By: Gelmis Lopez
Autism is part of the so-called generalized disorders, it is of neurobiological origin that affects the configuration of the nervous system and brain functioning. According to the WHO, it is characterized by different degrees of difficulty in social interaction and communication.
From a young age, children with autism do not respond to the gestures and looks of the people around them, they do not seek contact with other people, they prefer to play alone.
The abilities and needs of people with autism vary and may evolve over time; atypical patterns of activity and behavior occur; For example, difficulty switching from one activity to another, paying attention to details, and reacting to sensations. Some people with ASD may have advanced conversational skills, while others may not express themselves verbally, often do not have intelligible language, or repeat themselves. the words they hear (echolalia), alter the order of words or use them with particular meanings for them, some may need a lot of help in their daily lives, while others may work and live with little or no help.
The characteristics of autism can be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later. It is common for people with autism to have comorbid diseases, that is, additional conditions such as epilepsy, depression or anxiety; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is also common; related to problematic behaviors, difficulty sleeping, and self-harm.
Epidemiology
It is estimated that, worldwide, one in every 100 children has autism. The prevalence of ASD in many low- and middle-income countries is so far unknown.
Most common symptoms:
- Lack of contact with the environment
- Stereotypical body movements
- Anomalies in the emission, form and content of language
- Marked abnormality in non-verbal communication
- Irrational insistence on following routines
Causes
Scientific evidence attributes its existence to multiple factors, mainly genetic and environmental. ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. They are more than 4 times more common in boys than in girls.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ASD can be difficult because there is no medical test, such as a blood test, to diagnose it. To make a diagnosis, doctors evaluate behavior and development. Some people do not receive a diagnosis until they are teenagers or adults. This delay means that there are people with ASD who may not receive the early help they need.
Transmission
Current treatments for ASD seek to reduce symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. ASD affects each individual in different ways and this means that people with ASD have unique strengths and challenges, and in turn different treatment needs. Multiple professionals participate in treatment plans and these are adapted to each person, with the most Behavioral treatment, educational programs, and psychotherapy are common. Sometimes the use of medication is necessary to treat psychiatric symptoms that may appear, such as antidepressants to reduce repetitive behaviors; and antipsychotics to improve social interaction.
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to inform citizens about this condition and build a more inclusive society. Seventeen years later, it is no longer just about raising public awareness, but about promoting acceptance and appreciation of autistic people and their contribution to society.