Autism spectrum disorder is a broad term that encompasses a variety of autistic disorders. Autistic disorders are usually detected and diagnosed in childhood, as the symptoms of the disorder themselves occur relatively early. Autism spectrum disorders significantly affect a child’s quality of life and functioning in society.
What is an autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum or autism spectrum disorder is any disorder involving distinct mechanisms or causes that result in developmental difficulties. People who struggle with the autism spectrum have problems with communication, social interaction or a limited number of interests. Autism spectrum disorders include:
- infantile autism – the child misjudges the information that comes to them. There are problems in understanding the behaviour of others, as well as in communicating with them. Even the smallest changes in the child’s environment can cause anxiety and panic;
- atypical autism – symptoms appear after the age of 3 years. In this case, there are also no characteristic symptoms or factors that form the basis for a diagnosis. It is erroneously assumed that atypical autism is a disorder with a lighter course and less intractable symptoms than infantile autism;
- Asperger’s syndrome – is characterised by similar symptoms to autism, but there is no delay in speech or intellectual ability in the course of this disorder;
- Rett syndrome – is characterised by profound motor impairment, as well as limited ability to communicate with the environment;
- impairment of non-verbal learning abilities;
- holistic developmental disorder.
What are the causes of autism spectrum disorder?
In all likelihood, it is assumed that the autism spectrum is caused by neurological defects with a detailed unknown aetiology. Among the most commonly cited causes, the following are pointed out:
- genetic conditions – the propensity to develop an autistic disorder is inherited. Scientists have discovered 20-30 genes responsible for the onset of autism;
- the age of the father over 40;
- disorders with a metabolic basis, such as glucose or casein intolerance;
- disorders of the intestinal microflora;
- perinatal trauma;
- serious infections that were treated with antibiotics during infancy;
- cerebral palsy;
- damage to the central nervous system;
- congenital toxoplasmosis.
Autism spectrum disorder – symptoms
The list of symptoms of autism is very long and, in order to organise them, they are divided into categories. The symptoms of autism therefore concern the communicative, social and behavioural spheres. Children with symptoms of autism in the communicative sphere avoid eye contact and their facial expressions are not consistent with spoken words. People with autism have problems interpreting non-verbal communication correctly. They often do not understand jokes, repeat the same sentences several times and, instead of answering a question, repeat the content of the question asked. In the context of the autism zone in the social sphere, attention is drawn to the fact that children do not express a particular desire to build social relationships. They have trouble understanding the feelings of others and often cannot hear what is being said to them. Children with autism do not like to share their belongings with others, which often ends in a brawl in a shared play area. The behavioural area of symptoms found in the autism spectrum, on the other hand, involves repetitive experiences. People with autism dislike change and find it very difficult to adapt to it. They become strongly attached to various sometimes small things and their interests lie in specific knowledge, such as studying and memorising timetables.
Source
- https://www.medonet.pl/zdrowie,spektrum-autyzmu—charakterystyka–przyczyny-i-objawy,artykul,1734307.html
