Autism Spectrum Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Autism is the most common brain-related developmental disorder in children. In India, the Indian Scale Assessment of Autism estimates that around 2 million children are living with this condition. The Autism Society of America (ASA) identifies autism as a developmental disability that usually appears in children during their first three years. Autism arises from a neurological condition that affects typical brain development and function. It affects a child’s ability to communicate effectively and interact socially with others.

Autism is typically not diagnosed until around 18 months of age, and the optimal time to begin treatment is between one and two years. Early intervention is crucial because nearly 80% of brain development occurs within the first three years of life. Unfortunately, due to limited awareness, many parents start treatment late, making it harder for children to manage the challenges associated with autism. Timely intervention can help prevent or reduce developmental difficulties in both infants and toddlers.

Autism varies in its presentation, meaning every child with the condition is different and experiences it in their own way. Each child exhibits different strengths and challenges. Social stigma can make life difficult for both children and adults with autism. Misconceptions and insensitivity often lead people to stare or treat autistic children differently. As a result, some parents limit their child’s social interactions, which can isolate the child and add stress for the family.

Another common challenge is the mismatch between parental expectations and the outcomes of therapy. Since every child’s progress varies, parents need to maintain realistic expectations. There is no quick cure for autism, so consistent, long-term therapy is the most effective way to support a child’s development and growth.

Causes

Until recently, the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder were not known, but now, more and more researchers are trying to identify the trigger factors for the disease.

1. Several factors can contribute to the development of autism, including uncommon gene mutations, environmental stressors, the parents’ age at conception, maternal illnesses during pregnancy, birth complications, and oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain, among others.

2. Autism does not have a single reason that may be responsible for its onset. Studies indicate that irregularities in brain structure and function are often linked to the development of autism. However, hereditary, genetic, and medical issues are yet to be confirmed as causes for the condition.

3. Many studies have shown that genes play a prime role in the development of Autism. But blaming genes alone is wrong. This is because families of children with Autism may have other kinds of disorders they may be suffering from. These can range from emotional disorders to social impairments. However, the majority of studies point to genes when it comes to the causes of Autism. No one gene is responsible for Autism.

4. Since no two people suffering from Autism are exactly alike, it is tough to boil down to one conclusion, which may be the cause of Autism. Researchers are still looking for biological factors like problems with metabolism, the immune system, brain connections, and brain growth as some of the possible issues responsible for Autism.

Symptoms

The characteristic symptoms of ASD can be observed in three major areas of development:

1. Social interaction
2. Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
3. Thinking and behavioural skills

People suffering from ASD experience a range of symptoms. Some common symptoms include the following:

1. Not maintaining eye contact or lacking a smile when doing so
2. Not reacting or inconsistently reacting when their name is called out
3. Hypersensitivity to noise
4. Lost in their own thoughts
5. Hitting or biting themselves
6. Not using gestures while communicating
7. Inability to follow objects visually
8. Inability to make friends
9. Repetitive body movements or repeating their own sentences

Three Main Types of Autism Spectrum Disorder

1. Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)

This is the mildest form of Autism. People suffering from Asperger’s syndrome will become obsessively interested in a particular object or subject. They would endlessly learn, read, and discuss it. Children with AS usually have an average or above-average intelligence, and this is why it is often called ‘High-Functioning Autism’.

2. Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Unspecified (PDD-NOS)

This is more severe than AS but less severe than autistic disorder. The symptoms of people suffering from PDD-NOS vary widely, and no two people suffering from the disease will exhibit the same symptoms, but some common symptoms may include the following:

• Poor social interaction
• Worse language skills than Asperger’s syndrome, but better than Autistic disorder
• Less repetitive behaviour than Asperger’s syndrome and autism

3. Autistic Disorder

This is the most severe form of ASD, and people suffering from the disorder will have severe impairments. They will have problems with social interaction and communication, and will have the most repetitive behaviours. They may as well have intellectual disability and seizures.

Two More Types of ASD That Are Very Rare

1. Rett syndrome
2. Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)

People suffering from these disorders will exhibit symptoms such as losing language skills, losing intellectual skills, seizures, and they most likely do not recover their lost abilities.

Prevention

Pregnant women should take extra care to prevent Autism in children. These precautions include:

1. Regular Visits to the Doctor and Checking on Your Medication

In order to prevent Autism, it is important to take your medical check-ups and medications seriously during the course of your pregnancy. This will help you keep track of all the changes in your body and the baby’s body. This is also a key time, as the habits you will form during your pregnancy will eventually be responsible for the brain development of your child.

2. Less Exposure to Air Pollution

A study by Harvard School of Public Health concluded that the risk of developing Autism doubles in an infant in the third trimester of the mother, if she is exposed to too much pollution. The particular pollutants responsible for the same are yet to be mentioned, but staying indoors when pollution levels are high, or sticking to indoor exercises and activities, will surely help.

3. Intake of Folic Acid, as per the Doctor’s Prescription

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that pregnant women consume 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily. Research shows that women who take less folic acid during pregnancy may lead to their child developing Autism.

4. Space Out Pregnancies

Studies have found that pregnancies spaced between two and five years apart have the lowest chance of developing Autism. Research has shown that children who were conceived within 12 months of the first pregnancy were 50 per cent more likely to develop Autism. Autism risk also increases if the parents are older in age; therefore, consulting your doctor before starting a family is necessary.

5. Avoid Drinking Alcohol and Taking Drugs

Consumption of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy increases the chances of your child developing Autism. This is because the chemical properties present in these two can severely affect the development of a child’s brain and, hence, should not be consumed at any cost.

What are the ASD treatments available?

The importance of beginning supportive therapy as soon as feasible is acknowledged by doctors who treat ASD.

The objective is to improve toddlers’ social skills, lower their social anxiety, and curb their problematic behaviours. Typically, these services are provided to children up to three.

If not, all treatment plans will address and involve some form of speech, behaviour, and occupational therapy when autism spectrum disorder is mild to severe.

As kids age and start school, research has shown that many can benefit from specific Individualised Education Plans (IEPs), which share the same objectives of enhancing conduct, self-care, and communication.

Adolescent psychiatrists may also recommend medications to treat illnesses like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is frequently observed in ASD.

When it comes to specific therapy alternatives, applied behaviour analysis is one method many therapists, educational institutions, and doctors employ (ABA). In addition, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to promote healthy behaviours to teach and enhance several abilities.

Other types of treatment consist of:

• Development of social skills.
• Therapy for sensory integration.
• Occupational therapy.

Although searching for resources might occasionally feel overwhelming, remember that professional individuals can help those with ASD and their loved ones.

How to Help Someone with ASD?

It’s helpful to know how you can support someone with ASD while taking care of yourself and receiving professional support for them.

Here are some methods to assist, promote, and help your loved one develop their skills.

• Make them feel protected and loved.
• The most important aspect of providing care for someone with ASD is making them feel secure and loved.
• Be in touch with your group.
• Keeping in touch with your doctor, therapist, teachers, and other professionals will simplify completing your everyday responsibilities.

This may entail asking for advice on how to help your child continue to practise the skills they are learning in treatment so they can be more successful.

• Think about the environment: The severity of symptoms can vary depending on what you do at home. One tip is to maintain a predictable workplace. Another is to follow a schedule. Minimising sensory input at home, such as noise and activity level, is a good idea.
• Have on-the-go routines: When confronted with a new circumstance, plan ahead of time what might happen. This might facilitate a much easier transition. Bring familiar, cosy stuff with you.
• Slow it down: Provide information in a clear, concise manner. You should strive to be precise, clear, and concrete. Allow them time to answer.
• Promote constructive behaviour: To assist your child with timetables and daily duties, think about utilising visual aids. The behavioural strategies they are acquiring in therapy should be reinforced. We may celebrate the excellent stuff by recognising and applauding talents and skills.
• Keep up with the latest trends: Arming themselves with resources and trustworthy knowledge regarding autism is a crucial step that parents may take in order to support a child with ASD.
• Acknowledge neurodiversity: It’s critical to recognise and value neurodiversity when caring for a person with ASD. When you look at ASD through this perspective, it helps to eliminate the stigma that frequently goes along with the diagnosis and enables you to accept differences as normal rather than a disability.
• Look for a support group for people with autism: As you connect via shared experiences, reaching out to others in the community can help you acquire new knowledge, offer advice and ideas for handling situations, and feel encouraged.
• Spend some time on yourself: Set aside time each day for yourself. Self-care is essential to caring for someone, even just for a brief period, to exercise, read, or spend time with a friend.

When to See a Doctor

Every baby develops at their own pace and may not follow the exact milestones listed in parenting guides. However, children with autism spectrum disorder often exhibit signs of developmental delays within their first year.

If you suspect that your child may have ASD, discuss your concerns with your doctor. The symptoms associated with ASD can also be linked to other developmental disorders. Starting treatment as early as possible increases its effectiveness.

Your doctor might suggest developmental assessments to determine if your child has delays in cognitive, language, or social skills. If your child:

• Does not respond with a smile or show happy expressions by 6 months
• Does not imitate sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not make gestures like pointing or waving by 14 months
• Does not speak single words by 16 months
• Does not engage in pretend play or make-believe by 18 months
• Does not form two-word phrases by 24 months
• Loses previously learned language or social skills at any age

Frequently Asked Questions