Autism Spectrum Disorder

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by the differences in the brain which affects how people communicate and interact with others. People with ASD often have difficulty understanding social cues and may have difficulty making friends. They may also have trouble with eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures. Also, people with ASD may be more sensitive to sensory experiences, like sounds, lights, or textures. 

ASD can start to develop in early childhood, usually by the age of two or three. Some children with ASD may develop normally for the first few months or years of life and then start showing symptoms later on. Other children may show signs of ASD from birth or infancy.  Some of the early signs of ASD include delayed speech, not responding to their name, and not looking at faces.  These are often not obvious at first, but become more noticeable over time. 

ASD can also affect adults in many ways, and the symptoms may change as people get older. Some common signs of ASD in adults include difficulty making and keeping friends, problems with holding a job, and challenges with everyday tasks, like grocery shopping or making a phone call.  Adults with ASD may also have problems understanding sarcasm, body language, or humor.  



Signs And Symptoms of ASD

  • Delayed movement skills 
  • Delayed language development
  • Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
  • Difficulty understanding language and non verbal cues like facial expression and gesture
  • Difficulty understanding sarcasm, humor, or metaphor
  • Repetitive behavior, such as spinning
  • Little eye contact
  • Repeating words or phrase (echolalia)
  • Very specific interests 
  • Intense reaction to minor changes in routine or surrounding

Causes And Risk Factors Of Developing ASD 

There is no one known cause of ASD, but studies suggest that a person’s genes can act together with aspects of their environment to affect development in ways that lead to ASD. 

Genetics: Genetics play a role in causing ASD in a few different ways. Researchers have identified some specific genes that may be linked to ASD. Some of these genes are involved in the development of the brain, while others affect the way the brain uses the chemical messenger serotonin. Other possible genetic causes include deletions or duplications of large sections of DNA. 

Some possible genetic causes include mutations in certain genes and Rett syndrome Or fragile X syndrome.
Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously. 

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors may also play a role in the development of ASD. One of such factor is advanced parental age. Children born to older parents are at a higher risk of developing ASD. This may be due to the increased chance of mutations in the parents' genes or the increased chance of complications during pregnancy.  Other environmental factors that may play a role include complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or low birth weight. Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as lead, may also increase the risk of ASD.
Some other factors that are associated with an increased likelihood of developing ASD include: 
  • Having a sibling with ASD
  • Having a low birth weight 
  • Certain infections and head injuries
  • Having a history of developmental delays or having certain medical conditions
How can ASD Be Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of ASD can usually be reliable at the age of 2. The earlier the diagnosis, the  sooner the treatment can begin.

Diagnosis in children and Adolescents 

ASD can be diagnosed in children as early as 18 months, though most diagnoses are made between the ages of 2 and 4. This diagnosis is made by a team of professionals, including pediatricians, psychologists, and speech therapists who would observe the child and ask questions about their behavior, development, and medical history. They may also use standardized diagnostic tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The ADOS is a structured, standardized assessment that is used to diagnose ASD in children and adults.  It involves observing the person's social and communication skills in a series of activities and play-based scenarios.  The person is then given a score based on their performance on the assessment. This score is then used to determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria for ASD.  

Diagnosis in Adults

Diagnosing ASD in adults is often more difficult than diagnosing ASD in children.  This is because adults with ASD may have learned to mask their symptoms over time, or they may have other mental health conditions that make the diagnosis more difficult. 
For adults who may have ASD, the first step is to talk to a Psychologist or mental health professional.  The expert may ask about the Their;
  • Social interactions
  • Communication
  • Sensory issues
  • Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.  
The Psychologist or neurologist may also refer the adult to a specialist for further evaluation.  The specialist may use some of the same evaluation tools as for children, or may use different tools that are more appropriate for adults.  

Dealing with ASD can be very challenging as it affects how a person behaves which can cause difficulties in our interactions with others. If you think you may have ASD, it's important to talk to a doctor or a mental health professional. 

We'll talk more about the different types of Autism spectrum disorder on my next post. Stay tuned for more.
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