Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins in early childhood and last throughout life. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because people with ASD can have a variety of unique symptoms. They are characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
According to the World Health Organization(WHO), one in every 160 children in the country suffers from autism spectrum disorder. There are many people who can live like themselves with autism. But some children need lifelong care and companionship. They have to face many problems in the future in education, school and job. This disease is often seen in children through strange behavior from talking to someone to playing a sport. It is possible to treat this disease from childhood.
Symptoms
Children with ASD behave differently than normal children. In this case, mental limitations are seen in children. They are always absorbed. They don’t talk to anyone, don’t play. They also cannot fit well with others.
All these patients have one more prominent characteristic – they do not talk or listen with eye contact. They can’t even look into their parents’ eyes.
Such patients usually start talking late. They repeat the same word or phrase over and over again. They play with the same toy every time and get upset at the slightest change.
Autistic patients don’t respond to name by 9 months of age. They do not show facial expressions(like happy, sad, angry, tired).
They do not share interests with others by 15 months of age.
Many are hyperactive. They often bite their hands and bleed or crush nearby objects. Experts say there is no reason to treat ASD as a mental disorder like other mental disorders. Sometimes these children excel in special qualities. Some people with ASD have been found to be incredibly successful in many areas of life. There are many examples. World famous scientists Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton were autistic.
In which gender is ASD more common?
Experts have researched and said that boys have a significantly higher risk of Autism spectrum disorders than girls(boys to girls ASD ratio is 4:1).
The underlying genetic cause of this gender difference is hidden in human sex-chromosomes. One of the causes of ASD is a mutation in a gene called Neuroligin, located on the human X (X)-chromosome.
The Neuroligin protein is important for establishing and maintaining synapses (connections) between neurons, so that communication between nerve cells is uninterrupted.
Since, both sex-chromosomes in girls are X chromosomes and boys have one X and one Y. So a mutation of a gene occurring on one X chromosome is protected by a normal gene on another X chromosome. But boys are deprived of that opportunity because they do not have a functionally equivalent gene on the Y chromosome.
Causes
Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. scientific evidence suggests that there are probably many factors that make a child more likely to develop autism. In some cases environmental and genetic factors are responsible for this.
One thing scientists have agreed upon is that ASD occurs in children due to a reduction or disconnection of the various cells in the nervous system of our brain or a lack of certain chemicals released by the nerves.
One of the biggest debates over the causes of autism spectrum disorder is the disorder and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable studies have found a link between autism spectrum disorder and any vaccine.
Skipping childhood vaccinations can put your child and others at risk of catching and spreading serious diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles, or mumps. Therefore, it is better not to avoid thinking that it is the cause of autism spectrum syndrome.
For Genetics
Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorders.
Many neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum disorder(ASD), are caused by defects in signal transduction. The neuroligin family consists of four genes; Among them, multiple mutations in the NLGN3 and NLGN4 genes have been implicated as the cause of ASD.
The neuroligin family consists of four genes; Among them, multiple mutations in the NLGN3 and NLGN4 genes have been implicated as the cause of ASD.
Copy number variation (CNV) of certain genes is recognized as a major cause of ASD. CNV refers to the number of copies or copies of a gene or DNA segment in our genome. CNV variation in the genome occurs through the genetic process of duplication and deletion. Duplication results in multiple copies of a particular gene in one’s genome. But in others, the copy number of the same gene is much less due to deletion. At one end of chromosome 15 of the human genome, there is such a fragile region, where four genes—TUBGCP5, NIPA1, NIPA2 and CYFIP1—are located. CNVs of these genes are directly associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental and intellectual problems.
Fetal brain development begins in the third week of pregnancy. The first two months of pregnancy are very important. Maternal infections have also been cited as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. At this time, the antibodies produced by pregnant mothers due to bacterial or viral infections play a role in the development of ASD.
Oxygen deprivation can cause Autism Spectrum disease too.
Environmental toxins (such as mercury, arsenic, pesticides, etc.) during pregnancy can destroy brain cells in the early stages of growth. Also, parental age at conception, air pollution, maternal obesity, diabetes or immune system disorders, prenatal oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain can cause ASD.
Types
There are generally five types of autism spectrum disorder.
1. Asperger disorder
A person with Asperger’s may be very intelligent and able to manage their daily life. They can really focus on the things that interest them. But they face many problems in social communication.
2. Rett syndrome
It is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that is observed in infancy. The disorder mostly affects girls. Common symptoms of Rett syndrome include loss of movement and coordination, challenges with communication and speech. Shortness of breath may be observed in some cases.
3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), is a disorder defined by delayed onset of developmental problems with language, motor skills, or social functioning. A child experiences normal development only in these phrase after the age of three.
4. Kanner’s syndrome
The disease is known as Kanner syndrome as it was discovered by Leo kanner, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University.
Symptoms include lack of emotional attachment to others, language problems and communication and interaction challenges.
5. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
It is a mild form of autism. The most common symptoms are challenges in social and language development. It starts showing symptoms from childhood. In this case, children’s language development, walking and other motor skills may be delayed.
What to follow?
There is no specific medical test to diagnose the disorder.
Who declared that all people, including people with autism, have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
According to the doctor, if there are any signs of autism in the child, the parents should do a routine checkup of the children. They should be examined by a pediatrician or child psychiatrist without further delay.
Now there are separate schools for all the special children. Parents should try to make the child self-reliant at home as much as possible. And he will find a confidence in himself.
parents should be the child’s best friend. An environment should be created at home so that he feels safe.
There is no specific medical test to diagnose the disorder.
Many neuroscientists are also looking at stem cell therapy as a potential cure for ASD.
Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for regeneration of damaged organs, tissues or functions through the transplantation of stem cells.
Studies have shown that taking a prenatal multivitamin with folic acid as a precaution helps reduce the risk of autism. In addition, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables rich in fatty acids also prevent the development of ASD in children. Because these foods contain natural anandamide, a ligand for the CB1 receptor.
Children with autism spectrum disorder may also have medical issues, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, limited food preferences or stomach problems. Specialists recommend parents to ask child’s doctor how to best manage these conditions
