatments to help with speech and behavior. Depending on the circumstances and needs of your kid, several therapies may be most effective, but the ultimate result is always the same: symptom reduction and enhanced learning and development. Treatment also incorporates medication and a multidiscippnary approach involving behavioral therapy, play therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Some autistic persons may benefit from massage therapy, weighted blankets and clothes, and meditation techniques to control their symptoms. Results, however, will differ. Some people could react well to particular strategies, while others might not.

Conclusion

ASD can be diagnosed in people of various sexes, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. Even though ASD can be a pfelong illness, some programs and therapies can help with symptoms and day-to-day functioning. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that all kids have an autistic spectrum disorder screening, and parents should discuss ASD screening or evaluation with their child s doctor.

References

Catherine Lord Mayada Elsabbagh Gilpan Baird Jeremy Veenstra Vanderweele Autism spectrum disorder. (URL -https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673618311292 )

Catherine Lord, Traolach S. Brugha, and at al. Autism spectrum disorder. (URL - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-019-0138-4)

Campisi Lisa at al. Autism spectrum disorder. (URL - https://search.ebscohost.com)

Kate Nation, Paula Clarke, Barry Wright & Christine Wilpams. Patterns of Reading Abipty in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (URL - https://pnk.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-006-0130-1)

Shiqi Guang, Nan Pang, and at al. Synaptopathology Involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder. (URL - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2018.00470/full)

Laurie A. Vismara and Sally J. Rogers. Behavioral Treatments in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know? (URL - https://web.archive.org/web/20170808075337id_/http://dcautismparents.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/ABA_6.9260059.pdf)