Symptoms of Autism: A Guide to Recognizing and Understanding
Symptoms of Kidney Infections: Don’t Let the Pain Ruin your Daily life
March 26, 2024
Better Care, Happier Patients: Achieve Both with Cellma’s Online Patient Portal
April 5, 2024
Have you met someone who likes to enjoy being alone, gets uncomfortable by loud noises, or hyperfixates on certain topics? Imagine you’re walking in a playground. You notice a child sitting alone on the bench in the corner, lost in their own world, spinning a toy car with extreme focus. All this might seem normal, but what if that’s not true? What if the child experiences the world through a different lens? Well, welcome to the world of autism! Autism affects how people interact and perceive the world around them. Ready to understand autism better? Join us as we explore the symptoms of autism and its causes and learn some controversies along the way!
What is Autism?
Autism makes it tough to communicate and behave like everyone else. The symptoms of autism begin by age 3 and have different impacts on everyone. Autistic people might struggle to express themselves and understand other feelings. They might also learn unevenly, being good in areas such as art or math but a bit weak in communication. It affects around 168 million people around the world. More kids are diagnosed with autism now, but it may be because the method of diagnosis has changed, not because the numbers of autistic children are increasing.
Symptoms of Autism
Symptoms of autism can differ widely from person to person, but there are a few typical signs to watch for in your children.
Social interaction difficulties
- Your child may not respond when you call out their name.
- By 6 months old, your child must show big smiles and happy expressions. If not, it could be one of the symptoms of autism.
- Gestures such as waving or reaching must start around 12 months old, but if that’s not happening, it could be an autism symptom.
Speech development
- By 16 months old, toddlers start saying words other than Mama and Dada. If not, you must pay attention to this.
- Babbling usually begins around 12 months old. If your child isn’t babbling by then, it’s worth noting.
- By around 2 years old, toddlers must be able to combine two-word phrases. If not, it could be one of the symptoms of autism.
Repetitive behaviors and interests
- A few autistic children might show repetitive behaviors, such as lining up their toys or following strict routines.
- They may have specific or uncommon interests.
- Sensory problems like displeasure with loud noises, specific clothing textures, or being picky eaters are common.
- Children might search for sensory experiences, like peeking at objects, licking, or sniffing things.
If you notice these symptoms of autism in your child, seeking professional guidance for further evaluation and support is vital. Early intervention can make a huge impact in helping autistic children.
How can autism affect someone's development?
Autism can lead to challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. While symptoms of autism differ for every individual, these can sometimes cause difficulties in other aspects of life.
Let’s break down how symptoms of autism might affect someone’s life:
- Social Life: They might find it hard to understand familiar social cues such as facial expressions or facial language. This can make it tough to make friends, participate in social activities, or even have a normal conversation.
- School and Learning: Following instructions, learning social situations in lessons, or concentrating in a classroom with distractions or noise can be hard for autistic people.
- Work: Communication barriers, difficulty adapting to changes in routine, or social anxieties may make it harder to find a job.
- Independence: Daily tasks that include social interaction or following confusing instructions, like using public transportation or managing finances, may be more burdensome for someone with autism.
- Emotions: Expressing and understanding emotions can be difficult. This can cause frustration, anxiety, or even meltdowns.
- Family Life: Autism can affect the entire family. Parents and siblings might need to learn ways to communicate and offer support.
- Bullying: People with autism are often targeted by bullies because they may act or communicate differently from others.
If you think you or someone you know may be dealing with symptoms of autism. It’s essential to talk to a professional or therapist. You can book an online appointment with a professional on Cellmaflex from the comfort of your home.
What Causes Autism?
The reason behind what causes autism is still a mystery, but it probably isn’t just a single thing. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the two major factors scientists are researching:
Genes
Different genes likely play a role in autism. A few children may have a genetic disorder like Fragile X syndrome or Rett syndrome, which can be related to autism. In other scenarios, a genetic mutation may enhance the symptoms of autism risk. Specific genes can impact how the brain evolves or how brain cells commune. Some genetic mutations are inherited, while others occur spontaneously.
Environment
Researchers are still looking into whether things such as viruses, medications, or pollution at the time of pregnancy may play a role in triggering autism. It’s vital to note that these are still being researched, and there’s no clear evidence yet.
The key takeaway? Autism is a complex condition, and there’s no single answer. Scientists are still trying to understand the main reasons, and both genes and the environment seem to be involved.
Vaccines and Autism: Clearing the Doubts!
Many people are confused if there’s a link between autism and childhood vaccines. Here’s the answer: Several studies have been done, and none of them have found any connection. The first study that started this controversy had to be disclaimed because it wasn’t done correctly.
Vaccines are vital for safeguarding your child and others from harmful diseases. When kids don’t get vaccinated, these diseases can quickly spread. This involves serious illnesses such as whooping cough, measles, and mumps.
How to Prevent Autism?
In rare cases, exposure to chemicals at the time of pregnancy can lead to birth defects. There’s no way as of now to predict symptoms of autism during pregnancy.
Although, you can take some steps to improve your chances of having a healthy baby:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves regular check-ups, a well-balanced diet, and regular exercise.
- Try not to skip appointments; take any prescribed supplements or vitamins.
- Talk about any medications with your healthcare provider before pregnancy. Mainly, alcohol is strictly restricted during pregnancy.
- If you are dealing with a Celiac disease or Phenylketonuria (PKU), follow your doctor’s advice for managing them.
- The rubella vaccine can prevent a particular type of autism linked to the disease.
You’re giving your baby the best start possible by caring for yourself and following your doctor’s guidance!
Bottom Line
This blog discussed the various symptoms of autism, from social interaction difficulties to repetitive behaviors. Remember, early intervention is crucial for autistic children. If you suspect autism in yourself or someone you know, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Cellmaflex allows you to book an online appointment with a therapist from the comfort of your home.
This week, Cellmaflex is collaborating with Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation (CKFTO) to encourage families and caregivers with neurodivergent children/wards to seek them for guidance in ensuring that their loved ones are made to feel seen, heard and included while they learn to navigate the world their way. Take charge of your well-being and explore the support available. Book an Appointment Today!
Disclaimer: Please note that the information is strictly for informative purposes. It is not intended to be used in lieu of professional medical advice, inclusive of diagnosis or treatment. It is strongly advised that you seek a doctor’s medical advice on any treatment or medical condition that you learn about
Learn more about autism from these websites:
World Health Organization – Autism
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Mayo Clinic – Autism spectrum disorder
