Autism Disorder

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions" (Cherney, 2018). Disparities in communication and social interaction are characteristics of these disorders. People with ASD frequently exhibit repetitive or constrained inclinations or behaviors. Since signs of autism often arise in the first two years of life, it is referred to as a "developmental disorder" but can be diagnosed at any age.

Autism is referred to as a "spectrum" illness because the nature and intensity of a person's symptoms can vary greatly. Although autism can be a lifelong condition, therapies and services can help a person's symptoms and everyday functioning.

Signs and symptoms of Autism

People with Autism fall into 2 distinctions:

1. Difficulty with social interactions and communication
2. Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests

Difficulty with social interactions may include:

• Making little or inconsistent eye contact
• Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation
• Difficulties sharing in imaginative play or in making friends.

Restricted or repetitive behavior may include:

• Becoming upset by slight changes in a routine
• Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors
• Being more sensitive or less sensitive than other people to sensory input.

Now that the 2 distinctions are discussed, let's look over what the symptoms of Autism are. However, the symptoms may vary from person to person; it may also vary from how a child has Autism and how an adult has Autism. The symptoms for children include:

• Lack of social or emotional exchanges
• Difficulties in forming, creating and sustaining connections that are age appropriate.
• Excessively following routines
• Having difficulty managing emotions

The symptoms for an adult may include:

• Struggling with time management
• Difficulty paying attention.
• Feeling anxious in social situations

Causes of Autism

ASD's precise origin is not known. There isn't one single reason, according to the most recent study. Since autism is a complicated condition, no two autistic persons are alike. Due to this, experts think that environmental and genetic variables are likely among the causes of autism. There may be many causes to how Autism comes about.

Genetic

According to a 2019 estimate, genetics are to blame for around 80% of autism cases. It's not always apparent how significant a function these tiny gene changes play, despite the fact that studies indicates that many autistic persons have these abnormalities in many of their genes.

In actuality, a large number of autistic individuals have various mutations, and others do not exhibit the genetic alterations that are frequently associated with autism. As a result, several mutations are likely responsible for a variety of autism-related symptoms.

For example, there may be some genetic mutations or a combination of them which:

• Play a role in causing certain behaviors.
• And increase a person’s chances of having autism and etc.

Environmental factors

According to studies, the events leading up to and after birth are the main variables that have the most impact on a person's likelihood of having autism, such as:

• The pregnant mother has diabetes or another immune system disorder.
• The baby was breech, in fetal distress, or had a low birth weight.
• The baby is born before 36 weeks old

Biological factors

Some studies relate autism to certain immune system disorders. According to the same research, several diseases contracted during pregnancy may raise the chance that a kid may develop autism. An association between mitochondrial function and autism may exist, according to recent studies. Researchers also contend that some of the environmental elements that might raise a person's risk of being diagnosed with autism may also have an impact on mitochondria.

Other immune system issues may also increase the likelihood of autism, including:

• Problems with how the immune system works
• Inflammation
• Developing antibodies to a condition they haven’t been exposed to

The researchers also looked into several biological factors that may contribute to Autism. These factors include:

• brain connectivity
• growth or overgrowth in certain areas of the brain
• metabolism

Diagnosis

An autistic individual must fulfill both the social and behavioral requirements for autism spectrum disorder, as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in order to be considered to have the condition. The diagnosis for Autism may might as well be starting at the age of 18 months or younger, however it is much more common and customary to diagnose a person at around the age of 2 years old.

Clinicians may search for communication patterns like these when diagnosing ASD, including:

• Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
• Differences in nonverbal communication
• Difficulty adjusting behavior to different social settings

The clinicians may also look into the behavioral patterns when diagnosing people, such as:

• Strong attachment to routine
• Specific movements, actions, or gestures
• Specific, strong interests

Treatments

As soon as feasible following diagnosis, ASD treatment should start. Early ASD diagnosis and treatment are crucial because the right support and services may lessen people' challenges while also enabling them to build on their strengths and acquire new abilities.

There is no specific treatment for Autism, as the people who are diagnosed with Autism may confront a range of issues that connect to each other in some way.

Medication

some symptoms of autism may be relieved by a number of drugs that are also used to treat related illnesses. To treat particular symptoms, a healthcare professional may recommend medicine. There are many medications used to treat Autism, which are:

1. Antipsychotics - support for children and people with autism who are exhibiting aggressiveness, self-harm, or behavioral issues. Risperidone (Risperdal) and apripiprazole (Abilify) have recently been authorized by the FDA for treating autistic symptoms.
2. Antidepressants - although many people with autism take antidepressants, it is still unclear if these medications truly lessen the symptoms of autism. Nevertheless, they could be helpful in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety in autistic individuals.
3. Stimulants - inattention and hyperactivity, two symptoms of autism that sometimes coexist with ADHD, can be helped by stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin), which are often used to treat ADHD. According to a 2015 study on the usage of autism medications, stimulants are beneficial for roughly half of autistic children, while they can cause undesirable side effects in a small number of them.
4. Anticonvulsants - Anti-seizure drugs are occasionally recommended for autistic persons who also have epilepsy. These anti-seizures include - Brivaracetam (Briviact), Cannabidiol (Epidiolex), Carbamazepine (Carbatrol or Tegretol), and Cenobamate(Xcopri).

Therapy

A child's requirements may change over time, and the variety of home- and school-based interventions and therapies for autism spectrum condition can be bewildering. Build a team of specialists to fulfill your child's requirements if they have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Consult experts about developing a treatment plan. One way to help with the treatment of an Autistic child is through therapy, some of which are mentioned below.

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy - the relationships between feelings, ideas, and actions are discussed throughout CBT sessions. This could make it easier to pinpoint the ideas and emotions that set off bad habits. For those with autism who struggle with anxiety, CBT is very helpful. Additionally, it can aid in improving their ability to function in social circumstances and perceive emotions in others.
2. Occupational therapy - this is a branch of medicine that focuses on educating both adults and children in the core life skills they must possess. This frequently involves teaching youngsters how to use their hands, how to write, and how to take care of themselves. Adult occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping individuals learn independent living skills including cooking, cleaning, and handling money.
3. Behavior and communication therapies - some programs concentrate on eliminating problematic habits and imparting new abilities. Other initiatives concentrate on instructing kids in social skills or improving their interpersonal communication. Through a reward-based incentive system, applied behavior analysis (ABA) may assist kids in learning new abilities and generalizing these skills to a variety of settings.

Summary

Autism is a complicated disorder for which there is no treatment; it is also known as a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects people's behavior through. To control its symptoms, there are several therapy modalities and drugs available. Whatever the etiology of autism, there are many options for autistic individuals to live well and receive the assistance that suits them. The most successful treatments incorporate early and vigorous behavioral assistance.

Though it is somewhat not known what the cause of this disorder might be, the treatment for this disorder relies on how severe the symptoms are. It is also decided to give medications and therapy together as a form of treatment or just give them separately. However, what can be done is give endless support to the child or an adult with Autism.

Though it is not easy diminish the disorder and its symptoms, people with Autism may be able to live with the symptoms but not that severely. Treatment interventions are also considered beneficial when it comes to disorders like this. With the help of applied behavior analysis (ABA), it is possible to enhance memory-focus, academic achievement, and communications while decreasing unfavorable isolation from others. The causes however are unknown but it is still under research about where it came from and how is one family memeber is able to have this disorder.