|
Autism was first
studied in 1943 by a child psychiatrist named Leo Kanner. He published
a monograph outlining a curious set of behaviors he noticed in
11 children at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He named
the condition autism - from the Greek word for self, autòs
- because these children seemed to withdraw into iron-walled universes
of their own.
Autism is also called
Autistic Disorder or Classical Autism. It is the most severe form
of ASD.
Individuals with autism
experience difficulties in three main areas called the triad of
impairments. Autism is characterized by a triad of impairments.
The triad includes:
- Deficits in social interaction
- Deficits in communication
- A restricted repertoire of activity and interests.
When the triad of
behaviors is observed before the child is 3 years of age, the
child is said to have Autism.
Children with autism
are observed to lack eye contact. As babies they may have awkward
postures or may either resist being carried or may want to be
hugged excessively. They may not point, show, bring or share enjoyment
of objects of interest to them. As young children they may show
little or no interest in establishing friendships and may also
appear oblivious to the presence of other children or adults.Older
individuals may have an interest in friendship but may lack the
understanding of the conventions of social interactions. They
tend to prefer solitary activities. They may also show no recognition
of the needs of others, or may not notice another person’s
happiness or distress.
Individuals with autism
have difficulty in both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (gesturing,
facial expressions) communication. Language is often delayed or
there is a total lack of language.
Individuals who do speak have difficulty in using language to
communicate. They may have a monotonous voice and the pitch, intonation,
rate and rhythm may be abnormal. Often, there is a tendency to
repeat words or phrases regardless of the meaning. These individuals
often sing jingles from commercials or popular television serials.
They are unable to understand simple questions, directions or
jokes.Children with autism have inappropriate play patterns. There
is a tendency not to imitate childhood imitation games or if they
do, it is only out of context and in a mechanical way. They lack
spontaneous make-believe or pretend play.
Individuals with
autism also exhibit repetitive (stereotyped) and restricted behaviors,
interests and activities. These behaviors are intense and focused.
Some individuals may line up objects in the same manner over and
over. Some may be preoccupied with interests such as fans or escalators,
numbers, letters, or even with collecting facts about pet topics.
Some maybe preoccupied with movement or parts of objects-spinning
the wheels of a toy car, strings, and pieces of paper. Some may
even be attached to objects that they unreasonably insist on carrying
with them at all times.
There maybe a tendency
to keep to daily routines such as the order of getting dressed
or maintaining the same place at the dinner table or even keeping
to the same route to school everyday. Sometimes even minor changes
in the environment may result in these individuals reacting adversely
and throwing tantrums.
Stereotyped body movements
such as clapping, finger flicking, or rocking of the body, abnormal
postures like tip toe walking, odd hand movements may also be
present.
Some individuals with
autism have islets of intelligence that often supercede those
of normal individuals. Some may be gifted in areas of music, art
or even maths.
Some parents report that children developed normally till one
or two years of age before manifesting characteristics. Some report
a regression in language development. However, to be diagnosed
as having autism, if there is a period of normal development,
it cannot extend past three years of age.
::
Diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis can be made through standardized diagnostic
checklists. One such checklist is the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual. 1994.
:: Incidence
One out of one hundred and fifty children has been estimated
to have autism, as per some surveys in the USA. India does not
have an epidemiological study yet to determine the prevalence
of autism in the country.
::
Cause
The assumption that autism was a result of ‘bad’ parenting
has long been done away with. One of the known and proven etiological
premises about autism is that it is genetic. Currently, scientists
are trying to locate the autism gene and many researches say that
three to five genes are likely to be associated with autism.
It has also been established
that autism is a neurobiological disorder. This means that damage
has occurred in some area of the brain. This could have occurred
during the pre natal or perinatal period of development as a result
of- allergies, reactions to chemicals, medicines and the presence
of other illnesses in the mother. There is also evidence that
there is an increased risk in having an autistic child after exposure
to rubella during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Evidence
suggests that environmental toxins could possibly lead to autism.
::
Education
Evidence suggests that Applied Behavior Analysisis the most effective
in teaching children with autism to learn social skills, communicative
skills and behavior management.Autism is a spectrum disorder and
hence children with ASD require structured teaching and appropriate
placement in settings that meet their needs. Thus, for some special
schools are suitable, for others mainstream education is appropriate
along with special support, and yet for others schools exclusively
catering to needs of those with autism are what are required.
Such services thus contribute towards improving the lives of individuals
and families with ASD, enabling them to live productive, meaningful
and dignified lives.
::
Language and Communication Therapy
Many children with autism are non-verbal. Others, who do have
speech are unable to use their speech to communicate effectively.
They tend to repeat sentences, words that they have heard before.
It is important to teach children to communicate effectively.Studies
have shown that the use of visual strategies and Alternative Augmentative
Communication (AAC) enhances the language and communication of
children with autism. The Makaton Language Program and the Picture
Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) are examples of AAC.
::
Sensory Integration Therapy
Children with autism have sensory integration difficulties.
This means that there is difficulty in processing information
that they receive through their senses - tactile vestibular and
proprioceptive systems.
::
Disorders on the Autism Spectrum
|
