FAQ's on Autism
1. What is Autism?
Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity
vary from individual to individual. Autistic children express
differently from each other. Autism is characterized by failure of the
child to develop communicative language or form proper social
communication. But they show motor and other skills far beyond that of a
mentally retarded child.
Autism is characterized by varying degrees of impairment to develop
communicative language or form proper social communication. Some of them
are obsessively pre occupied with inanimate objects such as lights,
running water or spinning objects, and also by repetitive behaviors.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. Some of them gradually develop
extreme talents such as in mathematics and these are retained mostly
throughout the life. Studies of people with autism have found
abnormalities in several regions of the brain which suggest that autism
results from a disruption of early fetal brain development
There is a milder form of the disorder known as Asperger's Syndrome.
Other developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum
Disorders are Rett's Syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental
Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified), and Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't
wait: speak to your doctor about getting your child screened for autism.
2. What is meant by "On the spectrum"?
Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity
vary from individual to individual. Though the Autistic children show
similar traits they are individual and express differently from each
other. one child may have not developed speech and have difficulty in
learning how to read and write, where as another child can easily read
and write and can be attending normal school. Some children may display
hypersensitivity to touch noise and other may have no sensory issues at
all.
3. How common is autism?
According to the survey by Centers for Disease Control, autism affects
as many as 1 in every 100 children and it is rising by 10-15% every
year. It is the most prevalent developmental disorder in today's time.
Boys are more susceptible than girls to develop Autism but it is seen
that girls manifest a more severe form of the disorder that the boys.
4. How do I know my child is Autistic?
No two children with autism are alike, each one managing a
different set of symptoms. But there are some signs and symptoms that
are common and may be recognized as early as the toddler years, or even
sooner. They usually do not have or do not sustain eye contact and have
trouble communicating with other people or they may communicate in ways
that others cannot easily understand. They may hardly speak and even if
they speak it's just babbling and not coherent. They're also prone to
repetitive behaviors like flapping their hands constantly or uttering
the same phrase over and over again. They may also be over sensitive to
sights, sounds and touch.
Criteria for Autism
A total Of 6 or more items of the following with at least 2 from [1],
and one each from [2] and [3] are satisfied by the patient:
[1] Qualitative impairment in social interaction:
Marked impairment in facial expression
Failure to develop peer relationships
A lack of spontaneity in sharing interests
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
[2] Qualitative impairment in communication:
Marked inability to initiate or sustain conversation with others.
[3] Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped pattern of behavior
Encompassing preoccupation with one stereotyped and restricted pattern.
5. How did my child develop autism?
No one is yet able to point to a probable cause. Though a disorder as
common as autism would have a known cause, in many ways it's still quite
mysteriously not known. Recent studies have suggested a strong genetic
basis for autism. There are about 20 sets of genes that may play a part
in the development of autism. Genes are not the only one responsible for
all the cases; there are other triggers which are yet not discovered.
6. Does vaccination cause autism ?
Many studies have been conducted to determine if a link exists between
vaccination and increased prevalence of autism, with particular
attention to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and those
containing thimerosal. These studies have not found a link between
vaccines and autism It remains possible that, in cases, immunization
might trigger the onset of autism symptoms in a child with an underlying
medical or genetic condition.
As this is a sensitive topic it is best to discuss it with your
healthcare provider who will guide you and ensure the optimal well-being
of the child. Establishing open communication and trust with a
physician who understands each child and his or her family is the best
strategy for keeping a child healthy.
7. What help my child needs if He/She is Autistic?
Do not Panic first understand and learn about Autism from the right
source that can be your doctor. You will need a good team of doctors,
therapists, psychologists and teachers who understand and have
experience with autism and can respond to his needs appropriately. Your
healthcare provider can guide you toward various intervention programs
and suggest complementary therapies. It also helps to associate with the
existing network of parents facing the same challenges as you.
8. How to I deal with the diagnosis of Autism?
It is difficult to come to terms with the diagnosis that your
child is having Autism but there is always a brighter side to every
adversity. As we know the Autistic children have some special
capabilities which the normal kids may not pocess.For e.g. some of the
children we saw one was having a extraordinary power to memorize things
only after reading once, one of them was brilliant in drawing and
another in playing musical instrument. So do not blame your self or feel
sad or hopeless. Take the right steps understand the disorder and if
take care from your healthcare provider who will guide you with the
exact nature of the disorder and how to deal with it. Keep the faith.
9. What therapies do I need for my child with Autism?
There are various therapies that are useful some of them are :
Speech Language Therapy (SLT)
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Sensory Integration
Physical Therapy (PT)
Social Skills
Picture Exchange Communication system
Auditory Integration Therapy
10. What role Homeopathy plays in Autism?
Homeopathy is a holistic treatment and it plays a vital role in
treatment of Autistic children. With the Constitutional Homeopathic
treatment we can achieve increased level of concentration, decrease in
hyperactivity and channeling of the energy in a constructive method.
Homeopathic remedies act at the level of the Psycho Neuro endocrinal
axis. Homeopathic treatment is safe and without side effects.
11. Can Autistic children become independent?
Yes Autistic children can become independent with the right intervention
programs, therapy and proper care from the early stages once the child
is detected with Autism. A sustained effort is needed to achieve the
desired outcome from therapy and treatment. As Autistic children are
having special capabilities which when nurtured properly can be a great
asset in making the individual independent.