Autism Symptoms Risk Factors and Treatment
Autistic Kid |
Autism:
Autistic Disorder (commonly known as Autism) is a developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication usually manifested in childhood.Autism usually manifests within the first two years of a person’s life but can be diagnosed well into adulthood.
Characteristics of persons with Autism:
- Social problems with difficulty in communicating
- Difficulty in forming friendships with peers
- Repetitive Behavior
- Bizarre Mannerism
- Strict adherence to purposeless activities
- Mental Retardation present in 75% of autistic children but some may have exceptional IQ’s
- Inability to form a bond with parents and siblings
- Inability to maintain normal eye contact during conversation
- Showing great anger routine is disturbed
- Talking at length about a favorite topic without regard for other person’s interest.
Risk Factors of Autism:
- More common in boys
- Increased chances when a sibling is affected with autism or other mental disorder
- Increased mother age(> 35)
- Maternal infection with Rubella virus
- Encephalitis
- Fragile X syndrome
- Trauma during pregnancy
- Phenylketonuria
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Down Syndrome
Physical Findings in Autism:
- Abnormal EEG
- Seizures
- Abnormal Brain Morphology
- Failure of speech development.
Management and Treatment of Autism:
- Family Counseling and therapy
- Special Education if IQ below average
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Behavioral Therapy.
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