This Tuesday (2), the World Autism Awareness Day . The date was created in 2007 by the UN (United Nations) to disseminate information about the TEA (Autism Spectrum Disorder ), promoting education about the condition and reducing prejudice about who has the diagnosis.
ASD is a human neurodevelopmental disorder and is characterized by difficulties in communication It is social interaction . These difficulties can occur at different levels and can compromise language, social behavior and the ability to express oneself. Furthermore, people with autism often have a restricted range of interests and carry out activities repeatedly.
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), one in every 100 children is diagnosed with ASD . In general, the condition is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Therefore, it is important for parents to pay attention to the main warning signs.
According to experts consulted by CNN , signs of autism can vary from one child to another. Furthermore, they can be observed in different age groups.
“There are people whose ASD can only be seen more clearly between the ages of 6 and 8, when they begin to become fixated on certain subjects, such as a specific interest in planes or the subway, for example”, explains Erasmo Casella, neurologist. of childhood and adolescence and member of SBNI (Brazilian Society of Child Neurology).
On the other hand, there are cases in which Signs can be noticed in the first months of life . “There are children who don’t look their mother straight in the eye while they are breastfeeding. This is a suggestive sign of autism, but it does not necessarily mean that the child has the disorder. But you need to keep an eye on it”, warns the expert.
Casella further explains that It is possible to notice warning signs in the first year of age . “In this track, she is already clapping, saying goodbye, pointing with her finger at what interests her. In children with ASD, there is a significant delay in this development. There are cases where the child is one year and three months old and still does not have this behavior,” she explains. “But the most important sign is eye contact, which may not last more than three seconds,” she adds.
Main warning signs of autism
According to the DSM manual, one of the most used for diagnosing psychiatric disorders, the diagnosis of autism is made based on the existence of difficulties in language and social communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. This is what Victoria Albertazzi, clinical specialist at Genial Care, a care network specializing in children with ASD and their families, explains.
“The manual clarifies that the signals may not be fully expressed until the demands exceed the individual's capabilities in that particular area or, even, the individual learns strategies that promote behavior closer to that considered typical”, he explains.
Among the main warning signs of autism they are:
- Difficulty in language and social interaction : difficulty maintaining and establishing eye contact, delay in verbal and non-verbal communication, difficulty engaging in joint activities and establishing social exchanges;
- Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior : demonstration of fixed and rigid interests, in which the child always wants to talk about the same topic or play with the same toys, having little flexibility and interest in other topics and activities;
- Difficulty with changes in routine and a strong attachment to rituals.
Furthermore, it is common for people with ASD have altered sensitivity to sensory stimuli , such as lights, sounds, textures and smells. “It is possible to see this through behaviors that occur to reduce or alter contact with stimuli, such as placing the hand over the ears, squinting the eyes, avoiding coming into contact with some tactile stimuli or looking at objects in a peculiar way, such as placing place them next to your eyes or look at them against the light”, explains Albertazzi.
However, it is important to highlight that These signs can be manifested to different degrees given that there are different levels of autism . In other words, in some cases, symptoms can be mild, making diagnosis difficult in childhood — which leads to many people receiving the diagnosis in adulthood. In other scenarios, the symptoms are intense and demonstrate a serious degree of impairment in language, communication and social interaction.
That's why, It is important to consult a specialized professional if ASD is suspected . “Usually, a specialized professional can, up to around a year and a half, notice signs that suggest ASD and, even if the diagnosis is not made, these children should be referred for therapeutic treatment”, says Casella.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of ASD is made through the evaluation and investigation carried out by a specialized doctor , with the support of a multidisciplinary team. “It involves observing the child’s behavior, interviewing the parents and some specific questionnaires. Tests can also be carried out to rule out other diagnoses, such as hearing loss”, says Albertazzi.
To confirm the diagnosis, the DSM manual can also be used, which lists the main changes in the child's language development, communication and behavior.
Treatment options for autism
There is no cure for ASD, but treatment allows people with autism to live their lives fully, effectively and with greater well-being. For this, there are different types of therapies. The most used and scientifically recognized is the TAB (Applied Behavior Analysis ), whose focus is teaching important skills of communication, imagination and emotional self-regulation.
Drug treatment can occasionally be used when the child is very irritable or when there is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) associated with autism. It is also an option when the patient has anxiety or problems sleeping, as Casella explains.
“The most important thing of all is the effort to ensure that everything is done to improve progress. But therapies must be based on scientific evidence”, reinforces the neurologist.
“It is very important that therapy is oriented towards the values of the child and family, focusing on the acquisition of important skills and the creation of an enriched and welcoming environment, capable of helping the person with ASD in their development process”, adds Albertazzi.
Source: CNN Brasil
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