Autism Spectrum Disorder - Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Autism includes communication, behavioural and social challenges which can be severe or mild. For example, children diagnosed with such disorders might experience trouble expressing their feelings. However, proper support and treatment procedures can help reduce symptoms and manage the disorder.

Read this article to learn more about autism spectrum disorder, its types, causes and treatment procedures.

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions related to brain development. It is a developmental disability that happens due to differences in your brain. If you have ASD, you will find it challenging to interact and communicate with others. Certain behaviours will be repetitive, and you have different ways to move, learn and pay attention to things. 

This disorder starts in early childhood, and brings difficulties in performing daily activities.     

The common types of autism spectrum disorder are as follows:

1. Asperger’s Syndrome

One of the mildest traits of autism, a person with this trait might be very intelligent and highly functioning. However, they find it difficult to communicate in social surroundings. If you know someone with this trait, notice how they are focused on their favourite topics and continue discussing them. 

Other symptoms include trouble reading body language and facial expressions, inability to understand humour or irony, lacking eye contact and repetition of certain behaviours and activities.

2. Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

This trait's symptoms are more severe than those in Asperger's syndrome. This trait is most prevalent in children. You will notice symptoms such as poor communication and slurred speech, issues in special behaviour, reduced skill development, problems accepting criticism or changes, weird responses to sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, etc. This trait is also known as atypical autism.

3. Autistic Disorder

This trait comes with almost similar symptoms but at a much more intense level. You will notice trouble communicating with people, challenging interacting socially with others, and noticing repetitive behaviours. 

Some additional symptoms also include disturbances in sleeping or eating. In addition, children who are diagnosed with such traits find it difficult to play with others or interact with their friends.

4. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

One of the rarest and most severe traits children with this type tend to develop normally for the first few years but start to lose mental, social and communication skills fast. They also lose self-care and social skills, motor skills and bladder control. Since they cannot express themselves, others might find it difficult to understand them.

You will notice a unique mixture of symptoms in every child, and the severity level differs from child to child. The potential symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are:

1. Problems in Social Interaction

One of the major symptoms, children with this disorder fail to respond to their names or do not respond when their names are being called out. Instead, they prefer to play alone and resist cuddling and holding. They also lack eye contact and facial expression and face problems in communicating.

2. Repetition of Phrases

Children with this disorder face challenges in speaking or have delayed speech. They are unable to start any conversation, and if they speak, they do so to request someone or something. 

Some even speak with an abnormal tone, while some tend to repeat words and phrases without understanding the proper usage. You will notice that they need help understanding simple directions and questions.

3. Unable to Express Feelings

Children with such disorders cannot express their feelings and emotions properly. Also, they are unaware of other people's feelings. Also, they cannot share their interest points and become aggressive and passive during social interactions.

4. Unable to Recognise Non-verbal Cues

Autistic children face issues in recognising non-verbal cues and cannot comprehend other people's facial expressions, tone, or body posture. Further, they cannot interpret certain gestures, signs, and symbols.

5. Unusual Behavioural Pattern

Autistic children tend to perform repetitive body movements such as flapping their hands, spinning, or rocking. Since they tend to get habituated to a specific routine, any change or change in their schedule frustrates them.

6. Clumsiness and Stiff Body Language

These children face challenges while trying to make certain body movements. They are unable to coordinate and hence become clumsy. This results in stiff or sometimes exaggerated body language. Moreover, they get fascinated by an object but do not understand its function. Also, they tend to fix any object with abnormal movements and focus.

7. Causes Self-Harm

Autistic children can cause self-harm during certain periods. This can include biting, scratching, banging their head repeatedly or scratching oneself. They are generally sensitive to light, sound, and touch, although sometimes they might not feel pain.

The exact cause of autism spectrum disorder is unknown. However, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, both environment and genetics play a major role in a person developing this disorder. Here are some possible causes of autism spectrum disorder:

• If you have any family members who are autistic (inherited genetic mutation).
• Fragile X syndrome or another other genetic disorder.
• Low weight during birth.
• Extreme exposure to toxins and other heavy metals.
• Imbalances in body metabolism.
• Family history of viral infection.
• The exposure of the foetus to thalidomide or valproic acid.
• Complications during pregnancy.

The risk factors of autism spectrum disorder are listed below.

• Boys are more prone to develop this disorder than girls.
• If you have one child with this disorder, there are higher chances of the other one having it too.
• Children with disorders such as tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome can be at risk.
• If your child is born before the required time of gestations, there are higher risks of them having this disorder.

The process to diagnose autism spectrum disorder includes:

• Through developmental screenings, doctors can understand if your child has ASD at an earlier stage. This helps in early diagnosis and hence treatment.
• Modified checklist for autism in toddlers is a type of screening mechanism through which a paediatrician tries to comprehend if a child has autism. 
• Your doctor can also prescribe DNA testing to comprehend if there are any underlying genetic diseases.
• This is followed by behavioural evaluation and audio and visual tests that help rule out chances of problems in vision or hearing that are not associated with ASD.
• Your doctor can also undergo occupational screening methods to determine the disorder.
• Your doctor will recommend you to a child psychologist if your child has the disorder.
• Occupational therapists/speech and language pathologists will also help in determining the disorder.

There are various treatment procedures to reduce the symptoms of ASD. Well, the goal of the treatment is to enable your child to function properly. Treatments for autism spectrum disorder include:

1. Therapy

Through effective behavioural, communication, and educational therapies can be treated well. Through these therapies, your therapist can also teach new skills and help your child focus on their skills and talents. In addition, many programs and activities help a child develop their social and communication skills. Doctors believe that children with this disorder tend to respond well to appropriate educational programs.

2. Family Counselling

Family and close ones can play a major role in helping the autistic child to cope with their behavioural pattern, playing and interacting with the child, teaching them communication skills, and appreciating them for their good deeds and activities are certain methods that will help a child manage the symptoms.

3. Medications

There are no specific medications that help to improve ASD. However, if your child is hyperactive, doctors might suggest antipsychotic drugs. They might prescribe antidepressants if your child is suffering from anxiety. Melatonin can be prescribed if your child is having issues with sleep.

Sometimes the symptoms can go out of control and hamper daily life activity. In these cases, seeing or consulting a doctor will be helpful. Here is when you must consult a doctor:

• If you notice sudden aggressive and violent behaviour.
• If your child hurts or self-harms oneself.
• Hamper in performing activities due to over-impulsive behaviour.

The only way to control the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder is by preventing the occurrence of symptoms. You can do that in the following ways:

• Try to keep a risk plan or a schedule.
• Try to help your child indulge in fun activities/creative tasks.
• Praise your child for their good activities.
• Consult your doctor and allow your child to perform certain exercises that will promote their well-being.
• Try to keep sensitive things/objects away from the child.
• Eat healthily and maintain a healthy diet.
• Travel a lot with your child.

So now you know all about autism spectrum disorder and the ways to treat it. However, the disorder might deteriorate if you do not opt for treatment at an early stage. Therefore, whenever you notice signs and symptoms of ASD, try consulting a doctor for better results in the long term.