Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that manifests itself with difficulties in social interaction and communication, limited, repetitive interests and behaviors. This condition, which can have various effects on a person's cognitive and emotional development, can occur in different degrees of severity and forms.
Autism, a developmental disorder that continues throughout life, has a significant effect on the communication that individuals establish with their environment and especially with other people. Individuals with autism may have difficulty developing meaningful relationships with their environment.
Individuals with autism, who experience significant differences in social interaction, communication and imagination, may have different intelligence levels. 10-15% of people diagnosed with autism have normal or above-normal intelligence. 25-35% are in the category of borderline intelligence or mild mental retardation, while the remaining individuals may have moderate to severe intelligence levels.
Autism is one of the most common neurological disorders today. According to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while one in every 150 children was diagnosed with autism in 2006, this rate increased to one in every 59 children in 2018.
What are the Symptoms of Autism?
Autism does not occur in a single form; it has various subtypes that are affected by genetic and environmental factors. Since it is defined as a spectrum disorder, the abilities and difficulties faced by individuals with autism vary from person to person.
Although the symptoms of autism can usually be noticed in the first 18 months, they often become clear around the age of 2-3. Early diagnosis and intervention are of great importance in improving the future quality of life of an individual with autism.
The symptoms of autism can generally be listed as follows:
- Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling, or social skills
- Avoiding eye contact
- Difficulty speaking and listening
- Delayed language development
- Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
- Preferring to be alone all the time
- Difficulty understanding other people's emotions
- Resistance to routines or environmental changes
- Having narrow and focused interests
- Exhibiting repetitive behaviors (for example, flapping hands, rocking, or spinning objects)
- Excessive sensitivity to stimuli such as sound, smell, taste, texture, light, or color
Not every autistic individual may exhibit all of these symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to get a professional opinion for a correct evaluation.
Behaviors of Children with Autism
Tools such as the Modified Early Childhood Autism Screening Scale (M-CHAT) can be used to diagnose autism. This scale can help you understand whether a specialist should evaluate your child.
Early diagnosis and intervention are of critical importance in improving the quality of life of individuals with autism and managing symptoms. In our country, specialists who are authorized to diagnose autism are child mental health specialists and child neurologists.
Each individual with autism has their own unique strengths and challenges. Therefore, no single intervention or treatment method is suitable for everyone. Treatment plans should be tailored to the individual's specific needs.
Autism interventions may include behavioral treatments, medication, or a combination of these two methods. In addition, managing additional medical conditions such as sleep problems, seizures, and digestive system disorders, which are common in individuals with autism, can have positive effects on attention, learning, and behavioral development.
Various techniques can be used to improve the social relationships of individuals with autism and support their abilities. Applied Behavior Analysis, Relationship-Based Approaches, TEACCH method, Speech Therapy, Social Stories, Peer Teaching, and Mind Reading methods can be evaluated and applied by experts.
One of the most important factors in this process is the family's acceptance of the condition and the timely start of diagnosis and treatment. The active participation and support of the family can make a big difference in the development of the individual with autism.
Early Signs of Autism
Most children with autism can experience some differences in social and communication skills from infancy onwards. If the child is not talking by the age of 2 or if their behavior is significantly different from their peers, parents start to worry about this situation.
Most babies start smiling from time to time when they are around six months old. However, if a baby does not show any signs of contentment, the possibility of autism can be considered.
It can be very difficult for mothers to notice the early signs of autism. In addition, some autistic babies may develop normally until the age of one. Despite this, it is very important for parents to consult a specialist if they instinctively sense that something is wrong.
Behaviors such as making sounds (babble, babbling) and changing facial expressions are expected during the developmental process of babies. If a baby is not showing such developmental behaviors by the age of 10 months, this may be one of the early signs of autism.
Babies are usually prone to imitating their parents' movements or sounds. If a child has not yet developed speech by the age of 2, this may also be considered a symptom of autism.
Some babies may be able to make sounds or words normally until the age of 2, but may suddenly become silent. This may be one of the symptoms of autism.
In such a case, instead of believing in common beliefs such as "boys are late talkers", a specialist should definitely be consulted. A child who is 2 years old and still cannot say even a few words may have a different problem in his/her development, even if he/she does not have autism, and it is important to evaluate this situation.
If your child is 2 years old:
- Is uninterested in other children,
- Isn't willing to play games like "peek-a-boo" or "wrap around the reel" with you,
- Can't maintain eye contact for more than a second or two,
- Doesn't respond when you call his name or acts like he doesn't hear you,
- Walks around the house aimlessly,
- Doesn't look at an object when you point to it with your index finger,
- Doesn't come over to show you something,
You may be facing the symptoms of autism. In such cases, early diagnosis can make a positive difference in the child's development and provide a correct intervention plan.
The most prominent feature of autism is the child's inability to establish sufficient and appropriate eye contact and experiencing speech delay. There is no specific medication for autism. Some medications can help control autism symptoms. The most effective and positive developments in autism occur through effective special education interventions. Autism symptoms can start appearing in children as early as 6 months old. It can become more apparent by the ages of 2-3. Yes. Early diagnosis of autism allows the child to display minimal autism symptoms in later stages and progress positively in development. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a broad spectrum that includes various conditions. The prognosis depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms in individuals with autism.What is the most prominent feature of autism?
Is there a treatment for autism?
When can autism be recognized?
Can autism be diagnosed early?
How many types of autism are there?
