Variability of Autism Symptoms
Due to autism's variety, its symptoms seem best understood when presented descriptively and with specific examples. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Autism could vary on an individual basis for each patient. Children with Autism symptoms also vary a good deal in their mental abilities as well as their communicative skills. Autism is sometimes coupled with retardation, which makes the majority of teaching techniques ineffective. While the symptoms of autism could vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which is able to help everyone. Autism symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary in intensity from symptom to symptom. Children with autism can display a wide range of symptoms, which range in severity from mild to disabling.
Diagnosis
Just your doctor can give out 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. 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 minimally two from social impairment, and one each from communication impairment and behavior impairment. Diagnosis of autism might 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 confirmed by the occurrence or absence of a cluster of behavioral symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
Children with autism might exhibit mild, moderate or substantial symptoms in three areas (social, communication and behavior). Because the symptoms of autism might vary vastly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which will help everyone. Some children showed symptoms of autism in their first-year birthday video, for example less frequent use of words or babbling. Additional autistic children who behaved typically at age 1, appeared to regress and showed typical symptoms of autism by age 2.
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 diverse behaviors and abilities due to the severity of their symptoms. Clinical accounts hint that that conditions resembling autism do not vary 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 may go unrecognized, particularly in mildly affected individuals or in those with multiple handicaps. According to 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.
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 quite similar in behavioral symptoms. Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism where language and aptitude are standard 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.
Doctors use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe people with mild symptoms, severe symptoms, or symptoms that fall anywhere in between. 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. Given that autistic symptoms in children may lessen with age, autism is a lifelong disorder.
Autism Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to considerable. Some typical autism symptoms are given and the intent is to offer a better understanding of the autistic disorder. It is essential 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 list of symptoms and behaviors associated 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 consideration when evaluating children. The list of signs and symptoms stated in various 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 a complete list of symptoms.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment
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. Professionals think that early intervention is crucial in addressing the symptoms characteristic of autism. Children don't "outgrow" autism but symptoms may moderate as the child develops and receives care. Some children in treatment programs eliminate sufficient of their most disabling autism symptoms to function reasonably well in a conventional classroom. In 1996, a young boy with autism was supplied secretin for an endoscopy and exhibited improvements in particular 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 seem 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.
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