Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder known as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) affecting many parts of a person’s life. People with ASD appear to have difficulties to socialize, communicate and interact with others. They may have limited interests and activities and they find it hard to develop friendships as is their capacity to understand other people’s emotional expression. Furthermore boys are at higher risk for autism, with nearly one in 42 boys
Some names that are used to describe Autistic people are:
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Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
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Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
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Asperger syndrome
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High functioning autism
Doctors can diagnose ASD by looking at a child’s behavior and development. Autistic symptoms typically recognized in the first two years of a child’s life. It is important to say that not all people with ASD will show all of these behaviors, but most will show several. Although it is popular believed that ASD people have low intelligence some do have average or above average intelligence and characterized by the Asperger Syndrome.
In general ASD people show repetitive behaviors that include:
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Repeating certain behaviors and unusual behaviors
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Focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects
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Intense interests in certain topics, such as numbers, details and facts.
Their social communication behaviors include:
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Being upset by a slight change in a routine
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Deny to be placed in a new or overly stimulating setting
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Find it hard to make eye contact
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If they lack speech they point or show objects or activities to others as a result of joy
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They tend to respond in an unusual way when others show anger or distress
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They fail to respond to someone calling their
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It is difficult for them to follow a big conversation especially the back and forth of conversations
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Having an unusual tone of voice
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Having trouble understanding another person’s point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people’s actions
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And the most known behavior is when they repeat words or phrases that they hear, a behavior called echolalia
Unfortunately scientists don’t know the exact causes of ASD yet, but many studies suggest that genes and environment play important roles. There’s no treatment as ASD in a development disorder though early diagnose can prevent kids from being unable to socialize and live a natural and independent life.
By Eirini Konstantopoulou, Truth Inside Of You.
