Autism is a disorder of the modern era, and a concerning trend is the sudden increase in the number of autistic children in recent years. Statistics from the 1990s indicated a rate of 6 per 1000 children affected by autism, which increased to 1 in 150 by 2007. Among these cases, boys are affected at a rate 3 to 4 times higher than girls.
Disorders in autism stem from abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain. These disorders disrupt the balance between the left and right brain hemispheres, affecting the regions responsible for social interaction and communication skills. Symptoms of autism typically appear early, between 24 to 36 months of age, and are quite distinctive. Children with autism often experience delayed development in social interaction skills, language use, behavioral disorders, and emotions.
1. Signs of Recognizing Autism
Common signs include delayed speech development, difficulty understanding the meaning of common words, preference for solitary activities leading to poor integration, resistance to changing habits, repetitive behaviors, insensitivity to temperature changes, etc. More severely affected children often experience psychological issues, with some being withdrawn, others aggressive, and many anxious or fearful due to their lack of awareness of the world around them.
- Children may struggle with communication, such as not smiling, being passive, or crawling instead of walking, or using unclear or loud language without clear meaning.
- They may have poor auditory skills, startle easily at sudden noises, or even experience deafness.
- Children often engage in repetitive actions like head-banging, body rocking, or transferring toys from one hand to the other.
- They may lack interest in physical activity and be reluctant to engage in physical games with friends. They may not enjoy imaginative play and prefer structured or solitary activities.
- Children may find it difficult to adapt to new environments and changes, struggling to adjust due to difficulties in thinking and self-regulation. Typically, they stick to specific diets, school routines, etc., and react intensely to changes.
2. Causes of Autism
To date, scientists have not conclusively determined the exact causes of autism. Some hypotheses suggest genetic factors or structural gene abnormalities play a role, consistent with the observation of higher autism rates in families with a history of the disorder. Additionally, factors such as abnormalities during pregnancy and childbirth, environmental pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals, electromagnetic fields, or certain bacterial or viral infections may increase the risk of autism.
3. Treatment Methods for Autism
Although the exact cause of the disease remains unclear, autism is treatable. The goal of treatment is to help patients lead as normal a life as possible. Currently, there is no fixed treatment method for autism; interventions depend on the individual characteristics of each patient, and doctors apply various treatment measures accordingly.
Treatment methods include behavior adjustment skills, development of communication and language skills, establishing a suitable nutritional regimen, and using supportive products. Supportive products are used to treat associated psychological abnormalities and enhance learning and information reception abilities. Some products help improve agitation or withdrawal symptoms, while others enhance the nervous system activity of patients.