What is autism? What are the symptoms of autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually begins at the first age of 3 and continues throughout life, which we can express in the form of a person’s inability to establish a proper relationship with their environment in a verbal and nonverbal way. Currently, it can be diagnosed early with simple tests. Early diagnosis and appropriate rehabilitation program play a major role in bringing these cases to life.
The cause of autism is not exactly known. It is thought to be genetic. It is more common in boys than in girls. 70% of people with autism have mental retardation. In 10%, superior intelligence can be seen. Along with autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, and epilepsy can be observed.
What are the symptoms of autism?
In order for a child to be diagnosed with autism, it is necessary to carry at least 6 of the following symptoms.
Inability to social interaction ( inability to make eye contact, lack of interest in their peers and play games, lack of normal facial expressions and emotional expressions, difficulty starting and maintaining interaction)
Communication disorder (inability to speak, constant repetition of the same word (echolali), inability to communicate with talking children)
Not playing imaginary or symbolic games (not creating imaginary games, repetitive simple activities, constantly repeating the same routine movements, being overly obsessed with a part of an object, not being emotionally aroused or overreacted)
In addition, children with autism show many of the symptoms we listed below.
- Eye contact is either absent or restricted.
- They do not react when they call by name
- They may be extremely mobile or motionless.
- They are not interested in their environment
- They don’t like physical contact, such as hugging and kissing.
- There is a delay in speech.
- They deal with inanimate beings instead of communicating with people.
- They do not engage in dialogue with their peers in the community, they do not participate in games, they isolate themselves.
- Even if they learn to speak, they always repeat the same word.
- They do not use speech as a means of communication
- They establish inappropriate sentences and speak like a mold.
- Speech patterns and tones are uniform.
- They can laugh and giggle at everything in an unrelated way.
- They can obsess over a part of an object. (for example, constantly playing with the wheel of the car)
- They can be overly attached to some objects.
- There are obsessions of order. They can get angry when their routine breaks down.
- They make a repetitive movement, for example, clapping hands, jumping, turning around themselves, constantly swinging back and forth, flapping wings.
- They do not play games by dreaming like Normal children, they line up cars and constantly turn the wheel.
- They play the same games all the time.
- Some can be very stubborn and combative.
- When they enter the social environment, they can be extremely afraid and react.
- They often show eating disorders.
- They can damage themselves and objects around them.
- They are insensitive to danger.
- They are insensitive to pain.
- They do not understand the joke or the implication.
- They are insensitive to Normal learning methods
How is autism treated?
Early detection and treatment are of great importance in the treatment of autism. The purpose of treatment is to develop the social and individual abilities of an individual with autism. For this purpose, behavioral training and special therapies are applied. It is also important that the treatment that will be applied is appropriate for the family. Speech therapy, therapies aimed at increasing motor abilities, therapies aimed at gaining social communication skills are among the treatments applied.
The drugs can be used in conditions that accompany autism, such as depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Parental education is also extremely important in treating autism. There are legal non-governmental organizations that support families on autism.
Autism In Adulthood
Some adults with autism who have been diagnosed early and adequately treated can work and live on their own. Those with mental retardation and those who can’t speak need constant help. In addition, gifted autistic people can succeed in many areas (such as painting, playing musical instruments). But his social skills are always limited.
If you think that your child’s behavior is different from other children’s, you should talk to a psychologist immediately if you have some of the symptoms we mentioned above. Remember that early diagnosis and treatment are very important in autism.
