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Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life and may be the result of a neurological disorder that affects the brain. Autism is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a Pervasive Development Disorder (APA, 1994). It is defined by symptoms that appear before the age of three which reflect delayed or abnormal development in Language, Social Skills and Behavioral Repertoire.
A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(a) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)
(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
(b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
(c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level
(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder .
Associated Features:
Learning Problem
Dysarthria or Involuntary Movement
Hypoactivity
Psychosis
Odd or Eccentric or Suspicious Personality
Anxious or Fearful or Dependent Personality
Differential Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.
Rett's Disorder ;
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder ;
Asperger's Disorder ;
Schizophrenia ;
Selective Mutism;
Expressive Language Disorder ;
Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder ;
Mental Retardation ;
Stereotypic Movement Habit Disorder .
Cause:
The exact cause or causes of autism is/are still not known but research shows that genetic factors are important. It is also evident from research that autism is associated with a variety of conditions affecting brain development which occur before, during, or very soon after birth. See Asperger's Disorder
Treatment:
Treatment of this disorder is very difficult and prolonged. Parents, teachers, and therapists work together in coordinated efforts to encourage social adjustment and speech development in the child. Positive reinforcement techniques such as offering food for appropriate behavior or language responses have been successful in promoting skills. Treatment may be in an institution, specialized school, day-care setting, or in the home. Family members may need counseling because they often feel guilty or inadequate. Treatments such as dietary modification and vitamin therapies, medication, music therapy, colored or prism lenses, auditory training, sensory integration, social skills programming, speech therapy.
Counseling and Psychotherapy:
Intensive behavior modification programmes such as; Behavior Analysis and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). |