What is Autism and why there are many cases of Autism?

Autism is a condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. It can affect social interaction, language development and physical behavior.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of related disorders including autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. These are lifelong conditions that affect people in different ways, but all cause problems with communication and social skills.

People with ASD may find it hard to understand other people’s feelings or talk about their own feelings. They may find it difficult to make friends or join in with others. They may also find it difficult to use spoken language to express themselves or have unusual interests or behaviors.

How common is autism?

Autism spectrum disorders are the most common serious developmental disability in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 males). About 1% of the world population has ASD. In the U.S., about 4 million people are affected by ASD, which means that about 1 out of every 68 children has been diagnosed with ASD as of 2018.

About autistic children and autism

Many autistic children have difficulty communicating, which can make it difficult for them to communicate their needs and wants. Some children may not speak at all.

Children with autism often develop obsessions and repetitive behaviors. They may also become very attached to certain objects or activities, such as spinning wheels or flapping their hands.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects brain function and behavior. It is one of five disorders classified under the broader term “pervasive developmental disorders” (PDDs). Autism spectrum disorders are generally diagnosed in early childhood and can last throughout life.

What causes autism?

Genetics: Genetics is one of the strongest factors linked to autism. If one identical twin has autism, there’s a 90% chance the other will too. In non-identical twins, if one has ASD, the other has only a 10% chance of having it.

Environment: Many environmental factors play a role in whether a child develops ASD:

Prenatal exposure to certain infections or viruses — including rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus — may increase risk for some children with autism. But these infections are rare in developed countries today and usually cause only mild illness if contracted after birth.

Maternal health: Maternal health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy increase risk for autism in children. So does exposure to air pollution during pregnancy; some studies have found associations between air pollution and increased rates of autism spectrum disorders, although not all studies have supported this idea.

Signs of autism

The signs of autism are often evident at an early age. Learn more about what to look for — and when to ask for help.

Most children with autism aren’t diagnosed until they’re 3 or 4 years old, but in some cases the first signs of autism appear in infancy or even before birth.

If you notice any of the following behaviors, talk to your child’s doctor.

The baby doesn’t make eye contact or seem interested in faces

The infant doesn’t respond to his or her name

Your baby doesn’t babble, point at objects or otherwise try to communicate by pointing, waving and touching

The baby doesn’t reach out for things he sees other people doing (such as waving good-bye) and seems disconnected from what’s going on around him

The baby doesn’t seem interested when people talk to him and rarely smiles at others’ smiles and laughter

The signs and symptoms of autism often appear early in childhood, although some features may not become apparent until later. They include:

Repetitive behaviors, such as rocking or twirling.

Difficulty communicating with others, including using words and gestures to express needs or wants; difficulty understanding what others are saying or asking; trouble carrying on simple conversations; and the inability to start or keep a conversation going. Children may use speech patterns that don’t sound like those of other children their age. They also might repeat certain words or phrases over and over again (echolalia).

Sensory issues, such as sensitivity to touch, sound or sight. For example, some children may dislike having their hair brushed or dislike clothes touching their skin. Others might be bothered by loud noises or strong smells of food cooking in the kitchen.

Concrete thinking patterns, which means they have trouble understanding abstract concepts like time.

Autism diagnosis

To diagnose autism, your child’s doctor may:

Ask you about your child’s behavior and development. Your doctor will ask questions like whether your child uses words and phrases, plays interactive games and has friends.

Ask you about your child’s interests and activities. The doctor may also ask if there are any repetitive behaviors your child exhibits — such as rocking back and forth — or if your child has certain sensory issues — such as a dislike of loud noises or strong smells.

Observe your child at home for signs of autism. A psychologist or another mental health professional might observe your child playing with toys or interacting with other children in order to get a better idea of how he or she behaves compared with other children his age. The psychologist might also ask questions while he observes your child to see how well the two interact with each other.

Request information from previous doctors’ visits and tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, which may have been done when you took your child in for other complaints but never had any results come back positive for any known condition that could cause these symptoms.

Autism and neurodiversity

Autism and neurodiversity are two concepts that often get confused. While both terms refer to a spectrum of neurological differences, they’re not interchangeable.

Neurodiversity is a movement that suggests there is no such thing as “normal” brain functioning — people are all different, and we should celebrate our differences rather than trying to make everyone fit into one box.

Treatment for Autism

Treatment for autism is focused on improving these symptoms and helping your child to become more independent and able to live a normal life. Treatment may include:

Behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches children new skills and provides strategies for dealing with specific behavioral problems. It can help improve social interaction and communication skills by teaching a child how to interact more appropriately with others and how to communicate his or her needs more effectively.

Medicines that affect the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs). These medicines help regulate moods, anxiety, sleep patterns, impulsivity, attention span and other behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These medicines are usually taken daily as an ongoing treatment for ASD symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence.