Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disorder. Autism is a condition where the brain fails to develop as in the case of a normal child and thus resulting in affecting the development of communication and social interaction skills in a person.

This a physical disorder just like the absence of a limb and is not a mental disorder. People with Autism have issues with non-verbal communication, a wide range of social interactions and activities that includes an element of play.

There are no tests to confirm for Autism. Just that there are screenings tests which observe the behaviour and skills and compare them with normal children. Usually when put along with normal children , these autistic kids would be labelled as non cooperative, oppositional, lazy, etc. rather than admitting and accepting that they are autistic and requires special care and attention to get them on the right track.

A child when in infancy cannot be distinguished to have autism. A normal child and the autistic child look the same. However in due coarse only the symptoms get revealed and one gets to understand whether the kid is autistic or not.

By understand a few of the symptoms displayed, one may be able to recognize whether a child is affected by Autism or not.

A few symptoms are discussed below:

1. Social Skills:

The autistic patient finds it difficult to have social interactions. They make very less eye contact, which could be corrected with training, they miss the attention to somebody or at times do not realize that someone is talking to them.

2. Empathy:

Autistic people find it difficult to understand the feelings of others and hence the ability to empathize instinctively is absent. However this could be cultivated over a period of time through training.

3. Physical Contact:

An autistic child may not prefer to be cuddled like a normal child. However, with constant touching, they may be attached to a close relative like their parents or grandparents whom they associate often.

4. Speech:

Autistic patients have trouble with speech. If the intensity is high, then the clarity is less and repetitions of words are more.

5. Repetitive behaviors:

Autistic people prefer the regular usual pattern that they follow. Any minor changes in their routine may upset them and change their mood.

6. Feelings:

Autistic people have the same depth of feelings like a normal person does. They could also express their feelings, but may be in a different manner. Hence it is important to understand them and be with them. Studies have proved that the origin of Autism could be genetic.

There are many cases where there is evidence of subtle neurological difference in family members, especially in the extended family members of the biological parents is considered. But with improved therapy, autism could be treated and autistic children could be trained to develop a normal life like the other normal children and they could also enjoy life in the same manner as their counterparts.