As you all know I have been writing on the topics related to Mental Health and different aspects of our life which triggers stress and certain Mental ailment. The aim: To spread some awareness.

Earlier I had written about Depression {Depression has no face} and today I am presenting my first post on Autism Disorder Awareness. This is the 1st of the 3 posts on ADA as this subject has a lot to understand and a lot to explain.

I would suggest that when one reads about these kinds of illness and tries to learn about the symptoms and solutions, should be open-minded, be human and above all try to be an empath, it makes the road little easier to travel and get closer to the minds of the pain warriors fighting these disorders.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder are not abnormal they don’t even seek others acceptance, they just want to be understood and loved normally. It is their fight within, the struggle within, which they cannot even communicate to their near ones which leads to unlimited stress and trauma.

Society here also plays a very prevalent and dominating role by categorizing the parameters of judging someone normal or abnormal, acceptable or unacceptable, lovable or unlovable and we grow with this conditioning.

Just imagine if we all grow with similar conditioning will we ever be able to make a difference in anybody’s life? Will we ever be able to make this world a better place for living? Let’s talk about it.

Autism, it might be a short word but it holds a different meaning for different people, we categorize people from normal to abnormal, with order and disorder just because of the chemical lochas (miswiring) in our neurological atmosphere.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex neurobehavioral condition characterized by various daily life challenges in social interaction, basic communication, repetitive behavior, speech, and nonverbal communication.

Autism being a spectrum disorder, that includes a range of linked conditions and each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn to think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. it depends upon the type of autism a person is influenced in.

Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

What is the early identification of Autism Disorder?

• Symptoms of Autism are known to appear as early as infancy and in the first two years of life.
• Identifying the child at an early age is early identification of autism
• The average age of diagnosis of autism disorder in a child is three years.

Why do we need to identify autism disorder at an early age?

• It gives answers to the parents who are concerned about the child’s atypical development.
• The transition from the unfocused worry to the mobilized efforts to learn about the disorder.
• It allows the most appropriate and timely treatment to be selected and delivered.
• Increases the chances of better outcomes when intervention begins earlier.

What are the early symptoms of autism disorder in infants?

• Decreased imitation.
• Decreased social responses, responses to their name, looking at other people, social smiles, fewer appropriate facial expressions.
• Increased sensory and stereotypic behaviors.
• Decreased nonverbal communication and gestures.

What are the early symptoms of autism disorder in Toddlers?

• Children with autism often have problems developing motor skills, such as running, throwing a ball or even learning how to write.
• Lack of expected language and social behaviors.
• Lack of non-verbal development.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Once the above mentioned early symptoms are identified, it is always advisable to seek help from a trained pediatric neurologist. Early identification and early intervention might have a very significant impact on overall outcome of child’s development.

Early interventions can change a life.

Reference: From the doctor’s desk of Child Neurology Division, AIIMS, Delhi.

Much love and gratitude

Priyanka

Sanity Daily