AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER – SYMPTOMS, TYPES, AND DIETARY TIPS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT

It affects social communication, speech, and language mostly affecting children; however, it can be diagnosed at any age. There’s no specific reason for it. Symptoms vary from one child to another. People with autism interact with their social environment in a specific and non-typical manner. At the same time, they can excel in specific areas—for example, they can possess savant skills for learning details, a great long-term memory, and attention to visual and auditory learning.

In other words, it is a difference, as defined by the Austrian American psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner, who is known for his pioneering description and observations on autism. He authored the first article discussing this disorder as “autistic disturbances of affective contact,” stating it as an emotional disturbance that affects individuals and not as a disease that affects patients.

ASD was recognized as a spectrum rather than a disease due to the lack of particular causes or unified symptoms that all children would experience. Consequently, there isn’t one specific treatment that would fit all. It’s a multidisciplinary team approach. Individualized counseling and treatment are used instead to enable children to engage more with their environment and develop better communication.

History and types of Autism

Infantile Autism:

The term ‘autism’ was first used by the psychiatrist Leo Kanner. He noted similar patterns among 10 children who had such common features like delay in language, non-verbal communication, increased sensitivity towards changes in their routine, 
 in interacting with others, and difficulty in interpreting social cues. 

Asperger’s Syndrome:

Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, documented his observations found in children who have poor social skills, strict adherence to routine, and a very limited range of interest. Children who have Asperger’s syndrome, despite having difficulties, possess exceptional skills, good memory, and exceptional intelligence. They differ from other autism categories in the fact that they do not suffer from language difficulties, and they tend to be average or high-level intelligence. Asperger’s syndrome is usually used for people who have advanced language skills but still have difficulty with communication and below three years.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder:

Children with disintegrative disorder of childhood exhibit normal development for a minimum of two years, after which they lose the previously acquired social, communication, and motor skills.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD or Atypical Autism):

Children who exhibit delayed social and communication skills but do not fit in the category of other forms of ASD receive the diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) or atypical autism.

Symptoms

They vary from person to person. Some of the common signs and symptoms are:

• Avoidance of eye contact with other people
• Few or very intense interests 
• Hyper-sensitivity to physical touch or sounds that are 
• Difficulty adapting to routine change
• Avoidance of interaction or physical contact
• Difficulty 
• The speech is delayed and comes in a
• In some cases, there may be seizures, whose onset sometimes starts during adolescence. Seizures not only mean shaking; the most common type of seizures associated with ASD are the absence seizures where the child lose

Other features are often present:

1. The risk of anxiety and depression is higher than that in the general population.
2. Other disorders, e.g., ADHD, can be associated with ASD.

These can interfere with daily functioning in school, at work, and otherwise.

Causes & Risk Factors of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has no specific cause. It has more than one factor that may contribute to its development. Strong factors are genetics, environmental factors, and emotional

Genetics

Genetic illness or genetic mutation in certain children might be the reason. Such a mutation might involve genes that regulate brain growth, disrupt communication among brain cells, or regulate the of clinical symptoms.

Environmental Factors

Environmental reasons, such as complications during pregnancy, medications, or exposure to toxins, can result in the development of autism spectrum disorder.

Emotional Connection

The emotional connection between the child and mother, especially in the first year of life, may also be a factor in the development of ASD. Inability to bond emotionally or emotional deprivation in early childhood can result in the formation of autism-related symptoms.

Risk Factors for Autism

Individuals from every nationality and race can be diagnosed with ASD. However, some possible risk factors associated with its occurrence include:

• Gender: Boys are more likely to be autistic than girls.
• Family History: Families with a single affected child are at higher risk of having more affected children. If parents are autistic, their child may also have problems with social interactions and communication.
• Other Disorders:  Disorders like Fragile X syndrome, which is a genetic disorder resulting in intellectual disability, Tuberous sclerosis, which is a disorder with benign tumors of the brain, and Rett syndrome which results in developmental regression and rhythmic hand movements are more likely to develop ASD.
• Premature Births: Children born before 26 weeks of pregnancy have a higher chance of being diagnosed with autism.

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes multiple procedures such as clinical evaluation, detailed assessments, and observation. The procedure has the following steps:

Clinical Evaluation and Detailed History

The first step in diagnosing ASD is a clinical evaluation that includes a detailed history of the patient’s medical, social,

Overall Developmental Screening

During regular checkups, a general developmental screening is performed to identify symptoms of ASD. If there are symptoms, further evaluation by specialists such as developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, child psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, or speech-language pathologists may be recommended to assess the child’s development in detail.

Diagnosing Adults with ASD

For an adult, the diagnosis requires a clinician to conduct a series of in-person interactions and observations. The clinician will also consider any reported symptoms from the individual as well as their past history of social communication and behavior problems.

Evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorder

1. Language Abilities:
   The pediatric neurologist will evaluate the language & communication skill of the child to assess their verbal & non-verbal skills.
2. Age-Appropriate Skills:
   The pediatric neurologist will evaluate the child for his/her age-appropriate skills such as eating, walking, dressing, and managing nature’s call to measure the degree of independence and development status.
3. Blood Tests and Hearing Tests:
   These tests are conducted to exclude medical conditions that could be the reason for ASD among children.

Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

There is no one single approach to treat ASD.  The treatment involves a team effort, including pediatric neurologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, ABA therapy, and coordination of family, caregivers, and the school system to manage autistic behavior.

The primary goal of treatment is to assist the child in communication, social interaction and make them adjust or adapt to their world in an efficient & reciprocal way.

Role of Parents/ Family and Caregiver

• Understanding the child’s unique symptoms to be able to provide timely intervention
• Creating an environment of support, empowerment, and love
• Becoming familiar with the child’s strengths and needs to be able to help the doctor and the therapists put together an individualized effective treatment plan
• Adhering to the doctor’s instructions, advice, and medications if needed
• Learning how to live and interact with their autistic children, how to be sensitive to the child’s needs, and how to build supportive relationships.
• Seeking help when the condition is overwhelming their ability to manage

Role of Pediatric Neurologist

• Correctly identifying the problem
• Creating a personalized treatment plan
• Motivating the child and counselling their parents
• Prescribing medications that help decrease irritability, aggression, repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression.

Role of Therapists

• Speech therapy: To develop better communication skills.
• Occupational Therapy: To acquire life skills and enhance motor coordination.
• Physical Therapy: To improve movement and balance.
• Psychological Counseling: To address behavioral issues and emotional challenges.

Role of School

• Occasionally, special schools are necessary for certain children for a dedicated education program that fits their special skills.

Prevention of Autism

Although there is no known method for preventing Autism, there are some ways which can minimize the risk of a child getting diagnosed with Autism. Early identification & treatment also helps in managing ASD effectively.

Prenatal Care: During pregnancy, a mother can increase the odds of having a healthy baby by doing these lifestyle changes:

1. Regular visits to your doctor during pregnancy are important to monitor fetal development and eliminate potential genetic illness.
2. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that’s vitamin-rich and contains a good amount of vegetables and fiber.  
3. No smoking, no drinking, no drugs
4. Vaccinations: Make sure to get the rubella vaccine before you get pregnant. It can prevent rubella-associated autism.

Supportive Environment: Having a supportive, emotionally nurturing, and stimulating environment during early childhood may be a key element in the child’s development.

Emotional Bonding: Strengthening the emotional bond between parents and child—especially during the first year of life—can have an impact on the child’s emotional and social development.

Developmental Monitoring: Regular and early development screenings by a pediatric neurologist or a developmental specialist will detect early evidence of developmental delay or disorders.

Diet and diet modification tips for autistic children:

• Keep a consistent schedule for activities and mealtimes to reduce anxiety and routine change irritability.
• Engage the person’s special interests to support dietary changes.
• Minimize noise and strong smells during mealtimes to create a calming environment.
• Make one change at a time and offer similar foods to expand their range.
• Introduce new foods slowly, and involve your child in shopping or preparing meals to make them more familiar.

Progress takes time. Offer support and praise as they take small steps.

Conclusion

Understanding autism isn’t just about recognizing symptoms—it’s about seeing the whole person. While the journey can be complex and different for every individual, with the right support, early intervention, and an inclusive environment, children with autism can thrive in their own unique ways. It’s less about changing them and more about meeting them where they are.