There are some experts who suggest that 3 to 6 children out of every 1,000 are born with autism. Although research is still being conducted, there are no conclusive studies that define what causes autism in children. Of the studies conduct, it has been determined that both genetics and environment play a role in autism. Of the two factors which influence autism, genetics plays the major role.
Chances are, you’ve seen an autistic child and may not have realized it. Autism shows up in children as young as infants but is more discernible around the age of 2 or 3 when non-autistic children are developing their language skills. How can you recognize autism? There are some distinguishable characteristics that can be observed.
Autism is categorized as belonging to a group of disorders described as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Other less common autistic disorders include Rhett syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, Asperger syndrome and dis-integrative disorder. Autism is considered the most common of all the ASDs. Autistic children have difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication and suffer from lack of ability to have social interactions with others. Autistic children also tend to engage in repetitive, unproductive behavior. These symptoms can range from mild to very severe.
Autistic children who revert or regress in the speaking ability before the age of 3 are said to be more likely to develop epileptic seizures as adults. There are no guarantees this will or will not happen. Parents of autistic children should not rely on perception or non-medical opinions of others but instead should seek professional testing. Autistic children require special care and attention that begins with understanding what your child’s needs are.
Autistic teens sometimes suffer from depression and should receive medical treatment to minimize the effects of the depression. The symptoms autistic children suffer from can lessen as they grow into adults and many autistic adults are sometimes capable of leading a relatively normal adult like with the help of medications such as anti-depressants.
Those who provide care to autistic children should understand that there is no cure for autism but that early diagnose and regular treatment can help caregivers to understand how autism affects children and how to offer the best care possible.
Education and professional intervention are both necessary in helping autistic children and their families cope with the disorder. Autistic children require professional therapy for help with developing language and social skills. Families of autistic children can also receive counseling and therapy, if need be, to help them deal with having an autistic child in the family.
Medications play a paramount role in helping autistic children lead stable lives that are conducive to learning how to be productive, integrated, functional members of society. Mildest cases of autism may require minimal medication or no medication at all. Contrastingly, however, most severe cases of autism may require medications for a variety of symptoms ranging from obsessive-compulsive behavior to depression to convulsions and/or seizures.
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