Variability of Autism Symptoms
Due to autism's variety, its symptoms seem best understood when given descriptively and with specific examples. In addition, signs and symptoms of Autism might vary on an individual basis for each patient. Children with Autism symptoms in addition vary a good deal in their mental abilities as well as their communicative skills. Autism symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary in intensity from symptom to symptom. Children with autism might exhibit a wide range of symptoms, which range in severity from mild to disabling. Autism is sometimes coupled with retardation, which makes most teaching techniques ineffective. Due to the fact that the symptoms of autism could vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which would 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 numerous behaviors and abilities due to the severity of their symptoms. Clinical accounts indicate that conditions resembling autism do not differ just in terms of severity, but also in pattern of symptoms. As it varies widely in its severity and symptoms, autism may go unrecognized, particularly in mildly affected individuals or in individuals with multiple handicaps. Based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), persons with autism have normal life expectancies and can lead normal or near-normal lives, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of autism could be hard, because the condition varies widely in terms of its symptoms and degree of severity. The diagnosis of autism is substantiated by the occurrence 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 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. Just your doctor can give out adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed autism symptoms. He or she can help to determine whether the symptoms are caused by autism, a linked disorder, or another condition.
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 normally at age 1, appeared to go back and showed typical symptoms of autism by age 2. Children with autism may exhibit mild, moderate or severe symptoms in three areas (social, communication and behavior). Because the symptoms of autism could vary vastly from person to person, there is no one 'best' care which will help everyone.
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
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. Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism where language and intelligence are typical 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.
Even though autistic symptoms in children may lessen with age, autism is a lifetime disorder. 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.
Autism Signs and Symptoms
It is valuable to pay attention to autism symptoms when suspecting that a child may be dealing with from the disorder. Doctors look for specific symptoms in communication and social impairments to diagnose autism. The diagnostic catalog of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism is extended, 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 consideration when evaluating children. The catalog of signs and symptoms cited in a large number of sources for autism includes those given below. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can display in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to substantial. Some typical autism symptoms are presented and the intent is to provide a better understanding of the autistic disorder.
- 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)
More symptoms of autism include difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. There might be symptoms not related to autism, and this is certainly not intended to be an exhaustive list of symptoms.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment
There are multiple 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. Medications used to treat anxiety and depression are being investigated as a way to diminish certain autism symptoms. Atypical neuroleptics look to be promising agents to treat behavioral symptoms frequently arising among autism patients. Over the years, a variety of interventions have shown promise for improving symptoms of autism in some children. Some children in treatment programs lose enough of their most disabling autism symptoms to function reasonably well in a standard classroom. In 1996, a young boy with autism was supplied secretin for an endoscopy and showed improvements in some of his symptoms of autism. Some have noted the improvement of autism symptoms to treatment with vancomycin. Experts believe that early intervention is significant in addressing the symptoms characteristic of autism. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may decrease as the child develops and receives care.
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