Yes, Autism Can BE Cured! What is AUTISM and Its symptoms causes And implications? Bhaktamar Mantra Healing

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that affects the way a person perceives and interacts with others, leading to problems in social interaction and communication. This disorder also includes restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder includes conditions that were previously considered distinct - autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome," which is generally considered the mild end of the autism spectrum disorder spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually leads to problems functioning in society, such as socially, at school, and in the workplace. Often, children show symptoms of autism as early as the first year of life. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months, during which they develop autism symptoms.

While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorders, intensive, early treatment can significantly improve the lives of many children.

Signs

Some children show signs of autism spectrum disorder in early infancy, such as decreased eye contact, lack of response to their name, or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally during the first months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive, or lose previously acquired language skills. The first signs usually appear at age 2.

Each child with an autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and severity - from low functioning to high functioning.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have lower than normal intelligence. Other children with autism spectrum disorder have normal to high intelligence - they learn quickly, but have difficulty communicating, applying their knowledge in everyday life, and adapting to social situations.

Because of the unique mix of symptoms in each child, it's sometimes difficult to determine severity. It's generally based on the extent of the impairments and how they affect functioning.

Below are some common signs seen in people with autism spectrum disorders.

1. Social communication and interaction

• A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including these signs:
• Doesn't respond to his or her name or sometimes doesn't seem to hear you
• Refuses to cuddle and hold, and seems to prefer to play alone and retreat into his or her own world
• Poor eye contact and lack of facial expressions
• Doesn't speak or speaks with delay or loses ability to speak words or phrases
• Cannot start or maintain a conversation or only starts a conversation to make requests or name objects
• Speaks in an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robotic speech
• Repeats words or phrases verbatim but doesn't understand how to use them
• Doesn't seem to understand simple questions or instructions
• Doesn't express emotions or feelings and seems unaware of others' feelings
• Doesn't point to or bring objects to show his or her interest
• Approaches a social interaction inappropriately by being passive, aggressive, or disruptive
• Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people's facial expressions, body posture, or tone of voice

Behavior pattern

• A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may exhibit limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that include any of the following signs:
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• Repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning, or hand clapping
• Activities that could lead to self-injury, such as biting or head banging
• Develops certain routines or rituals and becomes agitated at the slightest change
• Has problems with coordination or has strange movement patterns, such as clumsiness or tiptoeing, and has strange, stiff, or exaggerated body language
• Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn't understand the general purpose or function of the object
• Is unusually sensitive to light, sound, or touch, but may not respond to pain or temperature
• Doesn't engage in imitation or fantasy play
• Fixates with unusual intensity or concentration on an object or activity
• Has specific food preferences, e.g., eats only a few foods or rejects foods with a certain texture

As they get older, some children with autism spectrum disorder reach out more to others and show fewer behavioral problems. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, can eventually lead normal or near-normal lives. Others, however, continue to have difficulties with language or social skills, and behavioral and emotional problems may worsen in the teen years.

When to see a doctor

Babies develop at their own pace, and many don't follow the exact schedules found in some parenting guides. However, children with autism spectrum disorder usually show some signs of delayed development before age 2.

If you're concerned about your child's development or suspect that your child may have autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor. The symptoms associated with this disorder may also be associated with other developmental disorders.

Signs of autism spectrum disorder often show up early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental testing to determine if your child has delays in cognitive, language, and social skills if your child:

• Doesn't respond with a smile or happy facial expression by 6 months of age
• Doesn't imitate sounds or facial expressions by 9 months of age
• Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months of age
• Doesn't make gestures such as pointing or waving by 14 months of age
• Doesn't speak individual words by 16 months
• Doesn't yet play imaginary games with the child by 18 months of age
• Doesn't yet speak two-word sentences by 24 months of age
• Loses language or social skills at any age

Causes

There is no single known cause for autism spectrum disorder. Given the complexity of the disorder and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are likely many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

Heredity. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. In some children, autism spectrum disorder may be associated with a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. In other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect brain development or the way brain cells communicate with each other, or they may determine the severity of symptoms. Some gene mutations appear to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously.

Environmental factors. Researchers are currently studying whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorders.

No link between vaccinations and autism spectrum disorders

One of the biggest controversies in autism spectrum disorders revolves around whether there is a link between the disorder and childhood vaccinations. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has demonstrated a link between autism spectrum disorders and vaccinations. The original study that sparked the debate years ago was withdrawn due to poor design and questionable research methods.

Avoiding childhood vaccinations can put your child and others at risk for contracting and spreading serious diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), measles, or mumps.

Risk factors

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is increasing. It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting or an actual increase in cases, or both.

Autism spectrum disorders affect children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child's risk. These may include:

Your child's gender. Boys are about four times more likely to have autism spectrum disorder than girls.

Family history. Families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder have an increased risk of having another child with the disorder. It's also not uncommon for the parents or relatives of a child with autism spectrum disorder to have minor problems with social or communication skills themselves or to exhibit certain behaviors typical of the disorder.

Other disorders. Children with certain medical conditions are at higher risk than normal for autism spectrum disorders or autism-like symptoms. Examples include fragile X syndrome, an inherited disorder that causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis, a disorder in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and causes slowed head growth, intellectual disabilities, and loss of purposeful use of the hands.

Extremely premature infants. Babies born before 26 weeks' gestation may be at higher risk for autism spectrum disorder.

Parents' age. There may be an association between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorders, but more research is needed to determine this association.

 

Problems with social interactions, communication, and behavior can lead to:

• Problems in school and learning successfully
• Problems with employment
• Inability to live independently
• Social isolation
• Stress in the family
• Victimization and bullying

Prevention

There is no way to prevent autism spectrum disorders, but there are treatment options. Early diagnosis and intervention is most helpful and can improve behavior, skills, and language development. However, intervention is helpful at any age. Although children don't usually outgrow autism spectrum disorder symptoms, they can learn to function well.