Autism

Autism refers to the conditions characterised by the challenges with repetitive behaviors, social skills, speech, and non-verbal communication in a person. It is a condition which is related to brain development and interferes with social interaction. People still think that autism is a long-lasting neurodevelopmental disorder with no treatment or cure till date, but this is not the truth. Autism is a distinctive energy signature of the state of existence or being and a complex developmental disorder.

Specials schools and special education are supposed to help the autistic child progress and advance in their learning capabilities and other fields of talents and interests.

Autism spectrum disorder starts in early childhood and after a period of time causes problems such as functioning and socializing, for example at work and in school. Usually, children show symptoms within the first year and then experience regression in the middle of 18 and 24 months of age. Other children might develop in the early months or years of life, irrespective of the disorder, then suddenly become aggressive or withdrawn or lose the language skills that they have already acquired. Usually, signs are seen by the age of 2.

Every child has a unique level of severity and pattern of behavior from low functioning to high.

Some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) indicate lower than normal intelligence and some have difficulty in learning. Other children with ASD have normal to high intelligence. These children learn quickly yet have difficulty in communicating with someone. This unique mixture of symptoms can sometimes be difficult to identify. It is usually based on the ability to function and on the level of impairment.

Common symptoms include the following:

• Problems in social interaction and communication

• Difficult and variable patterns of behavior

• Lack of facial expression

• Poor eye contact

• Delayed speech or lack of it

• Failure to respond to name or hear at times

• Inability to express feelings or emotions

• Unawareness of other’s feelings

• Inability to understand simple directions or questions

• Trouble in recognizing non-verbal cues, like interpreting other people’s body postures, facial expressions or tone of voice

• Performing such types of activities which can cause self-harm, such as head-banging or biting

• Non-engagement in peer group

• Fixation on an activity or object with abnormal focus or intensity

• Difficulty with coordination

• Performing repetitive movements, such as spinning, rocking or hand flapping

Autism expert is the person who identifies the results of improvement in the child from day one. In simple language, a person who is an autism expert is supposed to heal the limiting symptoms in the child or cure it, and not simply declare that there is no remedy or cure for autism. The expert should be able to help the child and his family manage and cope with the symptoms and disorder for a better overall quality of life so that the child becomes independent and is able to survive on his own when grown up.