Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and its Symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social interactions, challenges in communication and complex repetitive behaviors.
Severity of autism symptoms often varies widely and is always unique. In other words, no two individuals with autism can have similar symptoms.
This results in autism challenges being mild to ending-up with higher severities. The ones with severe symptoms often end up with the disorder affecting their day to day lives.
While autism in incurable and a lifelong condition, adults and children diagnosed on the spectrum can benefit from interventional programs or therapies that are designed to reduce the symptoms while increasing skills and abilities of an individual.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to have an early intervention, which helps an individual to enjoy the benefits and integrate into the society without any hassles.
Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Communication Difficulties
- Social Challenges
- Genetic Disorders
- Repetitive Behaviors
Communication Difficulties
Children are said to have passed the first milestone to the path of learning by age 3. Children start their learning journey by continuously babbling.
When the child reaches age one, normally developing ones are able to say a word. They are able to look and turn when they hear others calling their names. Further, they are able to point to the objects of their need.
When they are offered something which is not of their taste, they are clearly able to answer ‘NO’ either through expression or some humming sound.
On the other hand, children diagnosed on the spectrum are seen to have observational delays in babbling and their path to learn to gesture.
There are some infants who develop autism in later stages and as a result, end up losing their communication skills.
With proper therapies and necessary interventions in place, children with autism can effectively learn spoken-language as well as communicate in a proper manner.
Often nonverbal adults and children communicate by using necessary tools such as sign language, pictures and speech generating devices in some cases.
Children with mild autism spectrum disorders exhibit slight delays in their communication skills. At times, children with mild disorders also have difficulties while sustaining a conversation.
More often than not, autistic individuals face difficulties in the general ‘take and give’ communication process.
Another difficulty that autistic children face is difficulty in understanding the body language of their peers. For instance, a person with autism might fail to decode sarcasm and consider it as an honest comment.
When an autistic individual picks on communicative skills as a result of therapies and interventions, challenging behaviors such as the ones discussed above take a backseat.
Social Challenges
Every infant is social by the time they are born. They turn towards jeering voices and gaze at different faces. They begin by grasping fingers and start smiling by the time they age around two to three months.
However, infants with autism are prone to showcase failures in their natural behavior. For instance, when someone calls their name out, they may fail to respond. Further, they may not be able to respond in the right manner or seek comfort to their parental affections.
Nevertheless, it is common among autistic individuals to regulate their emotions. For instance, they may end-up crying or having an outburst in inappropriate times which in turn leads to aggressive and disruptive behaviors. Individuals with autism condition need constant care as they are prone to higher levels of frustrations leading to self-inflicted injuries.
Genetic Disorders
Autistic children have a genetic condition that is responsible for affect their brain development. Autism condition affects an average of 15 percent of the individuals owing to their family history.
A professional neurologist or a geneticist can help in guiding proper treatment while making one aware of associated issues which in turn can lead to effective life planning.
Repetitive Behaviors
A Behavior is unusual when individuals try to engage in restricted range of different activities.
Some of the repetitive behaviors include
- Rocking
- Twirling
- Jumping
- Hand Flapping
Sudden outbursts follow when individuals with autism have their environment modified.
Have you taken your time out to understand autism symptoms? Feel free to share your thoughts by commenting in the comment section below.
Ruby Joseph editor
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