Autism

A developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behaviour

Child psychology and Autism

Understanding someone’s psychology is a very difficult task in itself especially when it comes to children there’s always a little more confusion.
Child psychology is really a big mystery. It is quite difficult to understand the mood of the child even when he has no psychological upsets. Just think how difficult is to understand a child suffering from autism. Autism is a rare variety of developmental disorders seen in early childhood.

Autism and its basic symptoms

Few classic features of autism are:-
• The child is unable to respond as he doesn’t understands certain things.
• Odd behaviour.
• Disorder of language.
• Unable to learn basic etiquettes.
• Unusual interest in objects.
• Great variation in abilities, etc.

It is also associated with emotional disorder like showing anger or fear suddenly without any particular cause. These children can be hypoactive or hyperactive. The child does not like to speak even a word, he just cries loudly for hours if he is hungry or thirsty. The child is very obstinate, if his demands are not met, he just cry and roll down on the floor. When he starts crying he cannot be stopped for hours together and is very destructive and throws things around. In few cases, disliking for clothes is there, they want to throw away the wearing.

What are the early signs of autism?

The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviours become obvious as late as age 2 or 3.

Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few. That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.

The following may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder:

By 6 months

• Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful and engaging expressions
• Limited or no eye contact

By 9 months

• Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions

By 12 months

• Little or no babbling
• Little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
• Little or no response to name

By 16 months

• Very few or no words

By 24 months

• Very few or no meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating)

Understanding Autism

• These children cannot distinguish between right or wrong habits e.g. If the child is thirsty he would drink water straight from the tap.
• He is physically restless, always doing something and cannot sit at one place.
• They utter something which cannot be understood.
• The child has aversion to be talked, he plays or writes himself.
• Few have difficulty in speech.
• They are offended easily.
• They do fruitless and useless activities. Causeless crying is also a marked feature, etc.

These symptoms varies in every child suffering from autism more or less according to the constitutional built up and of course the root cause behind it. The mental status of every person makes his own identity.

Understanding ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders.

When should one get evaluated for autism ?

As for autism, studies demonstrate that behavioural signs can begin to emerge as early as 6 to 12 months. However, most professionals who specialize in diagnosing the disorder won’t attempt to make a definite diagnosis until 18 months.

1. Understand the Changeable First Year.
   As for autism, studies demonstrate that behavioural signs can begin to emerge as early as 6 to 12 months. However, most professionals who specialize in diagnosing the disorder won’t attempt to make a definite diagnosis until 18 months. This is because autism symptoms can continue to emerge – or fade away – until around 24 months. At that time, we say that an autism diagnosis tends to become “stable.”
2. Recognize the Range.
   That said, some children canbe diagnosed earlier than 24 months. I once saw a 14-month-old boy who wasn’t babbling, making eye contact or engaging in social games. He played only in a highly repetitive fashion. By the time he was 18 months old, his autism diagnosis was very clear, and he responded well to early intervention. It’s also important to remember that many high-functioning children with autism aren’t diagnosed until they enter school and start struggling socially.

3. Trust Your Parental Instincts.
   Importantly, research shows that parents are good at picking up on early signs of autism. So if you’re concerned, ask your doctor for a referral to a developmental paediatrician or psychologist who specializes in the disorder.

How prevalent is Autism in India?

1 in 500 or 0.20% or more than 2,160,000 people in India. Incidence Rate: Approx. 1 in 90,666 or 11,914 people in India. Incidence extrapolations for India for Autism: 11,914 per year, 250 per month, 57 per week, 8 per day, 1.4 per hour.

What causes Autism and how is it caused?

There is no known single cause for autism spectrum disorder, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism compared to in neurotypical children.

We know that there’s no one cause of autism. Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will develop autism.

Most common genetic cause of Autism?

Known single-gene and chromosomal disorders associated with autism include Angelman syndrome, chromosome 15 duplication syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and—the most common known single-gene cause of autism—Fragile X syndrome (FXS).

Is there a connection between vaccines and Autism ?

No, there is no connection between vaccines and autism. Autism is a condition that affects the brain and makes communicating and interacting with other people more difficult. The cause(s) of autism is unknown. But genetics, differences in brain anatomy, and toxic substances in the environment are thought to contribute to children developing the condition. Vaccines contain heavy metals like Mercury and Aluminium Hydroxide. Heavy metal toxicity is one of the favouring factor for Autism.

The mental and physical state of mother during pregnancy must be studied thourghly in cases of Autism.

Treatments available for Autism?

• Behavioural management therapy
• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• Early intervention
• Educational and school-based therapies
• Joint attention therapy
• Medication treatment
• Nutritional therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Parent-mediated therapy
• Physical therapy
• Social skills training
• Speech-language therapy

Homeopathic treatment for Autism.

Homoeopathy is a science which follows individualization. As every child is made up of mind, body and soul i.e. trinity of life so the treatment for any disease should cover the body as well as mind.
Homoeopathy pays more importance to the mental symptoms in every disease.
It considers emotions, liking disliking, modalities anger in the study of every disease. After taking the complete history of hereditary background and family environment, the history of mother during pregnancy homoeopathic medicines can give better results in autism, as it is a disease of psychological origin.
Homeopathy treatment has the ability to significantly improve, if not completely reverse or cure, in all cases, the signs of Autism making your child ready to cope with day-to- day challenges.

Role of diet and nutrition in Autism ?

According to the Autism Network, nearly one in five children with autism are on a special diet. There is no specific ASD diet, but removing certain proteins may relieve symptoms. The gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet has the most research and is one of the most common dietary interventions.

What Is Cease Therapy For Autism?

Cease therapy, which stands for Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression, is advertised as a method that can rid children of “toxic imprints” from vaccines and other substances, which homeopaths believe cause autism. Dr. Smits discovered in his practice with over 300 cases the foundation of CEASE therapy and came to his hypothesis of what causes autism. In his experience autism is an accumulation of different causes and about 70% is due to vaccines, 25% to toxic medication and other toxic substances, 5% to some diseases. With isotherapy, a form of homeopathy using the causative substances themselves in homeopathic preparation, the toxic imprints can be erased.

“Autism . . . offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by.” – Dr. Colin Zimbleman, Ph.D.