Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome is a condition of autism where language and intelligence 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.
Variability of Autism Symptoms
Autism is sometimes coupled with retardation, which makes the majority of teaching techniques ineffective. While the symptoms of autism may vary greatly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which would help everyone. Because of autism's variety, its symptoms seem best understood when given descriptively and with particular examples. In addition, signs and symptoms of Autism may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Children with Autism symptoms also vary a good deal in their mental abilities along with their communicative skills. Autism symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary in intensity from symptom to symptom. Children with autism may exhibit a wide range of symptoms, which range in severity from mild to disabling.
Doctors use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe persons 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. Notwithstanding autistic symptoms in children ought to lessen with age, autism is a lifelong disorder.
Autism Signs and Symptoms
The diagnostic list 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 substantiate a diagnosis of autism, but are taken into consideration when evaluating children. The list of signs and symptoms cited in diverse resources for autism includes those given below. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can display in a multiplicity of combinations, from mild to severe. Some typical autism symptoms are presented and the intent is to offer a better understanding of the autistic disorder. It is vital to pay attention to autism symptoms when suspecting that a child may be suffering from the disorder. Doctors look for specific symptoms in communication and social impairments to diagnose autism.
- 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)
Further 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 a complete list of symptoms.
Severity of Symptoms
Clinical accounts indicate 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, particularly in mildly affected persons or in those 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. There is a range of severity in autism symptoms, and for this reason the term “autism spectrum disorders” is frequently used. Children with autism could have different behaviors and abilities because of the severity of their symptoms.
Diagnosis
Just your doctor can provide 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 related 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 minimally two from social impairment, and one each from communication impairment and behavior impairment. Diagnosis of autism may be difficult, because 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).
Because the symptoms of autism can differ vastly from person to person, there is no one 'best' treatment which will assist everyone. Children with autism may display mild, moderate or substantial symptoms in three areas (social, communication and behavior). Certain 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 go back and showed typical symptoms of autism by age 2.
Conclusion - Autism Treatment
There are numerous 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. Medications used to treat anxiety and depression are being investigated as a way to relieve certain autism symptoms. Atypical neuroleptics appear to be promising agents to treat behavioral symptoms frequently arising among autism patients. Some children in treatment programs lose sufficient 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 exhibited 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 crucial in addressing the symptoms associated with autism. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may decrease as the child develops and receives care. Over the years, a variety of interventions have demonstrated promise for improving symptoms of autism in particular children.
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