Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a continuum of symptoms and behaviors related to a set of disorders with similar characteristics that vary from person to person. Some individuals have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe symptoms. Populations more susceptible to developing the disorder include male children, children whose siblings have the syndrome, and people who already have other developmental disorders, as well children whose bodies may react negatively to some childhood immunizations.
Diagnostic categories comprising the autism spectrum are: Autistic disorder (also called “classic” autism), Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS or “atypical autism”), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett Syndrome.
Among the most common symptoms associated with these disorders are problems in communication and social relations, difficulty in understanding what others think and feel, repetitive or stereotypical behaviors, and obsession with self-stimulating activities that generate pleasure and interest in the child’s self.
Specialized educational programs for treating children with autism focus on developing language and communication skills, social interaction and redirecting behavioral issues. These programs have the support and help of professionals such as pediatricians, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists, psychopedagogues and neurologists.
With specialized educational services, and the care of qualified professionals, it is possible to further develop the potential and capabilities of children with autism. It is worth mentioning that these programs vary from person to person because each child is unique and has his or her own specific needs.
In Asperger Syndrome, the child doesn´t have delays in language and cognitive functions, and actually often displays a good performance in school subjects and learning areas of greatest personal interest. Socially, however, people with Asperger’s commonly have difficulty in putting themselves in the other person’s place, which may result in difficulty comprehending social and non-verbal cues that give meaning and context for understanding of conversation and shared experiences.
Pervasive, Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), also known as the “atypical autism”, is characterized as a mild degree of autism, and presenting such symptoms as difficulty in social interaction and language. This is the diagnosis given by the specialists for someone who has some but not all characteristics of autism, or who have relatively mild symptoms. Children diagnosed with PDD-NOS may have better social skills than children with classic autism or Asperger Syndrome.
Another disease inserted into the autism spectrum is the Rett Syndrome. This disorder mainly affects female children, whose characteristics are observed in difficulty in controlling hand movements and the gait when walking, loss in visual contact and the use of speech, inability to perform motor functions (apraxia), cognitive disabilities, and breathing difficulties. The treatment for the syndrome is multidisciplinary, including medication and specialized therapy.
Childhood disintegrative disorder is a category in autism spectrum disorder used when symptoms manifest later in the child’s life than they occur in development of classic autism. In this type of disorder, there is a gradual loss of previously acquired capabilities causing difficulties in social interaction, decline in motor skill, and loss of control over bowel and bladder function.
With unprecedented growth in the number of children exhibiting various degrees of behavior associated with the autism spectrum, it is important to periodically take children to a pediatrician, in order to keep a medical record of and inform the doctor of physical and behavioral changes in a child’s development. It may also be both informative and helpful to seek guidance from an alternative medicine and a nutritionist. Often food allergies have been linked to autism-like symptoms.
References for article:
