Variability of Autism Symptoms
Autism symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary in intensity from symptom to symptom. Children with autism might display a wide range of symptoms, which range in severity from mild to disabling. Because of autism's variety, its symptoms seem best understood when given descriptively and with specific examples. Moreover, signs and symptoms of Autism may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Children with Autism symptoms moreover vary a good deal in their mental abilities and also their communicative skills. Autism is sometimes coupled with retardation, which makes most teaching techniques ineffective. Because the symptoms of autism can vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which will help everyone.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of autism may be difficult, due to the fact that the condition varies widely in terms of its symptoms and degree of severity. The diagnosis of autism is established by the presence or absence of a cluster of behavioral symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Just your doctor can provide sufficient diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed autism symptoms. Your physician can help to determine whether the symptoms are caused by autism, a linked disorder, or another condition. The diagnosis of Autistic Disorder consists of a total of at least six observational items from social impairment, communication impairment and behavior impairment categories outlined (see list) with at least two from social impairment, and one each from communication impairment and behavior impairment.
Children with autism may exhibit mild, moderate or substantial symptoms in three areas (social, communication and behavior). A few children showed symptoms of autism in their first-year birthday video, for instance less frequent use of words or babbling. Additional autistic children who behaved typically at age 1, appeared to go back and suggested typical symptoms of autism by age 2. Because the symptoms of autism could differ vastly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which will help everyone.
Severity of Symptoms
There is a range of severity in autism symptoms, and for this reason the term “autism spectrum disorders” is often used. Children with autism could have diverse behaviors and abilities due to the severity of their symptoms. Clinical accounts suggest that conditions resembling autism don't vary just in terms of severity, but also in pattern of symptoms. As it varies widely in its severity and symptoms, autism may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected persons or in individuals with multiple handicaps. Based on data from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), persons with autism have normal life expectancies and can lead average or near-normal lives, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
It is not unique for autism to be confused with other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), such as Asperger's disorder or syndrome, or to have overlapping symptoms. Doctors use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe individuals with mild symptoms, severe symptoms, or symptoms that fall anywhere in between. Even though autistic symptoms in children may lessen with age, autism is a lifelong disorder.
Autism Signs and Symptoms
It is essential to pay attention to autism symptoms when suspecting that a child may be suffering from the disorder. Doctors look for particular symptoms in communication and social impairments to diagnose autism. The symptoms and aspects of autism can display in a multiplicity of combinations, from mild to extensive. Some typical autism symptoms are given and the intent is to offer a better understanding of the autistic disorder. The diagnostic catalog of symptoms and behaviors characteristic with autism is long, and each affected person expresses his or her own combination of these behaviors.
These symptoms alone don't confirm a diagnosis of autism, but are taken into account when evaluating children. The list of signs and symptoms stated in diverse sources for autism includes those given below.
- social interaction impairment (poor eye-to-eye gazing, lack of social reciprocity, no peer relations)
- communication impairment (can't sustain a conversation, lack of spontaneous play, delay in development of language)
- repeating/stereotyped patterns of behavior (repetitive motor habits, pre-occupation with parts of objects , preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus, repeated hand or finger flapping or twisting, complex whole body movements, preoccupation with parts of objects)
Other symptoms of autism include problems with verbal and nonverbal communication. There might be symptoms not related to autism, and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of symptoms.
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism where language and aptitude are ordinary and autistic symptoms present later in childhood. What distinguishes Asperger's Syndrome from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Cognitive symptoms and social symptoms need to be looked at together as central features of both autism and Asperger's syndrome. Asperger syndrome and autism are fairly similar in behavioral symptoms.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment
There are a multitude of diverse medications that are prescribed to treat the symptoms of autism. It has been reported that there are no well-established medications to treat central symptoms of autism. Some children in treatment programs eliminate enough of their most disabling autism symptoms to function reasonably well in a standard classroom. In 1996, a young boy with autism was given secretin for an endoscopy and showed improvements in some of his symptoms of autism. A few have noted the improvement of autism symptoms to treatment with vancomycin. Medications used to treat anxiety and depression are being investigated as a way to relieve certain autism symptoms. Atypical neuroleptics look to be promising agents to treat behavioral symptoms often arising among autism patients. Authorities believe that early intervention is important in addressing the symptoms associated with autism. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may diminish as the child develops and receives treatment. Over the years, a variety of interventions have demonstrated promise for improving symptoms of autism in certain children.
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