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1. What is autism?
Autism is
considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from
individual to individual. Autistic children express differently from each other.
Autism is characterized by failure of the child to develop communicative
language or form proper social communication. But they show motor and other
skills far beyond that of a mentally retarded child.
Autism is characterized by varying
degrees of impairment to develop communicative language or form
proper social communication. Some of them are obsessively pre occupied with
inanimate objects such as lights, running water or spinning objects, and also
by repetitive behaviors. Symptoms
range from mild to severe. Some of them gradually develop extreme talents such as in
mathematics and these are retained mostly throughout the life. Studies of
people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain
which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early fetal brain
development
There is a milder form of the disorder known as Asperger's
Syndrome. Other developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum
Disorders are Rett’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not
Otherwise Specified), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. If you have
concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your doctor about
getting your child screened for autism.
2. What is meant by “On the spectrum”?
Autism
is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from
individual to individual. Though the Autistic children show similar traits they
are individual and express differently from each other. one child may have not
developed speech and have difficulty in learning how to read and write, where
as another child can easily read and write and can be attending normal school.
Some children may display hypersensitivity to touch noise and other may have no
sensory issues at all.
3. How common is autism?
According to the survey by Centers for Disease
Control, autism affects as many as 1 in every 100 children and it is rising by
10-15% every year. It is the most prevalent developmental disorder in today’s
time. Boys are more susceptible than girls to develop Autism but it is seen
that girls manifest a more severe form of the disorder that the boys.
4. How do I know my child is Autistic?
No two children with autism are alike, each one managing a different
set of symptoms. But there are some signs and symptoms that are common and may
be recognized as early as the toddler years, or even sooner. They usually do
not have or do not sustain eye contact and have trouble communicating with
other people or they may communicate in ways that others cannot easily
understand. They may hardly speak and even if they speak it’s just babbling and
not coherent. They're also prone to repetitive behaviors like flapping their
hands constantly or uttering the same phrase over and over again. They may also
be over sensitive to sights, sounds and touch.
Criteria for Autism
A total Of 6 or more items of the following with at least 2 from
[1], and one each from [2] and [3] are satisfied by the patient:
[1] Qualitative impairment in social
interaction:
Marked impairment in facial expression
Failure to develop peer relationships
A lack of spontaneity in sharing interests
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
[2] Qualitative impairment in
communication:
Marked inability to initiate or sustain conversation with
others.
[3] Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped
pattern of behavior
Encompassing preoccupation with one stereotyped and restricted
pattern.
5. How did my child develop autism?
No one is yet able to point to a probable cause.
Though a disorder as common as autism would have a known cause, in many ways
it's still quite mysteriously not known. Recent studies have suggested a strong
genetic basis for autism. There are about 20 sets of genes that may play a part
in the development of autism. Genes are not the only one responsible for all
the cases; there are other triggers which are yet not discovered.
6. Does vaccination cause autism ?
Many studies have been conducted to determine if a
link exists between vaccination and increased prevalence of autism, with
particular attention to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and those
containing thimerosal. These studies have not found a link between vaccines and
autism It remains possible that, in cases, immunization might trigger the onset
of autism symptoms in a child with an underlying medical or genetic condition.
As this is a sensitive topic it is best to discuss it with your
healthcare provider who will guide you and ensure the optimal well-being of the
child. Establishing open communication and trust with a physician who
understands each child and his or her family is the best strategy for keeping a
child healthy.
7. What help
my child needs if He/She is Autistic?
Do not Panic
first understand and learn about Autism from the right source that can be your doctor.
You will need a good team of doctors, therapists, psychologists and teachers
who understand and have experience with autism and can respond to his needs
appropriately. Your healthcare provider can guide you toward various
intervention programs and suggest complementary therapies. It also helps to associate
with the existing network of parents facing the same challenges as you.
8. How to I
deal with the diagnosis of Autism?
It is difficult
to come to terms with the diagnosis that your child is having Autism but there
is always a brighter side to every adversity. As we know the Autistic children
have some special capabilities which the normal kids may not pocess.For e.g.
some of the children we saw one was having a extraordinary power to memorize
things only after reading once, one of them was brilliant in drawing and
another in playing musical instrument. So do not blame your self or feel sad or
hopeless. Take the right steps understand the disorder and if take care from
your healthcare provider who will guide you with the exact nature of the
disorder and how to deal with it. Keep the faith.
9. What
therapies do I need for my child with Autism?
There are
various therapies that are useful some of them are –
- Speech Language Therapy (SLT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Sensory Integration
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Social Skills
- Picture Exchange Communication
system
- Auditory Integration Therapy
10. What
role Homeopathy plays in Autism?
Homeopathy is a
holistic treatment and it plays a vital role in treatment of Autistic children.
With the Constitutional Homeopathic treatment we can achieve increased level of
concentration, decrease in hyperactivity and channeling of the energy in a
constructive method. Homeopathic remedies act at the level of the Psycho Neuro
endocrinal axis. Homeopathic treatment is safe and without side effects.
11. Can
Autistic children become independent?
Yes Autistic
children can become independent with the right intervention programs, therapy
and proper care from the early stages once the child is detected with Autism. A
sustained effort is needed to achieve the desired outcome from therapy and treatment.
As Autistic children are having special capabilities which when nurtured
properly can be a great asset in making the individual independent.
For Homeopathic Consultation With Dr.Santosh R.Joshi Classical Homeopath
