Understanding Autism - Diagnosis and Treatment

If you see the symptoms of autism in a child, take the child to the doctor so that he or she can be properly diagnosed and treated.?

Diagnosing Autism

As parents, if you notice symptoms of autism or have doubts about your child?s behaviour or responsiveness to senses, it is important to take him or her to the paediatrician before making any self-diagnosis. The doctor will then conduct a thorough examination and note all the milestones the child has reached.

In any case, children must have routine check-ups to monitor growth and development. There is cause for concern if the child cannot meet the following milestones:

• Pointing, waving bye and babbling by 12 months
• Saying single words by 16 months
• Making up two word phrases by 24 months
• Also get a check-up if the child loses language or social skills at any age

The child then undergoes further tests like hearing tests, blood tests for checking lead levels and screening tests for autism. It?s important that the diagnosis be made by a paediatrician who is experienced in dealing with autistic children. A thorough neurological check-up is also important to detect other psychiatric conditions like intellectual disability, anxiety, genetic disorders, epilepsy (fits) and metabolic errors like phenyketonuria. Screening for genetic and metabolic disorders should be included.

As autism includes many symptoms it helps to have a team of specialists to evaluate the child. Key areas like language and motor skills, communication, thinking processes and performance in school should be evaluated.

Treating Autism

Treatment options for Autism are diverse.

1. Drug therapy ? Risperidone is the drug of choice for children aged 5-16 years to control the aggression and irritability associated with autism. Other psychiatric drugs are used symptomatically. There is no medicine to improve the autistic condition per se.
2. Dietary guidelines ? Some studies show that eliminating gluten and/or casein improves the condition. Gluten is present in wheat, barley and rye while casein is found in milk, cheese and other dairy products. Consult a nutritionist to make sure the child is receiving a balanced diet if restricting the above foods.
3. Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) ?This is a one-on-one teaching program that aims to teach basic skills so that the child can function as normally as possible.
4. Occupational Therapy ? It is important to empower a person with autism with some skills so that he can earn a living.
5. Speech Therapy ? This should be done by an experienced therapist. Most children can have good basic speech skills like vocabulary and spellings if speech therapy is started early.
6. Physical therapy ? This is a good means for autistic children to be in a group (social setting) and vent out their anger and frustration through physical activities.

Prognosis

Due to increased awareness about autism, the outlook today is more positive than before. In the olden days, most autistic individuals were compelled to be institutionalised. Today, most symptoms can be improved resulting in autistic people being able to live with their families.

Support groups such as Action for Autism (AFA) are a national and non-profit society pledged to give support and offer services to persons with autism and people working with them. The aim is to put autism on the Indian map. They work through direct services, advocacy and research to improve the lives of children with autism and their families. They also help other countries in South Asia achieve legal recognition of autism and develop services for those afflicted.

Written by Dr Nisreen Nakhoda, General Physician

Photograph by hepinting, via Creative Commons

Related posts:

Understanding Autism ? Signs and symptoms
1. Intellectual Disability ? Diagnosis and Treatment
2. Down?s Syndrome ? Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
3. Speech & Language Disorders ? An Introduction
4. Intellectual Disability ? Grades and Symptoms

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