With April 2 coming in as World Autism Day, DR ROMA KUMAR speaks about the affliction and the urgent need for parental awareness about tackling autism
The month of April brings attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, and in some countries, the entire month is devoted to raising awareness around this developmental disorder. While awareness has generally improved, there is still a long way to go. ASD is an umbrella term that covers a range of behaviours and symptoms. Each case of ASD is unique and no two individuals experience it in the same way. There is no cure for ASD, but there are treatments and therapies that help individuals on the spectrum manage and even overcome some of the challenges linked to ASD.
What do those challenges look likeIJ For one, many with ASD have a hard time communicating with others. Their communication challenges are referred to as social communication or interaction behaviors. Examples include not being able to establish eye contact with others, responding in an unusual or inappropriate way to others’ comments or feelings, and generally having a hard time holding a conversation.
Repetitive and restrictive behaviours are also common. Restrictive behaviours refer to interests and preferences that are very strong and limited to a very small number of subjects. Repetitive behaviours are body movements that are done repeatedly, like rocking back and forth or hand flapping.
A change in routine or environment can cause great stress for someone on the spectrum. A sensitivity to light, temperature, the texture of clothes or noise might be present. Problems with fine or gross motor coordination might be seen. (Fine motor skills are used for things like brushing teeth or writing; gross motor skills are used for activities like jumping and climbing.) A person with ASD may experience attention problems or problems with digestion or sleep.
There are some behaviours that are common among children with ASD. If a child doesn’t take an interest when toys are shown to him or her, this should be noted. likewise, a child, who prefers to play alone should be a cause for concern. If a child doesn’t respond to his or her name, or doesn’t smile in a social interaction, this could be a sign of ASD. A diagnosis can be made as early as 18 months of age.
A pediatric neurologist, developmental neurologist, clinical psychologist and occupational therapist may help in making the diagnosis. These professionals look at how the child is developing, which is understood by looking at milestones such as when the child started walking, talking or showed an ability to follow directions. Skill and development assessment tools that have been developed in India are also used to understand the child’s communication, cognitive, and motor skills.
Parents often make the mistake of choosing to wait for a while, hoping that the child will grow out of the unusual behaviour. But it’s very important to talk to a doctor as soon as something unusual is noticed.
The earlier a diagnosis is made the sooner the treatment or therapy can be started. This will make it easier for the child to interact with others and make friends. It will also make a big difference when it’s time for the child to attend school. Early intervention — the process of diagnosing ASD and treating it as early as possible — is known to show better outcomes than intervening later in the child’s life, after the behaviours linked to ASD have taken hold.
There are many treatment options for ASD and because everyone on the spectrum is affected in a different way, a treatment or therapy plan depends very much on the specific case at hand. Behaviour therapy is typically used to treat ASD, though medication may be used to treat some aspects of the disorder. In behavior therapy, a child learns new behaviors to replace the behaviours that make it hard for him or her to interact socially or adapt to change, for example. This type of therapy can even include simple activities that parents can do with their child at home. In fact, research that says that for therapy to be effective, parents must be involved. Repetition and consistency are key: the more these new behaviors are practiced with a therapist and at home, the sooner they will take hold.
There is no quick cure for ASD, so parents should set realistic expectations for themselves and their child. But this is not to suggest that parents should not have hope. Children can overcome many of the challenges linked to ASD if the disorder is caught early.
The writer is chief child psychologist, Mom’s Belief