Autism, brain development disorder

Autism is a brain development disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. In addition, autism also causes behavioral disorders and limits the interest of sufferers.

Based on data collected by WHO, autism occurs in 1 in 160 children worldwide. While in Indonesia, until now there is no definitive data on the number of autism sufferers.

It is very important to be aware of the symptoms or characteristics of autism as early as possible, because even though autism cannot be cured, there are various methods to deal with autism that aim to make sufferers adjust to their daily lives.

Understanding Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or more commonly referred to as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's language development and ability to communicate, interact, and behave. Not only autism, ASD also includes Asperger's syndrome, Heller's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder (PPD-NOS).

Autism Risk Factors

Factors that trigger autism are:

1. Gender. Boys have up to 4 times higher risk of experiencing autism compared to girls.
2. Heredity. Parents who have autism run the risk of having children with the same disorder.
3. Transmission during pregnancy. For example, side effects on alcoholic drinks or drugs (especially epilepsy drugs for pregnant women) during pregnancy.
4. The effects of other disorders, such as Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, neurofibromatosis, Tourette's syndrome, cerebral palsy and Rett's syndrome.
5. Premature births, especially babies born 26 weeks or less.

Causes of Autism

The cause of autism is still unknown. However, experts identified the presence of several genes that were suspected of having links to ASD. Sometimes these genes appear and mutate spontaneously. However, in other cases, people may inherit the gene from parents.

In the case of twins, autism can occur due to twin genes. For example, if one twin has autism, the other twin has an autism risk of around 36-95 percent.

People with autism can also experience changes in key areas of their brain that affect the way people talk and behave. Environmental factors may also play a role in the development of ASD, although doctors can confirm the truth.

Autism Symptoms

The symptoms and severity of autism can be different for each sufferer. In patients with autism with mild symptoms, daily activities can still be done normally. But if the symptoms are classified as severe, sufferers will really need help in living their daily lives.

The symptoms that arise are related to the way patients communicate and interact. About 80-90% of sufferers, begin to show symptoms at the age of 2 years. In rare cases, symptoms of autism appear at the age of under 1 year or only appear after the patient is growing up.

Autism symptoms are classified into two categories, namely:

First Category: This category refers to people with autism with impaired social interaction and communication. These symptoms can include problems with sensitivity to the social environment and impaired use of verbal and nonverbal language.

Second Category: Persons with austime with disorders that include rigid thought patterns, interests, and repetitive behaviors. Examples of repetitive movements, for example tapping or squeezing hands, and feeling annoyed when the routine is interrupted.

Generally, people with autism tend to have problems in learning and other psychiatric conditions, such as hyperactivity disorder or also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and depression.

Autism Diagnosis

There is no specific test that can diagnose autism. Instead, doctors will usually diagnose based on behavioral and observational reports.

Autism treatment

People with austism cannot be cured. Therefore, parents should be aware of symptoms as early as possible. However, there are many types of treatments that can be done to help people with autism to adjust to their daily lives and develop their full potential.

Handling measures carried out on each person can differ. However, the treatment given to people with autism is generally in the form of therapy. Here are some choices of therapy methods for people with autism:

Behavior Therapy and Communication

This therapy is done by giving a number of teachings to the sufferer, including daily basic abilities, both verbal and nonverbal.

This therapy provides a number of teachings to sufferers, including daily basic skills, both verbal and nonverbal, including:

• Applied behavior analysis (ABA). Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy helps sufferers to behave positively in all situations. This therapy also helps sufferers develop their ability to communicate and leave negative behaviors.
• Developmental, individual differences, relationship-based approach (DIR). DIR or commonly called Floortime, focuses on developing emotional relationships between autistic children and families.
• Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy encourages sufferers to live independently, by teaching some basic abilities, such as dressing, eating, bathing, and interacting with others.
• Speech therapy. Speech therapy helps people with autism learn to develop communication skills.
• Treatment and education of autistic and related communication-handicapped children (TEACCH). This therapy uses visual cues such as pictures that show the stages of doing something. TEACCH will help sufferers understand how to do daily activities, for example to change clothes.
• The picture exchange communication system (PECS). This therapy also uses visual cues such as TEACCH. But PECS uses symbols, to help sufferers communicate and learn to ask questions.

Family Therapy

This therapy is intended for parents and families with autism. The goal is for the family to learn how to interact with the sufferer and also teach the person with normal speech and behavior.

Giving Medicines

Giving drugs can not cure autism, but can control the symptoms. For example drugs to treat seizures, drugs to treat behavioral problems, drugs to treat depression, and medications to treat sleep disorders.

Prevention of Autism

The first step that must be taken by parents if your child shows these symptoms is to contact a doctor. Handling that is done as early as possible for people with autism can increase the effectiveness of the development of the condition.

When to see a doctor?

If your child experiences the signs and symptoms above, contact your doctor immediately if you feel the symptoms - symptoms above. Proper handling can minimize the effects so that treatment can be done more quickly.

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