Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms and Treatment in Vijayawada

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

DSM‐5 Criteria for ASD

A. PERSISTENT DEFICITS IN SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION ACROSS CONTEXTS, NOT ACCOUNTED FOR BY GENERAL DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, AND MANIFEST BY 3 OF 3 SYMPTOMS:

A1. Deficits in social‐emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction.

A2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated‐ verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body‐language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.

A3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people

B. RESTRICTED, REPETITIVE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR, INTERESTS, OR ACTIVITIES AS MANIFESTED BY AT LEAST 2 OF 4 SYMPTOMS:

B1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).

B2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).

B3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).

B4. Hyper‐or hypo‐reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).

C. SYMPTOMS MUST BE PRESENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (BUT MAY NOT BECOME FULLY MANIFEST UNTIL SOCIAL DEMANDS EXCEED LIMITED CAPACITIES).

D. SYMPTOMS TOGETHER LIMIT AND IMPAIR EVERYDAY FUNCTIONING.

Severity Level for ASD	Social Communication	Restricted Interests & Repetitive Behaviors
Level 3 ‘Requiring very substantial support’	Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning; very limited initiation of social interactions and minimal response to social overtures from others.	Preoccupations, fixated rituals and/or repetitive behaviors markedly interfere with functioning in all spheres. Marked distress when rituals or routines are interrupted; very difficult to redirect from fixated interest or returns to it quickly.
Level 2 ‘Requiring substantial support	Marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills; social impairments apparent even with supports in place; limited initiation of social interactions and reduced or abnormal response to social overtures from others.	RRBs and/or preoccupations or fixated interests appear frequently enough to be obvious to the casual observer and interfere with functioning in a variety of contexts. Distress or frustration is apparent when RRB’s are interrupted; difficult to redirect from fixated interest.
Level 1 ‘Requiring support’	Without supports in place, deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments. Has difficulty initiating social interactions and demonstrates clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful responses to social overtures of others. May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions.	Rituals and repetitive behaviors (RRB’s) cause significant interference with functioning in one or more contexts.Resists attempts by others to interrupt RRB’s or to be redirected from fixated interest.

Causes

There is no single known cause for autism spectrum disorder. Given the complexity of the disorder and the wide range of symptoms and severity, there are likely multiple causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

Genetics

Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. In some children, autism spectrum disorder may be linked to a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or Fragile X syndrome. In other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Other genes may affect brain development, the way brain cells communicate, or determine the severity of symptoms. Some genetic mutations appear to be inherited, while others occur naturally.

Environmental factors

Researchers are currently studying whether factors such as viral infections, medications, complications during pregnancy, and air pollutants may play a role in t he development of autism spectrum disorder.

Risk Factor

The number of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is increasing. It is not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting, an increase in the number of cases, or both.

The child's gender: Boys are about four times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than girls.

Family history: Families with a child with autism spectrum disorder are at increased risk for having other children with the disorder.

Other disorders: Children with certain medical conditions are at higher risk than the general population for developing autism spectrum disorder or autism-like symptoms. Examples include Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disabilities; Tuberous sclerosis, a disease in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder found almost exclusively in girls that causes slowed head growth, mental retardation, and loss of intentional use of the hands. Extremely premature babies: Babies born before 26 weeks of pregnancy may be at higher risk for autism spectrum disorder.

Parental age: There may be a link between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but more research is needed to establish this link.

Treatment There is currently no one standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But there are many ways to help minimize the symptoms and maximize abilities. People who have ASD have the best chance of using all of their abilities and skills if they receive appropriate therapies and interventions. The most effective therapies and interventions are often different for each person. However, most people with ASD respond best to highly structured and specialized programs. In some cases, treatment can greatly reduce symptoms and help people with autism with daily activities.

Some of the therapies include:

• Behavioral management therapy and Cognitive behavior therapy

• Early intervention

• Educational and school-based therapies

• Joint attention therapy

• Medication treatment

• Occupational therapy

• Parent-mediated therapy

• Social skills training

• Speech-language therapy