AUTISM

Hello everyone, this month is designated as World Autism Awareness month and I want to throw light on Autism.

Imagine you have been to an unknown place and at a portion where you can neither understand what the people are saying nor express your views. You were trying hard to convey your feelings but failed in all the aspects. You would feel abandoned, frustrated, depressed, helpless and what not. Have you ever thought of a person who is facing this situation at every point in his life? Yes, they exists not one but around 1 million people only in India and their condition is termed as Autism.

What is Autism?

It is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by impaired social interaction verbal and non-verbal communication.

The recognized disorders are:

1. Information processing in brain.

2. Asperser syndrome –delay in cognitive development and language.

3. Pervasive development –if the above few criteria are not met.

Characteristics:

Each individual with autism is unique. On the autism spectrum about 40% have exceptional abilities in visual skills and music where as others can’t live independently.

1. Sensory sensitivity:

They have issues in sensing either one or more senses out of five. They can be either hypersensitive or hyposensitive.

Ex: They find background noises unbearably loud and distracting.

They may not feel pain or extreme temperature.

        The body awareness system doesn’t function properly such as it would be harder to navigate rooms, avoid obstructions. They can’t stand at appropriate distance from other people.

1. Learning disabilities:

They can’t understand as they can’t communicate. These may also include dyslexia and dyspraxia.

How is it diagnosed?

Though they don’t look disabled, other people might think they are naughty. They might be experiencing difficulties with

1. Social communication:

They can’t interpret verbal and non-verbal languages. They may not speak and prefer alternative means of communication such as visual symbols.(sign language)

1. Social interaction:

They appear to be insensitive because they can’t recognize feelings. They seek out time alone when overloaded by people and behave strangely.

1. Restricted and repetitive behavior and interest:

They aren’t comfortable with the idea of change. They have interests such as art, music or computers and pursue their happiness.

Causes of autism:

There is no one cause; scientists have identified a number of rare genes changes or mutation associated. The events before and during birth also effects the risk factors.

Perspective of autism people:

They say the world is overwhelming. They wonder why they are different. It is said that people can build rapport with like people but in their case it is not true.

Cure:

There is no cure yet found but with the right sort of support they can live fulfilling life. Parents should make them inculcate hobbies eventually which help them in earning their bread.

This article is dedicated to all the parents who are supporting these people. As they have accepted it as a difference but not as a disorder.

#autism