What is autism or ASD?

The autism, whose correct name is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a disorder that affects development, communication and behavior of the child whose origin is neurological and encompasses many affectations. It is mainly characterized by difficulties in the areas of social communication, accompanied by repetitive behavior and / or restricted interests. Besides, the intelligence of children with ASD can be very variable, ranging from intellectual disability at High capacities.

What Causes Autism?

Its origin is due to an abnormality in the neuronal connections of genetic cause. However, this genetic component is not always present. The cause of autism 100% unknown, but it seems that some genes are involved, with an abnormality in the structure and functionality of the brain. Is more common in boys than girls.

What are the symptoms of autism?

Autism is a very broad spectrum of symptoms that manifest very differently in each child. The following features are examples of situations that may make us suspect an ASD. Not all children have to have all the symptoms:

• Does not develop language or is late.
• When he develops language, he does not use it to communicate with others.
• Presents echolalia: repeating words and phrases several times, like an echo.
• Shows repetitive behaviors.
• Perform repetitive body movements (rocking, clapping).
• Lack of social and family interaction.
• Refuse physical contact, they are not very affectionate.
• Does not establish eye contact.
• He is unable to establish friendly relations.

Differences between boys and girls

Depending on the sex, we can find different clinical manifestations. In general, girls with ASD adapt better socially and they have more communication skills compared to children with ASD. They are interested in interacting with children their age, but lack social skills to do so successfully, interacting better with adults or younger children.

Their interests are more common for their age, they have fewer repetitive behaviors (swinging or flapping) and fewer sensory disturbances (such as hypersensitivity to noise). Many girls develop skills to camouflage their difficulties, imitating social behaviors or roles to get group acceptance.

Kids

• Social relationship difficulties.
• Language delay
• Communication problems.
• Literality in language with difficulty understanding jokes or metaphors.
• Difficulties in non-verbal communication: facial stiffness, poor eye contact, little gesticulation.
• They tolerate changes badly, they like routines.
• Repetitive behavior pattern.
• Very specific or peculiar interests.
• Behavior problems and difficulty self-regulating emotions
• Anxiety and low mood.
• High sense of justice.

Girls

• Rich and sophisticated verbal language.
• Good use of non-verbal language: eye contact, use of gestures, etc.
• Selective mutism: not talking in certain situations or with certain people
• They can suffer from anxiety disorders.
• Cognitive rigidity and very dominant in the game.
• They tend to have a small group of friends or prefer solitude, showing poor social skills, especially with their peers.
• Poor mischief.
• Very perfectionists.
• Difficulties recognizing and expressing feelings.
• In adolescence, they can suffer from affective and eating disorders.
• Restricted interests like children, but more adaptive (symbolic play, reading, nature ...).

Diagnosis and signs of autism in children

The early diagnostic TEA is very important. Pediatricians, in the well-child check-ups from 15 months of age, perform simple, but highly sensitive, specific tests that allow screening to be carried out in order to make a early intervention that improves prognosis.

There are simple questionnaires and tests that allow detect signs of autism or developmental disorders before two years of age. Early diagnosis allows a more effective intervention in its treatment and prognosis. Signs of alarm in a child younger than 24 months that should alert the pediatrician and the family are:

• Poor eye contact, little smile, they do not respond to their name, being "non-demanding" babies: in children under 12 months.
• No babbling, pointing, or gesturing by 12 months.
• Not saying a single word at 16 months.
• Not saying two-word sentences at 24 months.
• Loss of any social or language skills at any age.
• Not having any eye contact.

If a developmental disorder is suspected, a series of tests should be carried out to rule out organic, metabolic and imaging diseases of the central nervous system.

There are different degrees of severity, from very serious cases where the child or the adult has a complete absence of speech, extremely repetitive, unusual, self-injurious or aggressive behaviors, to slight affectations that with an early diagnosis and adequate help improve a lot until they lead a practically normal life.

Autism treatment

Children with an ASD that is not diagnosed and not treated properly may enter a insulation coil, demotivation, low self-esteem and affective disorders.

existEducational programsSpecific designed especially for autistic children. You must also follow a behavioral therapy to teach social, motor and thinking skills. The participation of the parents and school, betting, whenever possible, for inclusive education. In some cases, drugs are necessary to treat some symptoms in the child with ASD.

What to do if we suspect that our son or daughter has ASD?

Given the suspicion that our child has symptoms of ASD, it is advisable to confirm or discard this diagnosis in order to offer the corresponding strategies and approach, as well as the pertinent guidelines for its management to the family and school.

• Autism is a spectrum of disorders characterized by severe, permanent and profound developmental deficits affecting socialization, communication, imagination, and behavior.
• The cause of autism is not known one hundred percent, but it seems that some genes are involved, with an abnormality in the structure and functionality of the brain.
• Depending on the sex, we can find different clinical manifestations. In general, girls with ASD adapt better socially and have more communication skills compared to boys with ASD.

Pediatric Specialist