The most common symptoms of Autism, which is 3-4 times more common in boys than in girls, are avoiding eye contact, not reacting when called by name, and markedly repetitive movements. According to experts who point out that there is no test that diagnoses autism, it is necessary to observe the baby well.
April is recognized by the United Nations as Autism Awareness Month and April 2 as Autism Awareness Day all over the world.
Üsküdar University NP Etiler Medical Center Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said that Autism, which is diagnosed in early childhood, is more common in boys than girls.
A good psychiatric follow-up is a must
Stating that the exact cause ofAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unknown, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said:
"However, several complex genetic and environmental factors are thought to be involved. It is a disorder with no radical treatment yet. Child and adolescent psychiatrists are responsible for the early diagnosis of this group, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs, and evaluating newly developing symptoms and psychiatric disorders. It is only possible to pay the necessary attention to this field by recognizing the necessity of evaluating psychiatric disorders in individuals with developmental problems. Autism and other developmental disorders do not protect the individual against developing psychiatric disorders, on the contrary, they increase predisposition to other disorders affecting the central nervous system, therefore good psychiatric follow-up is essential."
3-4 times more common in men
Stating that Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex neuro-developmental disorder that can have problems with thinking, feeling, language and the ability to relate to others, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said, "This means that it affects the functioning of the brain. The effects of autism and the severity of symptoms are different for each person. Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Approximately one in every 68 children in the world is diagnosed with autism. Autism spectrum disorder is three to four times more common in boys than in girls."
Autism differs from person to person
Stating that autism varies in severity and symptom combinations from person to person, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said, "No two children look or behave the same. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often change over time. Many children with autism pay attention to routines and sameness and have difficulty adapting to unfamiliar surroundings or changes in routine. Many people with autism have normal cognitive skills, while others have cognitive difficulties. Some are at greater risk for certain medical conditions, such as sleep problems and seizures."
Noting that the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder are divided into three categories, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi listed them as follows:
Communication problems: Including difficulty using or understanding language. Some children with autism focus their attention and speech on a few subject areas, some often repeat sentences, and some have very limited speech.
Difficulty with people, events and things: Difficulty making friends and communicating with people, including difficulty reading facial expressions and not making eye contact.
Repetitive body movements or behaviors: Such as hand clapping or repeated sounds or expressions.
Autism is diagnosed by observation
Stating that early diagnosis and treatment is important to reduce the symptoms of Autism and improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism and their families, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said, "There is no medical test for Autism. It is diagnosed by observing how the child speaks and moves compared to other children of the same age. Trained professionals typically diagnose autism by talking to the child and asking questions of parents and other caregivers."
Take good care of your baby!
Dr. Algun Tüfekçi listed his other recommendations as follows:
"If you are concerned that your baby or infant is not developing normally, early diagnosis is important. Possible signs of autism spectrum disorder in young children are as follows
Not responding to your name by 12 months of age
At 14 months of age, not pointing to objects of interest
At 18 months of age, not playing "pretend" games
If you have a strong concern that your child is showing possible signs of autism, then a diagnostic assessment should be carried out. This usually includes an examination with your child by a child psychiatrist and child psychologist and play-based tests.
Scientists do not clearly understand what causes Autism Spectrum Disorder. Several factors probably contribute to autism, including the genes the child was born with or environmental factors. A child has a greater risk of autism if there is a family member with autism. Research has shown that ASD is not caused by bad parenting and is not caused by vaccines."
There is no single cure for autism
Stating that there is no single treatment for autism, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said that studies have shown that symptoms can improve with early diagnosis and treatment, "There is no single treatment for autism. Treatments can include intensive skill development and educational sessions known as applied behavior analysis (ABA) and many more interactive, child-centered versions of behavior therapy. Treatment may also include specialized training and support for parents, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and/or social skills training."
Emphasizing that there are no medications that directly treat the key features of autism, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said, "The use of complementary and alternative therapies is common among children with autism, for example, special nutritional supplements and diets. To date, there is little scientific evidence that such treatments are effective. Sometimes they can have negative consequences; it is important to talk to your doctor before trying any complementary or alternative treatment."
It lasts a lifetime
Stating that autism is generally a lifelong disorder, Dr. Algun Tüfekçi said, "In adulthood, two-thirds of these cases cannot live independently, but only 5% to 5% can lead a fully independent life. The best indicators of progression are the onset of speech before the age of 5, a good education program starting early and an IQ (intelligence score) above 70. The group with an IQ below 50-60 is included in the group leading a dependent life. The group with normal IQ but no language development can lead their lives with partial care in nursing homes. Those whose language development starts before the age of 5 and whose IQ is normal have a 50% chance of leading an independent life."
Prof. Dr. Algun Tüfekçi pointed out that the number of children with ASD who are able to live independently later on is increasing today.
Advice for families
Dr. Algun Tüfekçi gave important advice for parents:
"Learn as much as you can about autism spectrum disorder.
Provide a consistent daily plan and routine.
Connect with other parents of children with autism.
Seek professional help for your specific concerns.
Make time for yourself and other family members. Having a child with autism affects the whole family. It can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive. It is important to take care of the family's physical and emotional health."
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