In
today’s world everyone is quite familiar with the word Autism due to the
powerful and easily accessible media and internet. According
to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism
now affects about 1 in 68 children. That is a startling statistic,
considering the rate was estimated at 1 in 88 in 2007 and 1 in 1,000 just ten
years ago.
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| Autism affects 1 in 68 children |
The rise in number of ASD has nothing to do
with the environmental changes or personal conditions rather it is mainly due
to more awareness and knowledge about ASD.
ASD was
always there, however, we were not very well equipped to identify it and
was often misdiagnosed with different type of mental conditions.
Presently, we
have better tools and training to differentiate ASD
from
mental problems and other specific disorder such as ADHD, Developmental delay,
Coordination Disorder and Specific Speech and Language Disorder. Secondly,
research has established that ASD is a genetic related neurodevelopmental
problem and therefore this could also be one of the factors for its rise with
the increase in population.
Many
researchers suggest that ASD can be identified from as early
as 6 months of age where the parents suspect delay in motor skills and social communication.
The
advantages
of early diagnosis is that one can intervene early as the brain is still in a
developing stage and as we know now that our brain is like plastic and can be
modified and changed with intervention.
Red
Flags to look for when child is between 6 and
12 months old.
* If your baby cries incessantly and for no
reasons.
* If the baby is too passive and does not
respond.
* The child does not respond to smile when
approached by parent/caregiver.
* The child is oblivious of his environment
and does not respond to sound/name.
* The child has no interest in imitating
sounds or movements of others.
* Speech is significantly delayed and does
not make any sound.
* Does not use gestures for communication.
* Eye contact is very poor.
* Seeks your attention infrequently and
need based.
* Tendency to stiffen arms, legs or
displays unusual body movements.
* Does not reach up toward you when you
reach to pick them up.
* Delays in motor development.
* No interest in toys or only interested in
a part of a toy.
* Interested to be spun around.
* Obsessional engagement in
activity/objects.
“If
signs of Autism are noted
in the child, it is strongly recommended to contact a Child Clinical Psychologist”
One
has to be very careful while going for an intervention as there are many
therapies available in the market that have no research evidence to support.
Innocent parents/caregivers
who are desperate to get help for their children are deceived by these so
called therapists of a complete/partial cure by following their intervention
plan. For
them it is a money making business at the cost of other sufferings. There are
doctors who would advise medication for children with ASD.
However, psychosocial intervention
which includes Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy
is strongly recommended as research indicates (counter) negative results with
the use of medication.
“Children with autism need intensive intervention using specialized program”
What
parents need to understand……
* The child can respond well,
if parents / caregiver start spending quality time with him/her, especially
for those who are at risk.
* They need to engage the
child in play. Children with ASD find playing very challenging and need
a lot of input in this area.
* It is important that the
parents / caregiver take out at least 30 minutes of their time every day and
sit with the child on the floor and engage them in play that includes sharing,
turn taking, and imitational / role play.
* Also, it is important to
provide opportunities for children to interact with other children and
therefore enroll them in a play group, Montessori, etc. Initially these sessions should be of a short
duration depending upon the child’s ability to stay in a strange environment
and gradually build it.
“The earlier the detection the better is the outcome and prognosis”
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