Autistic people can. What is autism in children and where does it come from? Disturbed social interaction

Autism cannot be cured. In other words, there are no pills for autism. Only early diagnosis and many years of qualified pedagogical support can help a child with autism.

Autism as an independent disorder was first described by L. Kanner in 1942; in 1943, similar disorders in older children were described by G. Asperger, and in 1947 by S. S. Mnukhin.

Autism is a severe disorder of mental development, in which the ability to communicate and social interaction primarily suffers. The behavior of children with autism is also characterized by strict stereotyping (from repeated repetition of elementary movements, such as shaking hands or jumping, to complex rituals) and often destructiveness (aggression, self-harm, screaming, negativism, etc.).

The level of intellectual development in autism can be very different: from severe mental retardation to giftedness in certain areas of knowledge and art; In some cases, children with autism have no speech, and there are deviations in the development of motor skills, attention, perception, emotional and other areas of the psyche. More than 80% of children with autism are disabled...

The exceptional diversity of the spectrum of disorders and their severity allows us to reasonably consider the education and upbringing of children with autism to be the most difficult section of correctional pedagogy.

Back in 2000, the prevalence of autism was thought to be between 5 and 26 cases per 10,000 children. In 2005, there was an average of one case of autism per 250-300 newborns: this is more common than isolated deafness and blindness combined, Down syndrome, diabetes mellitus or childhood cancer. According to the World Autism Organization, in 2008 there was 1 case of autism in 150 children. Over ten years, the number of children with autism has increased 10 times. It is believed that the upward trend will continue in the future.

According to the international classification of diseases ICD-10, autistic disorders proper include:

• childhood autism (F84.0) (autistic disorder, infantile autism, infantile psychosis, Kanner syndrome);
• atypical autism (with onset after 3 years) (F84.1);
• Rett syndrome (F84.2);
• Asperger's syndrome - autistic psychopathy (F84.5);

What is autism?

In recent years, autistic disorders have come to be grouped under the acronym ASD—autism spectrum disorder.

Kanner syndrome

Kanner syndrome in the strict sense of the word is characterized by a combination of the following main symptoms:

1. inability to establish meaningful relationships with people from the beginning of life;
2. extreme isolation from the outside world, ignoring environmental stimuli until they become painful;
3. insufficient communicative use of speech;
4. lack or insufficient eye contact;
5. fear of changes in the environment (“identity phenomenon”, according to Kanner);
6. immediate and delayed echolalia (“gramophone or parrot speech”, according to Kanner);
7. delayed development of the “I”;
8. stereotypical games with non-play objects;
9. clinical manifestation of symptoms no later than 2-3 years.

When using these criteria it is important:

• do not expand their content (for example, distinguish between the inability to establish contact with other people and active avoidance of contact);
• build diagnostics at the syndromological level, and not on the basis of formal recording of the presence of certain symptoms;
• take into account the presence or absence of procedural dynamics of the identified symptoms;
• take into account that the inability to establish contact with other people creates conditions for social deprivation, leading in turn to the appearance in the clinical picture of symptoms of secondary developmental delays and compensatory formations.

A child usually comes to the attention of specialists no earlier than 2-3 years, when the disorders become quite obvious. But even then, parents often find it difficult to determine violations, resorting to value judgments: “Strange, not like everyone else.” Often the true problem is masked by imaginary or real disorders that are more understandable to parents - for example, delayed speech development or hearing impairment. In retrospect, it is often possible to find out that already in the first year the child reacted poorly to people, did not take a ready pose when picked up, and when picked up was unusually passive. “Like a bag of sand,” parents sometimes say. He was afraid of household noises (vacuum cleaner, coffee grinder, etc.), not getting used to them over time, and showed unusual selectivity in food, refusing food of a certain color or type. For some parents, this kind of violation becomes obvious only in retrospect when compared with the behavior of the second child.

Asperger's syndrome

As with Kanner syndrome, they determine communication disorders, underestimation of reality, a limited and unique, stereotypical range of interests that distinguish such children from their peers. Behavior is determined by impulsiveness, contrasting affects, desires, and ideas; behavior often lacks internal logic.

Some children early discover the ability to develop an unusual, non-standard understanding of themselves and those around them. Logical thinking is preserved or even well developed, but knowledge is difficult to reproduce and is extremely uneven. Active and passive attention are unstable, but individual autistic goals are achieved with great energy.

Unlike other cases of autism, there is no significant delay in speech and cognitive development. In appearance, one notices a detached expression on the face, which gives it “beauty”, frozen facial expressions, gaze turned into emptiness, fleeting fixation on faces. There are few expressive facial movements, and gesticulation is poor. Sometimes the facial expression is concentrated and self-absorbed, the gaze is directed “inward.” Motor skills are angular, movements are irregular, with a tendency towards stereotypies. The communicative functions of speech are weakened, and it itself is unusually modulated, unique in melody, rhythm and tempo, the voice sounds sometimes quiet, sometimes it hurts the ear, and in general speech is often similar to recitation. There is a tendency towards word creation, which sometimes persists even after puberty, an inability to automate skills and implement them externally, and an attraction to autistic games. Characterized by attachment to home, not to loved ones.

Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome begins to appear between the ages of 8 and 30 months. gradually, without external reasons, against the background of normal (in 80% of cases) or slightly delayed motor development.

Detachment appears, already acquired skills are lost, speech development is suspended for 3-6 months. There is a complete collapse of previously acquired speech reserves and skills. At the same time, violent “washing-type” movements arise in the hands. Later, the ability to hold objects is lost, ataxia, dystonia, muscle atrophy, kyphosis, and scoliosis appear. Chewing is replaced by sucking, breathing becomes disordered. In a third of cases, epileptiform seizures are observed.

By the age of 5-6 years, the tendency towards the progression of disorders softens, the ability to assimilate individual words and primitive play returns, but then the progression of the disease increases again. There is a gross progressive decay of motor skills, sometimes even walking, characteristic of the final stages of severe organic diseases of the central nervous system. In children with Rett syndrome, against the background of a total collapse of all spheres of activity, emotional adequacy and attachments corresponding to the level of their mental development are preserved for the longest time. Subsequently, severe motor disorders, profound static disorders, loss of muscle tone, and profound dementia develop.

Unfortunately, modern medicine and pedagogy are not able to help children with Rett syndrome. We are forced to admit that this is the most severe disorder among ASD that cannot be corrected.

Atypical autism

The disorder is similar to Kanner's syndrome, but at least one of the required diagnostic criteria is missing. Atypical autism is characterized by:

1. quite distinct disturbances in social interaction,
2. restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behavior,
3. one or another sign of abnormal and/or impaired development appears after the age of 3 years.

More often occurs in children with severe specific developmental disorder of receptive speech or with mental retardation.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.Parents usually notice symptoms in the first two years of a child's life.These signs often develop gradually, although some children with autism develop normally at first and then regress. DThe diagnostic criterion is the onset of symptoms in early childhood, usually before the age of three.

Autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some cases are directly associated with infectious diseases suffered during pregnancy, such as rubella, as well as with alcohol or cocaine use. Conducted withpores regarding supposed environmental causes;for example, vaccine hypotheses that were ultimately disproven.Autism affects information processing in the brain by changing the way nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; the nature of this change remains not fully understood. According to the classification given in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), autism is one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD), along with Asperger's syndrome, which does not lead to delays in cognitive development and speech, as well as with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed in cases where the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome is not available.

Early intervention in speech and behavior can help children with autism take care of themselves, as well as gain social and social skills.Although the cure is unknown, there are cases of children recovering. AlthoughMany children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, some of them achieve success. Was createdAutistic culture is represented on the one hand by people who are looking for a cure, and on the other by those who perceive autism only as a difference, and not as a disease.

Worldwide, as of 2015, autism was found in 24.8 million people. This figure for 2010 is approximately 1-2 people per 1000 worldwide. Autism occurs in boysfour to five times more often than in girls. In the USA, approximately1.5% of children (one in 68) are diagnosed with ASD according to 2014 data, an increase of 30% from 2012 (1 in 88). Autism affects 1.1% of adults aged 18 and over in the UK.Since the 1980s, the number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically, partly due to changes in diagnostic practices;the question of whether cases of this disease have actually become more frequent remains open.

Signs and symptoms of autism

Autism is a highly variable neurological disorder that first appears in infancy or childhood and usually progresses steadily without remission.People with autism may have significant limitations in some areas but have normal or even superior abilities in others. WITHSymptoms of degradation gradually begin to appear after six months of age, becoming apparent at the age of two to three years and, as a rule, the process does not stop, although it slows down, during the period of growing up. Autismmanifests itself not as one symptom, but as a characteristic triad: disturbances in social interaction; difficulties in communication, as well asrestricted interests and repetitive behavior.Other aspects such as atypical diet are also common but are not essential for diagnosis. DepartmentClear symptoms of autism occur in all people, but this does not provide grounds for diagnosing the disorder; there is a clear distinction between obvious pathological symptoms and general human characteristics.

Social development in autism

Social problems distinguish autism and related autism spectrum disorders (ASD, see classification) from other developmental disorders. For lPeople with autism have social limitations and often lack the ability to intuitively understand others, which many take for granted. ProfessorTemple Grandin, who has autism, compared her inability to understand social communication in neurotypicals (people with normal neurodevelopment) to feeling like an “anthropologist on Mars.”

Atypical social development appears in early childhood. Newborns with autism are less responsive to social stimuli, less likely to smile and look at others, and less likely to respond to their own name. Toddlers with autism have greater deviations from social norms; for example, they are less likely to make eye contact and respond when spoken to, and are unable to use simple movements to express themselves, such as pointing at things. Children with autism between the ages of three and five are less likely to show social understanding, approach others spontaneously, imitate and respond to emotions, communicate nonverbally, and take turns. However, they develop a sense of attachment to their primary caregivers. Most children with autism show moderately less attachment than neurotypical children, although this difference disappears in children with higher intelligence or less severe forms of ASD. Older children and adults with ASD perform worse on tests of recognizing facial expressions and emotions, although this may be partly due to a lower ability to identify their own emotions.

Children with high-functioning autism are more likely to experience loneliness than their neurotypical peers, despite the general belief that children with autism prefer to be alone.Typically, creating and maintaining friendships is difficult for people with autism.For them, the quality of friendships, rather than the number of friends, influences how lonely they feel.Functional friendships, which include invitations to parties, can have a profound impact on their quality of life.

There are many anecdotal reports, but few systematic studies, of aggression and violent behavior in people with ASD.Limited evidence suggests that in children with intellectual disabilities, autism leads to aggression, destruction of material property, and tantrums.

Impaired social contacts in autism

Several studies have included able-bodied children with autism aged 8 to 15 years, as well as adults, using test items based on basic language tasks including vocabulary and spelling.Both autistic groups performed worse on tasks based on complex language tasks such as figurative language, comprehension, and inference.Because people are often assessed initially based on their basic language skills, these studies suggest that people who speak to autistic people are likely to overestimate what their audience understands.

Stereotypical movements and repetitive behaviors in autism

People with autism exhibit many forms of repetitive or restricted behavior, which are classified by the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) as follows:

• Stereotypical behavior: Repetitive movements such as flapping arms, turning the head, or rocking the body.
• Compulsive behavior: Performing certain repetitive or rule-bound behaviors to reduce anxiety, such as placing objects in a certain order, checking things, or washing hands.
• Need for monotony: resistance to change; for example, not accepting furniture being rearranged or being impatient when a conversation is interrupted.
• Ritualistic behavior: an unchanging pattern of daily activities, such as an unchanging menu or dressing ritual. This trait is closely related to monotony, and independent testing has suggested combining both factors.
• Limited Interests: Interests or obsessions that are abnormal in theme or intensity of focus, such as an obsession with a single television program, toy, or game.
• Self-harm: Activities such as eye damage, skin picking, hand biting, and head banging.

Neither repetitive behavior nor deliberate self-harm is a characteristic feature of autism, but people with autism have an increased predisposition to engage in and worsen forms of these behaviors.

Other symptoms of autism

People with autism may have symptoms that are not related to the diagnosis but that affect the person or family. ApproximatelyBetween 0.5 and 10% of people with ASD have unusual abilities, ranging from partial skills such as remembering trivia to unusually rare talents that border on genius. Compared to others, U mPeople with ASD exhibit extraordinary skills in perception and concentration. UMore than 90% of patients with autism have sensory abnormalities, which some consider to be core features of the disorder, although there is no convincing evidence that sensory symptoms differentiate autism from other developmental disorders. More typical isundersensitivity (eg, patient bumping into things) than oversensitivity (eg, stress from loud noises) and sensation seeking (eg,rhythmic movements). Near60%-80% of people with autism have movement disorders, which include poor muscle tone, difficulty performing motor tasks and walking on their toes;Motor coordination deficits are widespread in patients with ASD and are most severe in autism.

Unusual eating behavior, characteristic of three-quarters of children with ASD, is so common that it was previously considered a diagnostic criterion. VoterEating is the most common problem, although food rituals and food refusal also occur, butit does not lead to malnutrition. AlthoughWhile some children with autism also exhibit symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, there is not enough definitive data to support the theory that children with autism experience digestive problems more frequently than usual;Research has produced conflicting results, so the relationship between gastrointestinal problems and ASD remains unclear.

Parents of children with ASD are more susceptible to stress.Brothers and sisters of children with ASD treat them with more care and conflicts between them occur less frequently than in healthy children. In the same way, relationships develop between children in families in which one of the children suffers from Down syndrome.However, siblings of children with ASD are less close and open with them than siblings of children with Down syndrome;Siblings of people with ASD are at greater risk of poor health and have less strong relationships in adulthood.

Causes of autism

It has long been believed that the causes of the triad of symptoms characteristic of autism are genetic, cognitive and neurological in nature.However, there is growing suspicion that autism is a complex disorder, with its core symptoms having multiple causes that often occur simultaneously.

Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is more attributable to rare mutations with serious consequences or rare interactions of many common genetic variants.The complexity arises from the interactions between multiple genes, the environment, and epigenetic factors that do not change the DNA sequence but are heritable and influence gene expression. Connection of many geneswith autism were identified by sequencing the genomes of people with autism and their parents.

Genetic studies of twins, one of whom has autism, show a heritability of 0.7% for the disorder and 0.9% for ASD; siblings of children with the disorder are about 25 times more likely to have autism than others. .However, most gene mutations that increase the risk of autism have not been discovered.Generally, autism cannot be attributed to Mendelian (single-gene) mutations or chromosomal abnormalities, and none of the genetic syndromes associated with ASD have been identified as a separate cause of its occurrence.Many potential genes have been identified, but the magnitude of the effect due to any particular gene appears to be minimal.Most loci individually explain less than 1% of autism cases.A large number of people with autism in families in which the rest of the family members are not affected may be the result of spontaneous structural changes - such as deletions, duplicationsor inversions in genetic material during meiosis.Therefore, a significant proportion of autism cases may be due to genetic causes that are inherited but not inherited: that is, the mutation that causes autism is not present in the parental genome.

Some evidence points to synaptic dysfunction as a cause of autism.Some rare mutations can lead to autism by disrupting synaptic pathways, such as those involved in cell aggregation.Gene replacement studies in mice show that autism symptoms are closely associated with later stages of development, which depend on the activity of synapses and the changes that this activity causes.All known teratogens (agents that cause birth defects) associated with autism risk affect development within the first eight weeks after conception, and although this does not exclude the possibility that autism may develop later, there is strong evidence that it occurs at an early stage of fetal development.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, especially heavy metals and particulate matter, may increase the risk of developing autism. K fEnvironmental actors that, although without scientific evidence, have been identified as contributing to or exacerbating autism include certain foods, infectious diseases, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic products, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, drugs, vaccines, and prenatal stress. Attribution of these factors to the causes of autism is not supported by convincing evidence, and some of them, such as the MMR vaccine, were removed from the list altogether.

Symptoms of autism may first appear during a routine vaccination.This led to the emergence of unsubstantiated theories, the proponents of which considered “excess” vaccines, vaccine preservatives, and exposure to the MMR vaccine as possible causes of the development of autism. PThe latter theory was supported by trial-funded research and was subsequently found to be the result of an "elaborate falsification."Although these theories have no convincing scientific basis and are biologically implausible, the spread of information about the possible connection of the vaccine with autism has led to many parents refusing vaccination, which in turn has resulted in a number of outbreaks of previously controlled childhood diseases in some countries and led to death of several children.

The mechanism of autism

Autism symptoms result from disturbances in various maturational brain systems. The mechanism of autism remains not fully understood.It can be divided into two components: pathophysiological changes in brain structures and the emergence of processes associated with autism, and neuropsychological connections between brain structures and behavior patterns thathave multiple pathophysiologies.

Autism Research

Unlike many other brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, autism does not have a clear single mechanism operating at the molecular, cellular or systemic level;It is unknown whether autism is a consequence of several disorders caused by the influence of mutations that occur simultaneously in several molecular channels, or (like mental retardation) the result of a large number of disorders with different mechanisms. The emergence of aautism is caused by developmental factors that influence many or all functional brain systems and have a greater influence on the timing of brain development than on the final outcome. ANDResearch in neuroanatomy and links to teratogens clearly indicate that the mechanism of autism involves the occurrence of changes in brain development shortly after conception.This disorder triggers a number of pathological processes in the brain, which are also largely determined by environmental factors.Immediately after birth, the brains of children with autism develop faster than usual; in childhood, the rate of development slows down or is normal.It is not known whether all children with autism experience accelerated brain development at an early age. This feature isIt is most noticeable in the areas of the brain responsible for the development of higher cognitive specialization. TOPilot and molecular hypotheses for early brain growth in children with autism include the following:

• an excess of neurons causing excessive communication in major areas of the brain;
• disruption of neuronal movement in early pregnancy;
• imbalance in the functioning of excitatory and inhibitory synapses;
• abnormal proliferation of synapses and dendritic spines, for example, as a result of failures in the process of aggregation of neurexin and neuroligin cells or poor regulation of the synthesis of synaptic proteins. Impaired synaptic development may also contribute to the onset of epilepsy, which explains the correlation between these two disorders.

The immune system is believed to play an important role in the development of autism.Research has shown that children with autism are susceptible to diseases of both the peripheral and central immune systems, as evidenced by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and significant microglial activation.Biomarkers of abnormal immune system function are also associated with impaired behavior patterns that are characteristic features of autism, such as deficits in social interaction and communication.The interaction between the immune and nervous systems begins early in embryonic development, and successful development of the nervous system depends on an adequate immune response.It is believed that the activation of a pregnant woman's immune systemtoxins or infection from the environment may contribute to the development of autism as a result of impaired brain development.This is supported by recent research that found that infection during pregnancy increases the risk of developing autism.

The relationship between neurochemicals and autism remains unclear; Althoughsome of them have been studied, namely, there is information about the role of serotonin and genetic differences in its transport.The role of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome (Martin-Bell syndrome), the most common genetic cause of autism, has provoked increased interest in the possible implications of autism research in this area.Some findings suggest that neuronal proliferation may be associated with an increase in growth hormones or dysregulation in growth factor receptors.In addition, the development of autism may also be associated with inborn errors of the metabolic process, but the number of such cases is less than 5%.

According to the mirror neuron theory (MNS) of autism development, the emergence of core autistic features (socialization and communication problems) is due to the fact that distortions in the development of the mirror neuron system interfere with the process of imitation. The mirror neuron mechanism turns onwhen an animal performs an action or watches another animal perform the same action. Thispromotes a person's understanding of other people by modeling their behavior by simulating their actions, intentions and emotions.This hypothesis has been tested in several studies, which have identified structural abnormalities in mirror neuron regions of patients with ASD, slower activation of the imitation mechanism in people with Asperger's syndrome, and a relationship between reduced mirror neuron activity and severity of the syndrome in children. with ASD. At the same timeHowever, people with autism also have impairments in the activation of other brain mechanisms besides the mirror neuron system, and this theory does not explain why children with autism perform successfully on imitation tasks that have a specific goal and object.

ASD-related examples of decreased function and impaired activation of brain mechanisms vary depending on whether the brain performs social or non-social tasks.In the process of studying autism, evidence was obtained of a decrease in the functional connectivity of the passive mode network (DMN), a large region of the brain that is involved in social and emotional processing, and, conversely, the absence of changes in the activity of the operational problem solving network (eng. . TPN), which is activated under conditions of constant attention and goal-directed thinking.In people with autism, these two networks lack feedback, causing impairments in switching between them, possibly reflecting an impairment in self-referential thinking.

The theory of autism, based on the idea of ​​insufficient interaction of brain regions, is based on the fact that autism is characterized by a lack of high-level neural connections and synchronization between them, along with an excess of low-level processes. ConfirmationsThis theory was found in functional neuroimaging studies of individuals with autism and in studies of brain wave activity that showed that adults with ASD have localized redundant connectivity in the cortex and weak functional connections between the frontal lobe and the rest of the cerebral cortex.Other evidence suggests that connectivity deficits occur primarily in each cortical hemisphere and that autism is a disorder in the association cortex.

Studies based on evoked potentials and short-term changes in brain electrical activity in response to stimuli provide compelling evidence of differences among people with autism in attention, auditory and visual cueing, novelty detection, language and face recognition, and information storage. ;several studies have shown a preference for nonsocial stimuli.For example, studies of magnetoencephalographic materials have revealed a delay in the brain's response when processing auditory signals in children with autism.

In the field of genetics, a link has been discovered between autism and schizophrenia based on chromosome duplication and deletion;Studies have shown that schizophrenia and autism are significantly more common in combination with 1q21.1 deletion syndrome. Results andStudies of the connection between autism/schizophrenia and changes in chromosomes 15 (15q13.3), 16 (16p13.1) and 17 (17p12) were inconclusive.

Functional connectivity studies have identified both hypo- and hyper-connectivity of brain regions in people with autism. Predominance hashypoconnectivity, especially in the case of interhemispheric and cortico-cortical functional connectivity.

Basic theories of the emergence and development of autism

Two main categories of cognitive theories have been proposed regarding the relationship between the brains of people with autism and their behavior.

The essence of the first approach is based on a deficit of social perception. According to tAccording to Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, people with autism are able to systematize, that is, they can develop internal rules by which the brain processes events, but they are less successful at understanding the reasons for the actions and feelings of other people. A continuation of this idea is the theoryThe Extremely Male Brain, which suggests that autism is an extreme case of the male brain, which is psychometrically thought to be more systematizing than understanding other people's feelings.These theories are somewhat related to Baron-Cohen's previous "theory of mind" approach, which suggests that autistic behavior arises from an inability to try on different mental states in oneself and others. "Theory of Mind" is supported by the atypical responses of children with autism to the Sally-Ann test, which reveals the ability to justify the motives of other people's actions, as well as the theory of mirror neurons, described in the Pathophysiology section. However,Most studies have failed to demonstrate the inability of people with autism to understand other people's basic intentions or goals;instead, the evidence suggests that difficulties are found in understanding more complex social emotions or considering other perspectives.

The second approach is based on studying the processing of non-social or general information: executive functions such as working memory, planning, inhibition.In his review, Kenworthy states that "the claim that executive dysfunction is a causative factor in autism is controversial," however, "it is clear that executive dysfunction contributes to the social and cognitive deficits that characterize people with autism."Tests of the level of activity of the main executive processes in people with autism, such as tasks for the state of motor function of the eyes, reveal a positive level of development from late childhood to adolescence, but nevertheless the level of development of this function is not achieved as in a typical representative of the adult population with autism. .The strength of the theory is that it explains stereotypical behavior and narrow interests; but at the same time, the theory hastwo disadvantages are that executive function is difficult to measure and that executive function deficits are not detected in children with autism at an early age.

Weak central coherence theory is the idea that a key deficit in autism is a limited ability to see the big picture.One advantage of this theory is that it explains the special talents and exceptional abilities of people with autism. In tThe theory of enhanced perception, compared with the previous one, pays more attention to the superiority of narrow-focused and perceptual operations in individuals with autism.These versions are based on the theory of insufficient interconnection of brain regions in autism.

Neither approach is complete on its own;theories of social cognition do not explain the reasons for persistent and repetitive behavior, while non-social theories do not provide justification for violations in the process of socialization and problems in communication. Combinedthe theory based on multiple violations appears to be more acceptable.

Methods for diagnosing autism

Diagnosis of autism is based on behavior rather than the cause or mechanism of the disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5),autism is characterized by persistent impairments in social communication and interaction in various relationships, as well as the presence of repetitive behavior patterns, limited interests or activities.These disorders appear in early childhood, usually before age three, and result in clinically significant functional impairment. Typicalsymptoms include a lack of social or emotional interaction, stereotypical and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language, and persistent preoccupation with unusual objects. Also, during the diagnostic process it is necessary to excludeRett syndrome, mental retardation or general developmental delay. The same definition is used according to the international classification of diseases (ICD-10, English ICD-10).

Diagnosis of autism includes several methods, including:Two of which are commonly used in autism research include the Autism Diagnostic Inventory-Revised (ADI-R), which is a semi-structured interview schedule with parents, and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), which is based on observing and interacting with the child. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)widely used in clinical settings to determine the severity of autism based on observation of children. Also applies "Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO).

A preliminary examination is usually performed by a pediatrician based on the child's developmental history and physical examination. If necessary, diagnosis and assessment of the child’s condition are carried out with the involvement of specialists in ASD, who observe the child and assess cognitive, communication, family and other factors using standard methods and also taking into account any other similar disorders. A pediatrician is often called in to evaluate a child's behavior and cognitive skills.a neuropsychologist, both to assist in making a diagnosis and to conduct educational activities.Differential diagnosis of ASD at this stage also includes mental retardation, hearing impairment and specific speech disorders, such as Landau-Kleffner syndrome.Having a diagnosis of autism can make it difficult to diagnose co-occurring mental disorders such as depression.

Once a diagnosis of ASD is made, genetic testing is often performed, especially when other symptoms already point to a genetic cause.Although genetic technology makes it possible to classify approximately 40% of cases as genetic disorders, protocol in the US and UK is limited to high-resolution chromosome analyzes and tests for fragile X syndrome.The first genotype diagnostic model has been proposed that will routinely assess genome copy number variations.As new genetic technologies develop, a number of ethical, legal and social issues will arise.Commercial availability of tests may precede adequate understanding of how to use test results, given the complexity of autism genetics.Metabolic and neuroimaging tests are sometimes also useful, but they are not routine.

Sometimes ASD can be diagnosed at 14 months of age, although the diagnosis is confirmed during the first three years of life: for example, a one-year-old child who exhibits symptoms of ASD is less likely to be diagnosed several years later than a child of three years.In the UK, the State Committee for the Protection of Children with Autism insists that no more than 30 weeks from the moment the first symptoms are detected are given for final confirmation of the diagnosis and assessment of the child’s condition.Although symptoms of autism and ASD appear early in childhood, they are sometimes not given the attention they deserve; many yearslater, adults may seek diagnostics to help themselves or their friends and family understand them, provide employers with a reason to change their responsibilities, and apply for disability or other benefits.

Under- and over-diagnosis are issues that arise in socially disadvantaged populations, and much of the increase in reported ASD cases is likely due to changes in diagnostic methods.The increasing popularity of medication-assisted treatment and the expansion of benefit systems have contributed to an increase in the diagnosis of ASD, resulting in cases of children being diagnosed with vague symptoms.Conversely, costs of screening and diagnosis, as well as problems in obtaining funds, may hinder or delay diagnosis.Autism is particularly difficult to diagnose among the visually impaired, partly because some of its diagnostic methods rely on vision, and partly because the symptoms of autism overlap with those of common blindness or blindness syndromes.

Forms and types of autism

Autism is one of five pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), which are characterized by significant impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.These symptoms do not imply illness, weakness, or emotional disturbances.

Of the five forms of PDD, Asperger's syndrome is most similar to autism in features and probable causes; syndromeRTD and childhood disintegrative disorder share several features with autism but may have different causes; pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified(PDD-NOS, also called atypical autism), is diagnosed when the criteria are not suitable for diagnosing a more specific disorder.Unlike autism, people with Asperger's syndrome do not have significant language delays.Autism terminology can be a little confusing because autism, Asperger's syndrome, and PDD-NOS are often referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or autistic disorders, while autism itself is also often referred to as autistic disorder, childhood autism, or infantile autism.In this article, autism is referred to as classic autistic disorder; however,in clinical practice, terms autism, ASDand PRR are often used interchangeably. ASD, in turn, is a subset of the broader autism phenotype, which describes people who may not have ASD but exhibit traits characteristic of people with autism, such as avoiding eye contact.

Autism can manifest itself in vastly different degrees, ranging from severely disabled people who may be silent, developmentally disabled and whose movements are limited to flapping and rocking, to high-functioning people who may have active but apparently odd social behavior and a narrow range of interests. , and be verbose, but pedantic in communication.Because the range of behaviors is so diverse, the boundaries between diagnostic categories are somewhat arbitrary.The syndrome is sometimes classified as low-, moderate-, or high-functioning autism (LFA, SFA, and HFA) based on IQ test scores or how much assistance the person requires in daily living;these divisions are not standard and have many contradictions.Autism can also be divided into syndromic and non-syndromic;Syndromic autism is associated with severe or profound mental retardation or a congenital syndrome with physical symptoms such as tuberous sclerosis.Although individuals with Asperger's syndrome have higher levels of cognitive development than people with autism, clear distinctions cannot be made between Asperger's syndrome, HFA, and non-syndromic autism.

Some studies have reported cases of children being diagnosed with autism due to loss of language or social skills, rather than typical active development, between 15 and 30 months of age.The validity of this criterion remains controversial;It is possible that regressive autism is a specific subtype or that there is a gradual transition from autism with and without regression.

Research into causes has been hampered by the inability to identify biologically significant subgroups among people with autism, also due to divisions between the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, neurology, and pediatrics. More nNew technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion spectral imaging can help identify biologically relevant phenotypes (visible signatures) that can be seen during brain scans to aid further neurogenetic research into autism;One example is decreased activity in the spindle cell region of the brain, which is associated with impaired perception of people versus objects.It has been proposed that the classification of autism be based on both genetic and behavioral characteristics.

How to determine autism in a child?

About half of parents of children with ASD notice unusual behavior in their child before the age of 18 months, and about 4/5 before 24 months.According to the article, non-compliance with the norm for any of the following indicators “is an absolute reason to continue further diagnostics. Any delay may delay early diagnosis of the disorder and timely treatment, thereby affecting long-term outcome.”

• absence of babbling up to 12 months of age;
• lack of gestures (the child does not point to objects, does not wave his arms, etc.) up to 12 months;
• the child does not speak any words until 16 months;
• absence of phrases consisting of two words (spontaneous, not just echolalic) up to 24 months;
• loss of speech or social skills at any age.

In 2016, the US Preventive Prevention Task Force (USPSTF) questioned whether screening is beneficial or harmful for children who do not have disabilities. In Japan, all children are screened for ASD at 18 and 24 months of age, using standardized autism screening tests. In the UK, by contrast, only those children whose families or doctors detect possible signs of autism are examined. It is not known which approach is more effective. Screening tools include the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire, and the First Year Checklist. "(First Year Inventory). Preliminary data from the use of the Modified Toddler Autism Sign Checklist and the Toddler Autism Sign Checklist for children aged 18 to 30 months indicate that more accurate results can be obtained in clinical settings and that it has low sensitivity (many false negatives). ), but good specificity (minimal number of false positives). It may be more effective to pre-use a broadband scanner that does not differentiate ASD from other developmental disorders. Screening tools designed for the norms of one culture to analyze patterns of behavior such as eye contact, may not be appropriate in another culture.Although genetic screening for autism is generally of low value, it may be used in some cases, for example, to evaluate children with neurological symptoms and dysmorphic features.

Prevention of autism

Rubella during pregnancy causes less than 1% of autism cases;rubella vaccination can prevent many of these cases.

Treatment of autism

The main goals of treatment for children with autism are to reduce autism-related impairment and stress among family members and to improve quality of life and functional independence.In general, patients with higher IQ scores respond better to treatment and have good results.No single treatment method is the most effective, and treatment is usually tailored to the child's needs.The main components of treatment are the family and the education system.Intervention studies have methodological problems that prevent definitive conclusions about effectiveness, but the development of evidence-based interventions in recent years has been positive. Although the use of somepsychosocial treatments have yielded positive results, suggesting that some treatment is better than no treatment, withFrom a methodological point of view, these studies were of low yield, their clinical results were largely preliminary, and there was little evidence of the relative effectiveness of any of the treatment options.Intensive, ongoing special education programs and early behavioral therapy can help children learn self-care, social and work skills, and often improve their level of functioning and reduce the severity of symptoms and the incidence of maladaptive behavior; nevertheless,Claims that intervention before age three is critical are unsubstantiated.Available approaches include applied behavior analysis (ABA), developmental models, structured education, speech and language therapy, social skills therapy, and occupational therapy. Each ofapproaches are aimed either at treating autistic features in general or at disorders in a specific area. ExistEvidence suggests that Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), an early intervention model based on applied behavior analysis for 20 to 40 hours per week over several years, is an effective treatment for some children with ASD. TThe theoretical basis for the development of treatment methods is provided by two types of early childhood intervention: applied behavior analysis (ABA) and developmental socio-pragmatic models (DSP).One treatment strategy uses a parent training model to teach parents how to use various PAP and SPMR techniques, thereby allowing parents to participate in therapy.Various SPMT programs have been developed to provide intervention with the help of parents in the home environment.Despite the relatively recent emergence of parent training models, these interventions have proven to be quite effective and have been assessed as perhaps the most effective treatment for autism.

Correctional classes for autistic children

Educational programs may have varying degrees of effectiveness for most children: intensive PAP treatment has been shown to be more effective in improving global functioning in preschool-age children and is also quite effective in improving intellectual performance in young children. Also, teacher-administered treatment using PAP in combination with SPMR has shown good results in improving sociocommunication skills in young children, although it has been less effective in treating global symptoms.Neuropsychological guidelines often provide unclear guidance for educators, resulting in a gap between what is intended and how the program is implemented in practice.It is not known whether the use of treatment programs for children leads to any improvements after they grow up, andResearch on the effectiveness of adult programs shows mixed results. FeasibilityThe inclusion of children with varying degrees of severity of autism spectrum disorders in general education programs is the subject of ongoing debate among educators and researchers.

Drug treatment for autism

Many medications are used to treat ASD symptoms that interfere with a child's ability to integrate at home or at school when behavior therapy has not been effective.More than half of US children diagnosed with ASD are prescribed psychoactive drugs or anticonvulsants, with the most common classes of medications being antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics.Antipsychotics such as risperidone and aripiprazole have been found to be effective in treating irritability, repetitive behavior and insomnia that often occur in autism, but their side effects must be weighed against their potential benefits, and people with autism may experience atypical responses to these drugs. There is little reliable research on the effectiveness or safety of drug treatments for autism in adolescents and adults with ASD. None of the drugs can alleviate the core symptoms of autism associated with socialization and communication disorders. Experiments in laboratory mice have shown that it is possible to reverse or reduce some symptoms associated with autism by replacing or modulating gene functions, which involves the use of targeted therapies aimed at specific gene mutations that cause autism.

Alternative Treatments for Autism

Although there are many alternative treatments and interventions, few are backed by scientific research.Treatment approaches are not based on evidence of improvements in quality of life, and many programs focus on gains that lack predictive validity and real-world significance.Scientific evidence appears to be less important to service providers than programmatic marketing, training availability, and parent requests.Some alternative treatments may put the baby at risk.A 2008 study found that without casein supplementation, boys with autism had significantly thinner bones than their peers;in 2005, chelation therapy gone wrong killed a five-year-old child with autism. RPreviously, studies have also been conducted on the effectiveness of hyperbaric methods of treating children with autism.

Although following a gluten-free diet is widely used as an alternative treatment for people with autism, there is no convincing evidence of its effectiveness. There is little evidence that a gluten-free diet has any effect on eliminating or alleviating symptoms of autistic behavior amongpeople with gluten intolerance.

Treatment costs for autism

Treatment for autism requires large financial investments, as doesindirect costs. As a result andIn US studies, for those born in 2000, life expectancy costs were estimated at $4.11 million (net present value in 2016, adjusted for 2003 inflation). About 10% for medical care, 30% for additional education and care, and 60% as compensation for loss of ability to work.Publicly supported programs are often inadequate or inappropriate for the child, and unreimbursed medical expenses that parents are forced to pay out of pocket lead to financial problems;A 2008 US study found that on average an additional 14% of annual income was spent in families of children with ASD, and another similar study found that ASD was associated with a greater likelihood that child care problems would significantly impact the parents' careers . INThe US increasingly requires private health insurance to cover autism-related costs.reallocating costs from government-funded education programs to privately funded health insurance.After growing up, the main issues include residential care, education and employment, sexuality, social skills and property issues.

Society and culture

The emergence of the autism rights movement was an attempt to encourage people to be more tolerant of those with autism.Through this movement, people hope to get others to think of autism as a difference rather than a disease.Proponents of this movement ask others for "acceptance, not cure." INThere have been many events around the world to promote autism awareness, such as World Autism Awareness Day, the Light It Up Blue campaign, Autistic Sunday, Autistic Pride Day, Outtreat and others.There have also been many organizations dedicated to raising awareness about autism and the effects that autism has on someone's life.These organizations include Autism Speaks, the National Committee on Autism, the Autism Society of America, and many others.Social scientists have focused on studying individuals with autism in hopes of learning more about “autism as a culture, transcultural comparisons... and social movement research.”The media has influenced how the public perceives people with autism. Feature film "Rain Man", which won 4 Oscars including Best Picture, portrays a character with autism who has incredible talents and abilities.Although many people with autism do not have these special abilities, there are some people who are successful in their fields.

Course and prognosis of autism in children and adolescents

There is currently no known treatment.Sometimes children recover and lose their ASD diagnosis; Sometimesthis occurs after intensive treatment, and sometimes without treatment at all.It is unknown how often recovery occurs; indicators fluctuate from 3% to 25%. Most children with autism acquire language skills by age five or younger, although some do so at a later age.Most children with autism lack social support, meaningful relationships, future job opportunities, or self-awareness.Although the underlying difficulties tend to persist, symptoms often become less severe with age.

Few high-quality studies examine long-term prognosis.Some adults show modest improvements in communication skills, but some show declines;No studies have examined autism in middle-aged people.Acquiring language skills before the age of six, having an IQ above 50, and possessing any vocational skills increases the chances of people with autism; in cases of severe forms of the disorderindependent life is unlikely.Most people with autism face significant barriers to transition into adulthood.

Autism statistics in the world

Recent estimates put the prevalence at 1-2 per 1000 for autism, about 6 per 1000 for ASD, and 11 per 1000 children in the US for ASD as of 2008;due to inadequate data, these rates may be higher.Globally, autism affects 24.8 million people as of 2015, and Asperger's syndrome affects a further 37.2 million.In 2012, according to the National Health Service, the overall prevalence of autism among adults aged 18 years and over in the UK was 1.1%.The incidence of PDD-NOS was estimated at 3.7 per 1000, Asperger's syndrome was approximately 0.6 per 1000, and the incidence of childhood disintegrative disorder was 0.02 per 1000. According to the mostThe latest CDC estimate is that 1 in every 68 children, or 14.7 per 1,000, has ASD as of 2010.

The number of reported cases of autism increased dramatically in the 1990s and early 2000s.This increase is largely explained by changes in diagnostic capabilities, the availability of services that parents can access, the availability of services, the age of diagnosis and public awareness, although uncertain environmental factors cannot be ruled out.Available data do not rule out the possibility that the incidence of autism may be increasing;a real increase in incidence suggests that more attention and funding should be directed towards changing environmental factors rather than increasing the focus on genetics.

The risk of ASD is higher among boys than among girls.The sex ratio averages 4.3:1 and varies greatly depending on cognitive impairment: it can approach 2:1 with mental retardation and more than 5.5:1 without it.Several theories regarding a higher prevalence in men have been explored, but no reason for the difference has been found; there is also an assumptionabout underdiagnosis among women.

Although the evidence does not identify a single risk factor for pregnancy-related autism, the disorder has been linked to advanced parental age, diabetes, bleeding disorders, and use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy.The risk increases with age for fathers more than for mothers;two potential explanations are the known increased risk of sperm mutations and the hypothesis that men marry later if they have a genetic predisposition and exhibit some traits of autism.Most experts believe that race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status do not play a role in autism.

Several other conditions occur in children with autism. These include:

1. Genetic disorders. About 10-15% of autism cases are identified as a Mendelian (single gene) condition, chromosomal abnormalities, or other genetic syndromes, and ASD is associated with several genetic disorders.
2. Intellectual disability. The percentage of individuals with autism who also meet criteria for intellectual disability ranges from 25% to 70%, making it difficult to assess mental development in people with autism. In comparison, for PDD-NOS the association with intellectual disability is much weaker, and by definition, an Asperger's diagnosis excludes intellectual disability.
3. Anxiety disorders are common in children with ASD; There are no exact data, but studies have shown that this prevalence varies from 11% to 84%. Many anxiety disorders have symptoms that are better explained by ASD itself, or are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of ASD.
4. Epilepsy, with variations in epilepsy risk due to age, cognitive level, and type of language disorder.
5. Some metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria, have been linked to symptoms of autism.
6. Minor physical abnormalities are greatly increased in cases of autism.
7. Diagnoses usually excluded. Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) excludes the co-diagnosis of many other conditions along with autism, full criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's syndrome and other conditions are often present, these co-occurring diagnoses are all are more often accepted.
8. Sleep problems affect approximately two-thirds of people with ASD at some point during childhood. Symptoms resemble insomnia and include difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and early morning awakenings. Sleep problems are associated with challenging behavior patterns and family stress and often become the focus of clinical attention before the initial diagnosis of ASD.

History of autism

Several examples of autistic symptoms and their treatment were described long before the name autism was coined.Martin Luther's Table Talk, compiled by Mathesius, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who may have suffered from severe autism.Luther believed that the boy was a soulless body possessed by the devil and suggested that he be strangled, although a later critic questioned the authenticity of this account.The earliest reliably documented case of autism is that of Hugh Blair of Borge, detailed in a 1747 court case in which his brother successfully petitioned for an annulment of Blair's marriage in order to obtain his inheritance.The Wild Boy of Aveyron - a wild child captured in 1798 who showed some signs of autism; medical student Jean Itard treated him with behavioral programs designed to help him form social relationships and develop language skills through imitation.

The neo-Latin word "autismus" was coined by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in 1910, while identifying the symptoms of schizophrenia. He took as a basisthe Greek word autós (αὐτός, meaning "I"), and used it to denote morbid narcissism, referring to the patient's "autistic withdrawal into his fantasies, against which any outside influence becomes an intolerable disturbance."

The word "autism" first acquired its modern meaning in 1938, when Hans Asperger of the Vienna University Hospital introduced the terminology of autistic psychologists Bleuler in a lecture on child psychology in German.Asperger studied ASD, which is now known as Asperger's syndrome, although for various reasons it was not recognized as a separate diagnosis until 1981. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital first used the word autism in its modern meaning in English when he introduced the name early infantile autism in a 1943 report of 11 children with striking behavioral similarities.Almost all of the characteristics described in Kanner's first article on the subject, particularly “autistic loneliness” and “resistance to change,” are still considered typical of autism spectrum disorders. It remains unknown whether Kanner invented this term independently of Asperger.

Donald Triplett was the first person to be diagnosed with autism. Hisdiagnosed by Leo Kanner after the first examination in 1938 and was labeled "case 1".Triplett was notable for his mental abilities, particularly his ability to name musical notes played on the piano and to mentally multiply numbers.His father, Oliver, described him as socially withdrawn but interested in numbers, sheet music, letters of the alphabet and photographs of the President of the United States.At the age of 2, he could read Psalm 23 and memorize the 25 questions and answers from the Presbyterian Catechism.He was also interested in creating musical chords.

Kanner's use of the term "autism" in its proper sense led to decades of confusing terminology such as infantile schizophrenia, and psychiatry's preoccupation with maternal deprivation led to the misapprehension of autism as a child's reaction to a "refrigerator mother."Beginning in the late 1960s, autism was recognized as a distinct syndrome.Already in the mid-1970s, there was evidence of the genetic nature of autism;while in 2007 it was considered one of the most heritable psychiatric disorders.Although the rise of parent organizations and the destigmatization of childhood ASD have influenced attitudes toward ASD, parents still experience social stigma in situations where their autistic behavior is perceived negatively, and many primary care physicians and medical professionals express outdated beliefs associated with autism.

It was not until 1980 that autism was differentiated from childhood schizophrenia in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).In 1987, the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) provided a checklist for diagnosing autism.In May 2013, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was released, introducing an updated classification for pervasive developmental disorders. Classificationdisorders, including PDD-NOS, autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), was removed and replaced by the umbrella term autism spectrum disorder (ASD).There are two categories that disrupt social connection and/or interaction and also include restricted and/or repetitive behavior.

Through the Internet, people with autism are able to bypass the nonverbal cues and emotional exchanges that make them so difficult, and they now have the ability to form online communities and work remotely. Developed withsociological and cultural aspects of autism: some are looking for a cure, while others believe that autism is just another way of being.

March 12, 2018

General information

Autism is a diagnosis that many parents perceive as a kind of death sentence. Research into what autism is and what kind of disease it is has been going on for a very long time, and yet childhood autism remains the most mysterious mental illness. Autism syndrome manifests itself most clearly in childhood, which leads to the isolation of the child from family and society.

Autism - what is it?

Autism in Wikipedia and other encyclopedias is defined as a general developmental disorder in which there is a maximum deficit in emotions and communication. Actually, the name of the disease determines its essence and how the disease manifests itself: the meaning of the word “autism” is within oneself. A person suffering from this disease never directs his gestures and speech to the outside world. There is no social meaning in his actions.

At what age does this disease appear? This diagnosis is most often made in children aged 3-5 years and is called RDA , Kanner's syndrome . In adolescence and adulthood, the disease manifests itself and, accordingly, is rarely detected.

Autism is expressed differently in adults. Symptoms and treatment of this disease in adulthood depend on the form of the disease. There are external and internal signs of autism in adults. Characteristic symptoms are expressed in facial expressions, gestures, emotions, volume of speech, etc. It is believed that types of autism are both genetic and acquired.

Causes of autism

The causes of this disease are associated with other diseases, psychiatrists say.

As a rule, autistic children are in good physical health and have no external defects. The brain of sick babies has a normal structure. When talking about how to recognize autistic children, many note that such babies are very attractive in appearance.

Mothers of such children proceeds normally. However, the development of autism is still in some cases associated with the manifestation of other diseases:

• cerebral palsy ;
• infection mothers during pregnancy;
• tuberous sclerosis ;
• disturbed fat metabolism (the risk of having a baby with autism is greater in women suffering from).

All of these conditions can have a negative impact on the brain and, as a result, provoke symptoms of autism. There is evidence that genetic disposition plays a role: signs of autism are more likely to appear in people who already have autism in their family. However, what autism is and what the causes of its manifestation are are still not completely clear.

An autistic child's perception of the world

Autism in children manifests itself with certain signs. It is generally accepted that this syndrome leads to the fact that the baby cannot combine all the details into a single image.

The disease manifests itself in the fact that the child perceives a person as a “set” of unrelated body parts. The patient hardly distinguishes inanimate objects from animate ones. All external influences - touch, light, sound - provoke an uncomfortable state. The child tries to withdraw inside himself from the world that surrounds him.

Symptoms of Autism

Autism in children manifests itself with certain signs. Early childhood autism is a condition that can manifest itself in children at a very early age - both at 1 year and at 2 years old. What is autism in a child, and whether this disease exists, is determined by a specialist. But you can independently figure out what kind of illness a child has and suspect him based on information about the signs of such a condition.

This syndrome is characterized by 4 main symptoms. In children with this disease, they can be determined to varying degrees.

Signs of autism in children are:

• impaired social interaction;
• impaired communication;
• stereotypical behavior;
• early symptoms of childhood autism in children under 3 years of age.

Disturbed social interaction

The first signs of autistic children may appear as early as 2 years of age. Symptoms can range from mild when eye-to-eye contact is impaired to more severe when it is completely absent.

The child cannot perceive as a whole the image of the person who is trying to communicate with him. Even in photos and videos, you can recognize that such a baby’s facial expressions do not correspond to the current situation. He does not smile when someone tries to cheer him up, but he can laugh when the reason for this is not clear to anyone close to him. The face of such a baby is mask-like; grimaces appear on it from time to time.

The baby uses gestures only to indicate needs. As a rule, even children under one year of age sharply show interest if they see an interesting object - the baby laughs, points, and demonstrates joyful behavior. The first signs in children under 1 year of age can be suspected if the child does not behave this way. Symptoms of autism in children under one year of age are manifested by the fact that they use a certain gesture, wanting to get something, but do not strive to capture the attention of their parents by including them in their play.

An autistic person cannot understand other people's emotions. How this symptom manifests itself in a child can be tracked already at an early age. While normal children's brains are designed in such a way that they can easily determine when looking at other people whether they are upset, happy or scared, an autistic child is not capable of this.

The child is not interested in peers. Already at the age of 2, ordinary children strive for company - to play, to meet peers. Signs of autism in 2-year-old children are expressed by the fact that such a child does not participate in games, but is immersed in his own world. Those who want to know how to recognize a child 2 years old and older should simply take a closer look at the company of children: an autistic person is always alone and does not pay attention to others or perceives them as inanimate objects.

The child finds it difficult to play using imagination and social roles. Children 3 years old and even younger play, imagining and inventing role-playing games. For autistic people, symptoms at 3 years old may include not understanding what the social role is in play and not perceiving toys as whole objects. For example, signs of autism in a 3-year-old child may be expressed by the child spinning a car wheel for hours or repeating other actions.

The child does not respond to emotions and communication from the parents. Previously, it was generally accepted that such children did not become emotionally attached to their parents at all. But now scientists have proven that when the mother leaves, such a child at 4 years old and even earlier shows anxiety. If family members are nearby, he seems less obsessive. However, in autism, signs in 4-year-old children are expressed by a lack of reaction to the fact that parents are absent. The autistic person exhibits anxiety, but he does not try to get his parents back.

Broken communication

In children under 5 years of age and later, speech delay or her complete absence (mutism ). With this disease, the signs in children 5 years old in speech development are already clearly expressed. The further development of speech is determined by the types of autism in children: if a severe form of the disease is observed, the child may not master speech at all. To indicate his needs, he uses only some words in one form: sleep, eat, etc. The speech that appears is, as a rule, incoherent, not aimed at understanding other people. Such a child can say the same phrase for several hours, which has no meaning. Autistic people talk about themselves in the third person. How to treat such manifestations, and whether their correction is possible, depends on the degree of the disease.

Abnormal speech . When answering a question, such children repeat either the entire phrase or part of it. They may speak too quietly or loudly, or intonate incorrectly. Such a baby does not react if he is called by name.

No “age issues” . Autistic people do not ask their parents many questions about the world around them. If questions do arise, they are monotonous and have no practical significance.

Stereotypical behavior

Gets fixated on one activity. Among the signs of how to identify autism in a child, one should note obsession. A child can spend many hours sorting cubes by color and making a tower. Moreover, it is difficult to return him from this state.

Performs rituals every day. Wikipedia shows that such children feel comfortable only if the environment remains familiar to them. Any changes - a rearrangement in the room, a change in the route for a walk, a different menu - can provoke aggression or pronounced withdrawal.

Repeating meaningless movements many times (manifestation of stereotypy) . Autistic people tend to self-stimulate. This is a repetition of the movements that the child uses in an unusual environment. For example, he can snap his fingers, shake his head, clap his hands.

Development of fears and obsessions. If the situation is unusual for the child, he may develop seizures aggression , and self-injury .

Early onset of autism

As a rule, autism manifests itself very early - parents can recognize it before the age of 1 year. In the first months, such children are less mobile, react inadequately to external stimuli, and have poor facial expressions.

Why children are born with autism is still not clearly known. Despite the fact that the causes of autism in children have not yet been clearly identified, and in each specific case the reasons may be individual, it is important to immediately report your suspicions to a specialist. Is it possible to cure autism, and is it curable at all? These questions can only be answered individually, after conducting an appropriate test and prescribing treatment.

What do parents of healthy children need to remember?

Those who do not know what autism is and how it manifests itself should still remember that such children are found among your children's peers. So, if someone's toddler is having a tantrum, it could be an autistic child or a toddler suffering from other mental disorders. You need to behave tactfully and not condemn such behavior.

• encourage parents and offer your help;
• do not criticize the baby or his parents, thinking that he is simply spoiled;
• try to remove all dangerous objects located near the baby;
• don't look at it too closely;
• be as calm as possible and let your parents know that you perceive everything correctly;
• Do not draw attention to this scene and do not make noise.

Intelligence in autism

Autistic traits also appear in a child's intellectual development. What it is depends on the characteristics of the disease. As a rule, such children have a moderate or mild form of mental retardation . Patients suffering from this disease have difficulty learning due to the presence of brain defects .

If autism is combined with chromosome abnormalities , microcephaly , then it can develop profound mental retardation . But if there is a mild form of autism, and the child’s speech is developing dynamically, then intellectual development may be normal or even above average.

The main feature of the disease is selective intelligence . Such children can demonstrate excellent results in mathematics, drawing, and music, but fall far behind in other subjects. Savantism is a phenomenon where an autistic person is very clearly gifted in one specific area. Some autistic people are able to play a melody accurately after hearing it only once, or calculate complex examples in their head. Famous autists of the world - Albert Einstein, Andy Kaufman, Woody Allen, Andy Warhole and many others.

There are certain types of autistic disorders, including: Asperger's syndrome . It is generally accepted that this is a mild form of autism, the first signs of which appear at a later age - after about 7 years. This diagnosis requires the following features:

• normal or high level of intelligence;
• normal speech skills;
• problems with speech volume and intonation are noted;
• fixation on some activity or study of a phenomenon;
• lack of coordination of movements: strange postures, awkward walking;
• self-centeredness, lack of ability to compromise.

Such people lead relatively normal lives: they study in educational institutions and at the same time can make progress and create families. But all this happens provided that the right conditions are created for them, adequate education and support are present.

Rett syndrome

This is a serious disease of the nervous system, the causes of its occurrence are associated with disturbances in the X chromosome. Only girls suffer from it, since with such disorders the male fetus dies in the womb. The frequency of this disease is 1:10,000 girls. When a child has this particular syndrome, the following signs are noted:

• deep autism, isolating the child from the outside world;
• normal development of the baby in the first 0.5-1.5 years;
• slow head growth after this age;
• loss of purposeful hand movements and skills;
• hand movements - such as shaking hands or washing;
• loss of speech skills;
• poor coordination and poor motor activity.

How to determine Rett syndrome - this is a question for a specialist. But this condition is slightly different from classic autism. So, with this syndrome, doctors determine epileptic activity and underdevelopment of the brain. The prognosis for this disease is poor. In this case, any correction methods are ineffective.

How is autism diagnosed?

Externally, such symptoms in newborns cannot be determined. However, scientists have been working for a long time to identify signs of autism in newborns as early as possible.

Most often, parents notice the first signs of this condition in children. Especially early autistic behavior is determined by those parents whose family already has small children. Those who have autism in their family should take into account that this is a disease that should be tried to be diagnosed as early as possible. After all, the earlier autism is identified, the greater the chances of such a child to feel adequately in society and live a normal life.

Test with special questionnaires

If childhood autism is suspected, diagnosis is carried out through interviews with parents, as well as studying how the child behaves in his usual environment. The following tests are used:

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS)
• Autism Diagnostic Questionnaire (ADI-R)
• Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
• Autism Behavioral Questionnaire (ABC)
• Autism Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)
• Checklist for Autism in Young Children (CHAT)

Instrumental research

The following methods are used:

• performing an ultrasound of the brain - for the purpose of exclusion brain damage , provoking symptoms;
• EEG – for the purpose of identifying seizures epilepsy (sometimes these manifestations are accompanied by autism);
• child hearing test – to exclude delayed speech development due to hearing loss .

It is important for parents to correctly perceive the behavior of a child who suffers from autism.

Adults see	Is not	Perhaps it
Shows forgetfulness and disorganization	Manipulation, laziness, lack of desire to do anything	Lack of understanding of parents' or other people's expectations, high anxiety, reaction to stress and change, attempt to regulate sensory systems
Prefers monotony, resists change, gets upset by change, prefers to repeat actions	Stubbornness, refusal to cooperate, rigidity	Uncertainty about how to follow instructions, desire to maintain normal order, inability to assess the situation from the outside
Does not follow instructions, is impulsive, makes provocations	Selfishness, disobedience, desire to always be the center of attention	It is difficult for him to understand general and abstract concepts, it is difficult for him to process information
Avoids lighting and certain sounds, does not look anyone in the eye, rotates, touches, smells foreign objects	Disobedience, bad behavior	He has poor processing of bodily and sensory signals, high visual, sound, and olfactory sensitivity

Treatment of autism

Whether this condition can be treated or not is of most interest to the parents of such children. Unfortunately, the answer to the question " Is autism curable?" unambiguous: " No, there is no treatment».

But, despite the fact that the disease cannot be cured, the situation can be improved. The best “treatment” in this case is regular classes every day And creating the most favorable environment for autistic people .

Such actions are actually very difficult for both parents and teachers. But with such means one can achieve great success.

How to raise an autistic child

• Realize who an autistic person is and that autism is a way of being. That is, such a baby is able to think, look, hear, feel differently than most people.
• To provide the most favorable environment for someone with autism so that they can develop and learn. An unfavorable environment and changes in routine have a bad effect on an autistic person and force him to withdraw even deeper into himself.
• Consult with specialists - psychiatrist, psychologist, speech therapist and others.

How to treat autism, stages

• Build the skills needed for learning. If the child does not make contact, gradually establish it, not forgetting who they are - autistic people. Gradually you need to develop at least the rudiments of speech.
• Eliminate forms of behavior that are unconstructive: aggression, self-injury, fears, withdrawal, etc.
• Learn to observe, imitate.
• Teach social games and roles.
• Learn to make emotional contact.

Behavioral therapy for autism

The most common treatment for autism is practiced according to the principles behaviorism (behavioral psychology).

One of the subtypes of such therapy is ABA therapy . The basis of this treatment is to observe what the baby's reactions and behavior look like. After all the features have been studied, stimuli are selected for a particular autistic person. For some children this is their favorite dish, for others it is musical motives. Further, all desired reactions are reinforced with such encouragement. That is, if the baby did everything as needed, then he will receive encouragement. This is how contact develops, skills are consolidated and signs of destructive behavior disappear.

Speech therapy practice

Despite the degree of autism, such children have certain difficulties with speech development, which interferes with normal communication with people. If your child regularly works with a speech therapist, his intonation and pronunciation will improve.

Developing self-service and socialization skills

Autistic people lack the motivation to play and do everyday things. They find it difficult to adapt to maintaining personal hygiene and daily routine. To consolidate the desired skill, they use cards on which the order of performing such actions is drawn or written.

Medication therapy

It is permissible to treat autism with medications only if the destructive behavior of a young patient interferes with its development. However, parents need to remember that any reaction of an autistic person - crying, screaming, stereotypy - is a kind of contact with the outside world. It’s worse if the child withdraws into himself for whole days.

Therefore, any sedative and psychotropic medications can only be used according to strict indications.

There are some opinions that are more popular than scientific. For example, data on what helps to cure an autistic person has not been scientifically confirmed.

Some methods are not only not beneficial, but can also be dangerous for the patient. It's about application glycine , stem cells , micropolarization etc. Such methods can be very harmful for autistic people.

Conditions that mimic autism

SPD with autistic traits

The symptoms of this disease are associated with delayed psycho-speech development. They are in many ways similar to the signs of autism. Starting from a very early age, the baby does not develop in terms of speech in the way that existing norms suggest. In the first months of life, he does not babble, then he does not learn to speak simple words. At 2-3 years old his vocabulary is very poor. Such children are often poorly developed physically and sometimes hyperactive. The final diagnosis is made by the doctor. It is important to visit a psychiatrist or speech therapist with your child.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

This condition is also often mistaken for autism. Children with attention deficit are restless and have difficulty learning at school. Problems arise with concentrating; such children are very active. Even in adulthood, echoes of this condition remain, because such people find it difficult to remember information and make decisions. You should try to diagnose this condition as early as possible, practice treatment with psychostimulants and sedatives, and also visit a psychologist.

Hearing loss

These are a variety of hearing impairments, congenital and acquired. Children who are hard of hearing also experience speech delay. Therefore, such children do not respond well to their names, fulfill requests, and may seem disobedient. In this case, parents may suspect autism in their children. But a professional psychiatrist will definitely refer the baby for an examination of auditory function. A hearing aid can help solve problems.

Schizophrenia

Previously, autism was considered one of the manifestations in children. However, it is now clear that these are two completely different diseases. Schizophrenia in children begins later - at 5-7 years. The symptoms of this disease appear gradually. Such children have obsessive fears, talk to themselves, and later develop delusions and... This condition is treated with medication.

It is important to understand that autism is not a death sentence. After all, with proper care, the earliest correction of autism and support from specialists and parents, such a child can fully live, learn and find happiness as an adult.

Education: Graduated from Rivne State Basic Medical College with a degree in Pharmacy. Graduated from Vinnitsa State Medical University named after. M.I. Pirogov and internship at his base.

Experience: From 2003 to 2013, she worked as a pharmacist and manager of a pharmacy kiosk. She was awarded diplomas and decorations for many years of conscientious work. Articles on medical topics were published in local publications (newspapers) and on various Internet portals.

Recently, we have increasingly heard about such a mental disorder as autism. Society has finally stopped turning a blind eye to this phenomenon and extended a helping hand to autistic people. An important role in this was played by the promotion of tolerance and educational activities.

Knowledge about what kind of disease this is, how to recognize it, whether it can be treated or not has become widespread. This made it possible to reduce the age of diagnosis and provide timely treatment. People with autism have a chance for successful socialization and a happy life despite their diagnosis.

I, too, could not ignore this disorder. The topic of my article today is autistic people. Who they are, how they behave, how to communicate with them - let's consider all these questions. I will try to answer them in simple and understandable words.

What is autism

Autism is a mental disorder characterized by disturbances in the emotional and communication spheres. It appears already in early childhood and remains with a person for life. People suffering from this disorder have difficulty with social interaction and demonstrate poor development of emotional intelligence.

Autistic people are withdrawn and immersed in their inner world. Communication with other people is difficult for them, since they are completely devoid of empathy. Such people are not able to understand the social meaning of what is happening. They do not perceive facial expressions, gestures, intonations of people, and cannot determine the emotions hidden behind external manifestations.

What do autistic people look like from the outside? You can recognize them by their distant gaze, as if directed inwards. Such people seem emotionless, like robots or dolls. When talking, autistic people avoid making eye contact with people.

The behavior of autistic people is often stereotypical, patterned, and mechanical. Their imagination and abstract thinking are limited. They can repeat the same phrases many times, ask the same type of questions and answer them themselves. Their life is subject to a routine, deviation from which is very painful. Any change is a big stress for autistic people.

The wonderful film “Rain Man” starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise is dedicated to this disease. If you want to see with your own eyes what autism looks like from the outside, I recommend watching this movie.

An individual with a mild form of autism is not much different from ordinary people. Because of his autistic traits, he may come across as strange, aloof, and “out of this world.” Sometimes neither he himself nor those around him are aware of the diagnosis.

Many famous people suffer from this disease, but this does not prevent them from living a full life. Among them are singers Courtney Love and Susan Boyle, actress Daryl Hannah, director Stanley Kubrick.

Symptoms of Autism

The diagnosis of autism is usually made in early childhood. The first manifestations can be noticed already in a one-year-old baby. At this age, parents should be alert to the following signs:

• lack of interest in toys;
• low mobility;
• poor facial expressions;
• lethargy.

As you grow older, more and more new symptoms are added, and a clear clinical picture of the disease emerges. Autistic child:

• does not like touching, is nervous at any tactile contact;
• sensitive to certain sounds;
• avoids eye contact with people;
• talks little;
• not interested in communicating with peers, spends most of his time alone;
• emotionally unstable;
• rarely smiles;
• does not respond to his own name;
• often repeats the same words and sounds.

Having discovered at least some of these symptoms in a child, parents should show him to the doctor. An experienced doctor will diagnose and develop a treatment plan. Professionals who can diagnose autism include a neurologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist.

This disease is diagnosed based on observation of the child’s behavior, psychological tests, and conversation with the young patient. In some cases, MRI and EEG may be needed.

Classification of autistic disorders

Currently, instead of the term “autism,” doctors usually use the term “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD). It unites several diseases with similar symptoms, but differing in the severity of manifestations.

Kanner syndrome

“Classic” form of autism. Another name is early childhood autism. Characterized by all of the above symptoms. It can occur in mild, moderate and severe forms, depending on the severity of the manifestations.

Asperger's syndrome

This is a relatively mild form of autism. The first manifestations occur at approximately 6-7 years. It is not uncommon for the diagnosis to be made in adulthood.

People with Asperger's syndrome can lead quite normal social lives. They are not much different from healthy people and, under favorable conditions, are able to get a job and start a family.

The following symptoms are characteristic of this disorder:

• developed intellectual abilities;
• clear, intelligible speech;
• fixation on one activity;
• problems with coordination of movements;
• difficulties with “deciphering” human emotions;
• the ability to imitate normal social interaction.

People with Asperger's syndrome often demonstrate extraordinary mental abilities. Many of them are recognized as geniuses and achieve incredible levels of development in specific areas. They may, for example, have phenomenal memory or perform complex mathematical calculations in their heads.

Rett syndrome

This is a severe form of autism caused by genetic disorders. Only girls suffer from it, since boys die in the womb. It is characterized by complete maladjustment of the individual and mental retardation.

Usually, children with Rett syndrome develop normally until they are one year old, but then a sharp inhibition of development occurs. There is a loss of already acquired skills, slowing of head growth, and impaired coordination of movements. Patients have no speech, they are completely self-absorbed and maladjusted. This disorder is practically impossible to correct.

Nonspecific pervasive developmental disorder

This syndrome is also called atypical autism. The clinical picture of the disease is blurred, which makes diagnosis very difficult. The first symptoms tend to appear later than in classic autism and may be less severe. Often this diagnosis is made already in adolescence.

Atypical autism may be accompanied by mental retardation, or may occur without loss of intellectual abilities. With a mild form of this disease, patients are well socialized and have a chance to live a full life.

Childhood disintegrative disorder

This pathology is characterized by normal development of a child up to two years of age. Moreover, this applies to both the intellectual and emotional spheres. The baby learns to speak, understands speech, and acquires motor skills. Social interaction with people is not impaired - in general, he is no different from his peers.

However, after he reaches the age of 2 years, regression begins. The child loses previously developed skills and stops in mental development. This can happen gradually over several years, but more often it happens rapidly - within 5-12 months.

Initially, there may be changes in behavior, such as outbursts of anger and panic. Then the child loses motor, communication, and social skills. This is the main difference between this disease and classic autism, in which previously acquired skills are preserved.

The second significant difference is the loss of the ability to self-care. With severe childhood integrative disorder, patients cannot feed, wash, or go to the toilet on their own.

Fortunately, this disease is very rare - approximately 1 case per 100,000 children. It is often confused with Rett syndrome due to the similarity of symptoms.

Causes of autism

Medicine does not provide a clear answer as to why people are born with this disease. However, scientists have identified congenital and acquired factors contributing to its development.

1. Genetics. Autism is inherited. If a person has relatives with autism spectrum disorders, he is at risk.
2. Cerebral palsy.
3. Traumatic brain injury received by a child during childbirth or in the first days after birth.
4. Severe infectious diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy: rubella, chicken pox, cytomegalovirus.
5. Fetal hypoxia during pregnancy or childbirth.

Treatment of autism

Autism is an incurable disease. It will accompany the patient throughout his life. Some forms of this disorder exclude the possibility of socialization of a person. These include Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and a severe form of Kanner syndrome. Relatives of such patients will have to come to terms with the need to care for them throughout their lives.

Milder forms can be corrected provided a number of conditions are met. It is possible to mitigate the manifestations of the disease and achieve successful integration of the individual into society. To do this, from early childhood you need to constantly work with them and create a favorable environment for them. Autistic people should grow up in an atmosphere of love, understanding, patience and respect. Often such people become valuable employees because of their ability to immerse themselves in the study of a particular area.

All parents whose children have been diagnosed with this are concerned with the question of how long autistic people live. It is very difficult to answer, since the prognosis depends on many factors. According to a study conducted in Sweden, the average life expectancy of autistic people is 30 years less than that of normal people.

But let's not talk about sad things. Let's take a closer look at the main treatments for autism.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven itself in the correction of autism not burdened by mental retardation. The sooner treatment is started, the better the result can be achieved.

The psychotherapist first observes the patient’s behavior and records points that need to be corrected. Then he helps the child become aware of his thoughts, feelings, and motives for actions in order to isolate those that are unconstructive and false. Autistic people often have maladaptive beliefs.

For example, they may perceive everything in black and white. When they are given tasks, they may think that they can either do them perfectly or poorly. The options “good”, “satisfactory”, “not bad” do not exist for them. In this situation, patients are afraid to take on tasks because the bar for the result is too high.

Another example of destructive thinking is generalizing from one example. If a child fails to complete some exercise, he decides that he will not be able to cope with the rest.

Cognitive behavioral therapy successfully corrects these negative patterns of thinking and behavior. The psychotherapist helps the patient develop a strategy for replacing them with constructive ones.

To do this, he uses positive incentives, reinforcing the desired actions. The stimulus is selected individually; this role may include a toy, a treat, or entertainment. With regular exposure, positive patterns of behavior and thinking replace destructive ones.

Applied behavior analysis method (ABA therapy)

ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a training system based on behavioral technologies. It allows the patient to develop complex social skills: speech, play, collective interaction and others.

The specialist breaks down these skills into simple small actions. Each action is memorized by the child and repeated many times until it becomes automatic. Then they are combined into a single chain and form a complete skill.

The adult rather tightly controls the process of assimilation of actions, not allowing the child to take the initiative. All unwanted actions are stopped.

ABA has several hundred training programs in its arsenal. They are designed for both young children and teenagers. Early intervention before the age of 6 years is most effective.

This technique involves intensive training of 30-40 hours a week. Several specialists work with the child at once - a defectologist, an art therapist, a speech therapist. As a result, the autistic person acquires the necessary behavioral patterns for life in society.

The effectiveness of the method is very high - about 60% of children who underwent correction at an early age were later able to study in secondary schools.

Nemechek Protocol

American doctor Peter Nemechek established a connection between brain disorders and intestinal dysfunction in autism. Scientific research allowed him to develop a completely new method of treating this disease, radically different from the existing ones.

According to Nemechek's theory, central nervous system dysfunction and brain cell damage in autism may be caused by:

• widespread distribution of bacteria in the intestines;
• intestinal inflammation;
• intoxication with waste products of microorganisms;
• nutrient imbalance.

The protocol is aimed at normalizing intestinal processes and restoring natural microflora. It is based on the use of special food additives.

1. Inulin. Promotes the removal of propionic acid produced by bacteria from the body. According to experiments conducted on animals, its excess causes antisocial behavior.
2. Omega-3. Normalizes the body's protective functions and suppresses autoimmune reactions caused by bacterial overgrowth.
3. Olive oil. Maintains the balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, preventing the development of inflammation.

Since the method is new and quite unique, controversy continues to surround it. Nemechek is accused of colluding with dietary supplement manufacturers. We will be able to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of using the protocol only after many years. In the meantime, the decision remains up to the parents.

Speech therapy treatment

Patients with autism, as a rule, begin to speak late, and subsequently they do so reluctantly. Most have speech impairments, which aggravate the situation. Therefore, regular sessions with a speech therapist are recommended for autistic people. The doctor will help you pronounce sounds correctly and overcome the speech barrier.

Drug treatment

Drug therapy is aimed at relieving symptoms that interfere with normal life: hyperactivity, auto-aggression, anxiety, seizures. They resort to it only in the most extreme cases. Neuroleptics, sedatives, and tranquilizers can provoke even deeper withdrawal in an autistic person.

Conclusion

Autism is a serious illness that a person will have to live with for the rest of their life. But this does not mean that you need to resign yourself and give up. If you work hard with the patient from early childhood, you can achieve excellent results. People suffering from a mild form of autism will be able to fully socialize: get a job, start a family. And in severe cases, you can significantly relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

A person’s environment plays a huge role. If he grows up in an atmosphere of understanding and respect, he is more likely to achieve good results. Share this article with your friends so that as many people as possible learn about this disease. Let's create an environment together that makes everyone feel comfortable.

• Autism (also known as infantile autism, childhood autism, early infantile/childhood autism), Kanner's syndrome or Kanner's autism, in DSM-IV - autistic disorder - a disorder resulting from a disorder of brain development and characterized by severe and pervasive deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as limited interests and repetitive actions. All of these signs begin to appear before the age of three. Those with milder signs and symptoms are classified as autism spectrum disorders.

  The causes of autism are closely related to genes that influence the maturation of synaptic connections in the brain, but the genetics of the disease are complex, and at the moment it is not clear what influences the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders more: the interaction of many genes or rare mutations. In rare cases, a strong association of the disease with exposure to substances that cause birth defects is found. Other proposed causes are controversial - in particular, there is no scientific evidence for the hypothesis linking autism to childhood vaccinations. According to data from the United States, in 2011-2012, autism and autism spectrum disorders were officially diagnosed in 2% of schoolchildren, up from 1.2% in 2007. The number of people diagnosed with autism has risen sharply since the 1980s, partly due to changing approaches to diagnosis; It is unclear whether the actual prevalence of the disorder has increased.

  In autism, changes have been noted in many areas of the brain, but exactly how they develop is unclear. Parents usually notice signs of the disorder during the first two years of a child's life. Although early behavioral and cognitive interventions can help a child gain self-help, social, and communication skills, there is currently no known cure for autism. Few children make the transition to independent living upon reaching adulthood, but some succeed. Moreover, a unique culture of autistic people has emerged, a number of whose representatives are searching for a cure, while others believe that autism is more of a “special” alternative condition than a disease.

  Classified as a disease of the nervous system, autism manifests itself primarily in developmental delays and reluctance to interact with others. This condition most often occurs in children under three years of age. Symptoms of this disease do not always manifest themselves physiologically, but observation of the child’s behavior and reactions makes it possible to recognize this disorder, which develops in approximately 1-6 children per thousand. The causes of autism have not been fully identified.