Autism in children: the warning signs

Autism - a brain disorder that often leads to difficulties in communication. In the case of autism parts of the brain do not work properly together. Most people with autism have problems communicating with others. However, early diagnosis and treatment to help a growing number of autism achieve their full potential.

What causes autism

Autism often manifests itself in families, so experts consider it a hereditary disease. Scientists are trying to figure out which genes are responsible for autism.

Other researchers are finding out whether the lie is not the cause of autism or other diseases in the child's environment.

Some people think that childhood vaccines cause autism. However, no studies have confirmed this. Timely vaccination is very important to children's health.

Who is affected by autism

Autism - a disease more common than many people think. According to statistics, about one person in a hundred suffers from autism.

But studies show that this disease affects men more often than women. It is an incurable disease. Children suffering from autism are living with the disease throughout his life.

Causes

In autism, as is currently known, there is no one particular reason. It is believed that the cause of this disease becomes a combination of two factors:

• Genetic problems. With the development of autism linked several genes. Some of them cause a child's predisposition to the disease. Others affect the development of the brain or at the way brain cells interact. Certain genes may also affect the severity of symptoms. Each problem associated with certain genes individually may not have any serious consequences, but together they lead to the development of the disease. Some genetic problems leading to autism are hereditary, others appear spontaneously.
• External factors. Viral infections, pregnancy complications and air pollution, presumably, can become triggers of autism in children.

Risk factors:

• Paul Child. Boys 4-5 times more likely to have autism than girls.
• Family history. If a family had a child autistic, there is an increased likelihood that in the future, these parents also will be born children with this disorder. In addition, parents or relatives of autistic children often observed social problems and communication difficulties - usually mild.

What are the symptoms

The symptoms always occur before the age of three years. Usually parents notice that their toddler has not started talking, and does not behave like other children his age. However, it sometimes happens that a child begins to speak, and then loses speech skills.

Delay in development of speech, or the child does not begin to say. It may seem that the child can not hear, even if the survey shows that it is not deaf.

Repeated, sometimes excessively, behaviors, interests and games. For example, a child all the time swinging abnormally attached to certain objects or very upset when changing the usual course of things.

Parents of children suffering from autism often report that the child prefers to play alone and does not come into eye contact with other people.

Autism may also include the following issues:

• Many children have below-normal intelligence
• Teenagers often suffer from depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood   and anxiety, especially those who have normal intelligence or above average.
• Some children in adolescence develop seizures.

When to see a doctor

All children develop differently, and normal that someone a little ahead or behind in the development of their children. But children with autism are some signs of the disease usually appear in the first year of life. Usually, experts recommend to pass inspection if the child:

• By 6 months does not smile and do not express the joy of facial expressions;
• By 9 months, does not imitate sounds and facial expressions;
• By 12 months lopochet and utters sounds similar to the word;
• For 12 months no gestures;
• By 16 months does not say a single word;
• By 24 months does not say two-word phrases, and more.

At any age, it begins to lose previously acquired speech and social skills.

How are diagnosed with autism

Doctors have standards by which they understand, whether the child exhibits symptoms of autism. Symptoms are divided into three categories.

• Social interactions and relationships. For example, a child avoids eye contact. Autistic difficult to understand other people's feelings, such as pain or sadness.
• Verbal and nonverbal communication. For example, the child is not talking. Or endlessly utters the same phrase.
• Limited interest. For example, young children often play with toys one part and not to the entire toy. Older children or adults can passionately interested in one narrow topic, for example, trading card or number signs.

Also, the child may be screened hearing and other similar tests to determine whether the deviations are not caused by other diseases.

Diagnosis of the disease is the formal identification, which usually carries a pediatrician or therapist. The diagnosis is important for two reasons:

• It helps people with autism (and their families) to understand why they are experiencing some difficulties, and what to do.
• The diagnosis allows patients to receive the necessary medical care.

To diagnose doctor refers the patient to a specialist. Many people diagnosed with "autism" as a child. In this case, the parents or guardians may ask the attending physician referral to a specialist.

How is autism

For the treatment of autism used behavioral therapy. Such therapy rewards good behavior and because of this child learns social skills and communication.

Depending on the individual characteristics of the child's treatment may include verbal or physical therapy. For the treatment of problems such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, medication may be used.

Since people with autism are very different, some treatments may not be suitable for everyone. So be sure to involve all those involved in the education of the child Raising a child: who will win? And try different methods to find the most suitable.

Myths about autism

There is a myth that people with autism do not have any emotions Emotions and culture: how to decipher the emotional code . But they feel a sense of happiness, love, sadness just like everyone else. And the fact that they can not express their feelings in the same way that they express the healthy people, does not mean that they have no emotions at all. They also know how to feel. This myth, which is the result of ignorance of society, it is necessary to dispel teaching people attentive and sensitive treatment of autistic people.

Not every person with autism possess any extraordinary gift or a genius, for example, in mathematics or music. These are ordinary people, just like everyone else, but with autism.

As the family cope with raising an autistic child

An important part of treatment is to rest of the family know everything you need about autism and learned to cope with the symptoms of a child. This will reduce the stress level How to beat stress? Create an oasis   the remaining members of the family and help the child.

The treatment can help not only doctors, but also friends, doctors, teachers, and organizations of people with similar problems.

Advice

• Schedule breaks. Caring for a child with autism - a heavy daily work. Plan your breaks will help the whole family.
• Ask for help when the child grows up, especially in the teenage years.
• Communicate with other families raising children with autism. You can discuss their problems and share advice with people who understand you.