Being a parent or caregiver can be frustrating when you don’t understand what your child is going through. Autism affects people of all levels of intelligence and can result in various symptoms. A person with this disability can be of any age or race, of any gender, or any educational level.
Parents often feel they have no control over their children’s actions and can’t predict what will happen next. Even when you can see some signs of the condition, they might not be readily apparent or easily pinpointable. You may be confused by the symptoms and unsure if it is an illness, disorder, or phase your child is going through.
That’s why understanding autism is crucial to helping your loved one. In this guide, we will provide you with some basic information about autism. Here, you will learn about the different types of autism and the signs and causes to look for.
What is Autism?
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this developmental disability affects a person’s ability to communicate with others and relate to those around them as well as how they make sense of the world. ASD can manifest as a minor problem or pose major challenges requiring full-time care.
Autistic people may have difficulty interacting with others, communicating effectively, and imagining alternative realities. They may also show unusual reactions to sensory stimuli such as touch or sound. This makes them seem aloof, distant and detached. They can also have trouble tolerating changes in routine and may become stressed by too much stimulation. This may make them appear inflexible or stubborn.
Learning difficulties can be severe, and many autistic people have trouble processing language. They may repeat words or phrases in a monotone voice, misuse them to communicate or fail to develop spoken language. Some autistic children also have problems interacting with others and will act out aggressively or withdraw from social interactions.
Moreover, autistic children may have distinctive physical features. Facial features, such as a flat or wide nose, unusually prominent eyes, or a large head, can be found in some people with this condition.
What Are the Signs of Autism?
There are numerous signs that could be associated with autism spectrum disorders. Some children may not display symptoms until later in life, but the most common signs usually appear during early childhood. Early diagnosis of autism increases the likelihood of treatment benefiting the child.
The following are the different types of signs that could indicate ASD:
- Lack of eye contact
- Repetitive behaviors, like hand flapping or rocking back and forth
- A lack of interest in social interactions (playing with other kids)
- Problems communicating verbally
- They don’t respond when their name is called.
- They don’t point at objects when they want something.
- They don’t look at objects when another person points at them.
- They don’t play pretend games (for example, pretending a blanket is a cape)
- Trouble adapting to changes in routine
- Highly sensitive to sounds, touches, smells, or sights that other people do not perceive as unusual
- Trouble understanding or using speech, gestures, facial expressions, voice tone, or it is difficult for you to convey information.
- Not wanting to be held or cuddled.
What Are the Different Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders?
ASD can be classified into five main types, each characterized by different symptoms and behaviors. The different types of autism spectrum disorders are:
1. Asperger Syndrome:
Children with Asperger syndrome have difficulty reading social cues and understanding the emotions of others. They often have trouble making eye contact and understanding basic nonverbal communication (e.g., facial expressions). Although they can speak, they often talk at inappropriate times or in a monotone voice without inflection.
They often need help with motor skills like running or jumping because they need help understanding how to coordinate their movements. They may also exhibit repetitive behaviors like flapping their hands and rocking back and forth.
They tend to score poorly on intelligence tests that test abstract thinking and can be clumsy. Asperger syndrome is characterized by normal or above-average intelligence but severe social awkwardness and poor nonverbal communication.
2. Kanner’s Syndrome:
This type of autism is also known as Classic Autistic Disorder; It is a form of autism that typically appears in early childhood, and delays in language development, social skills, and emotional expression characterize it.
Children with Kanner’s Syndrome tend to be extremely withdrawn and often very sensitive to touch and loud noises. They also have trouble communicating with others and engaging in imaginative play.
Also, have difficulty communicating with others using words or gestures such as pointing to objects or telling stories about their day at school; instead, they might repeat what someone else just said without adding any details about their own thoughts and feelings on the subject being discussed.
3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is another type of ASD characterized by delays in developing social skills and language abilities. PDD-NOS includes many different disorders with similar symptoms, but no specific cause has been identified for their development.
PDD-NOS is often diagnosed when a child does not qualify for autism or Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis. A doctor will look for symptoms, including difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, unusual patterns of behavior, and limited interests.
4. Rett’s Syndrome:
A neurological disorder that usually appears in girls around the age of 6 months. Rett’s syndrome is characterized by a loss of function in the brain’s motor areas. There will be regressive behavior, a loss of knowledge, and a loss of skills like crawling or walking, which may accompany seizures and breathing problems. As the disease progresses, it can cause lifelong mental illness.
Over time, Rett syndrome causes a progressive loss of muscle control, coordination, and language skills in children. It can cause seizures and intellectual disabilities. People with this condition sometimes develop unusual hand movements, such as repetitive rubbing or clapping—instead of using their hands normally.
5. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare, severe form of autism. It causes significant loss in language, social skills, and play skills, and it usually begins before age 10. Children with this disorder may show signs of normal development at first, but they gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, or use their hands. They also lose the ability to participate in activities that they once enjoyed. As with other types of autism, there’s no known cause for childhood disintegrative disorder.
Kids with CDD experience a marked regression in their development, often losing skills they had already mastered. The main signs are a loss of language, social skills, and play skills. Each individual has a different level of severity of the disease.
What Are the Causes of Autism?
The exact cause of autism is not known. However, there are a few factors that have been linked to the development of autism. The following are some of the causes of autism:
1. Genetic Factors:
Genetics plays a significant role in autism. A child with a parent or sibling with autism is four times more likely to develop the disorder than one who does not have these family members. Autism is also associated with certain chromosomal abnormalities.
Genetic causes of autism include:
• A change in certain genes that make it hard for the brain to process information correctly
• A defect in a specific gene (called MECP2) that controls how neurons develop in the brain
2. Environmental Factors:
While environmental factors cannot cause autism on their own, they may play a role in its development by triggering or exacerbating other factors involved in the disorder’s onset.
Genes aren’t the only thing that can contribute to autism. Environmental factors also contribute to whether or not someone develops the disorder. Some environmental factors include:
• Exposure to harmful chemicals at an early age
• Exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy
• A premature birth
3. Other Risk Factors:
Other factors can also play a role in whether or not someone develops autism. Lifestyle choices, such as eating unhealthy foods, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using drugs, can all increase a person’s risk of developing autism. Other factors that may play a role include
• Having certain medical conditions when you are pregnant, such as diabetes or heart disease
• Being exposed to toxins in the workplace or at home
Conclusion:
No one knows what causes autism. Although some children develop autism after exposure to harmful chemicals or viruses, most do not. The symptoms of autism appear in many different combinations in seemingly unrelated children.
However, the goal is to identify each child’s particular combination of symptoms and devise an individualized treatment plan to address them. Autism cannot be cured, but treatment can promote significant improvement in the lives of children and their families.
At Hanei Health Solutions, we are dedicated to helping children with autism reach their full potential. Our team is trained in the latest treatment methods and works hard to provide the best care possible for each child.
If you think your child may have autism, don’t wait another day; contact us today for a consultation.
