Severity of Symptoms
There is a range of severity in autism symptoms, and for this reason the term “autism spectrum disorders” is frequently used. Children with autism may have numerous behaviors and abilities because of the severity of their symptoms. Based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people with autism have normal life expectancies and can lead normal or near-normal lives, depending on the severity of their symptoms. Clinical accounts suggest that conditions resembling autism do not differ just in terms of severity, but also in pattern of symptoms. Due to the fact that it varies widely in its severity and symptoms, autism could go unrecognized, particularly in mildly affected individuals or in individuals with multiple handicaps.
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism where language and aptitude are normal 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 core features of both autism and Asperger's syndrome. Asperger syndrome and autism are fairly similar in behavioral symptoms.
Diagnosis
Only your doctor can provide adequate 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. Diagnosis of autism could 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 verified by the presence or absence of a collection of behavioral symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The diagnosis of Autistic Disorder consists of a total of at minimum 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 might exhibit mild, moderate or substantial symptoms in three areas (social, communication and behavior). Because the symptoms of autism can vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which will help everyone. A few children exhibited symptoms of autism in their first-year birthday video, such as less frequent use of words or babbling. Other autistic children who behaved typically at age 1, appeared to go back and suggested typical symptoms of autism by age 2.
Doctors use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe people with mild symptoms, severe symptoms, or symptoms that fall anywhere in between. Though autistic symptoms in children ought to lessen with age, autism is a lifetime disorder. It is not unusual for autism to be confused with other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), such as Asperger's disorder or syndrome, or to have overlapping symptoms.
Autism Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms and characteristics of autism can display in a multiplicity of combinations, from mild to considerable. Some typical autism symptoms are given and the intent is to create a better understanding of the autistic disorder. It is essential to pay attention to autism symptoms when suspecting that a child might be dealing with from the disorder. Doctors look for specific symptoms in communication and social impairments to diagnose autism. The diagnostic listing of symptoms and behaviors characteristic with autism is extended, and each affected person expresses his or her own combination of these behaviors.
These symptoms alone don't establish a diagnosis of autism, but are taken into consideration when evaluating children. The catalog of signs and symptoms stated in a large number of sources for autism includes those presented 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)
Additional symptoms of autism include problems with verbal and nonverbal communication. There could be symptoms not related to autism, and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of symptoms.
Variability of Autism Symptoms
Autism is sometimes coupled with retardation, which makes the majority of teaching techniques ineffective. While the symptoms of autism can vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which could help everyone. Autism symptoms can range from mild to severe and differ in intensity from symptom to symptom. Children with autism can display a wide range of symptoms, which range in severity from mild to disabling. Due to autism's variety, its symptoms seem best understood when presented descriptively and with particular examples. In addition, signs and symptoms of Autism might 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.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment
Some children in treatment programs eliminate enough of their most disabling autism symptoms to function reasonably well in a regular classroom. In 1996, a young boy with autism was supplied secretin for an endoscopy and showed improvements in a few 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 explored as a way to diminish certain autism symptoms. Atypical neuroleptics appear to be promising agents to treat behavioral symptoms frequently occurring among autism patients. Over the years, a variety of interventions have shown promise for improving symptoms of autism in particular children. Authorities are in agreement that early intervention is significant in addressing the symptoms characteristic of autism. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may diminish as the child develops and receives care. There are many different medications that are prescribed to treat the symptoms of autism. It has been reported that there are no well-established medications to treat core symptoms of autism.
|