For years autism was ignored and feared, while people with it were often committed to asylums, because so little was known about it. Autism can be difficult to treat and there isn’t a cure for it currently. Instead, treatment usually focuses on building skills, encouraging independence and providing the best quality of life possible for people with autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is tricky, because it doesn’t have a single set of symptoms to work with. Instead, it presents with a variety of symptoms that can vary tremendously in both severity and frequency. Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears in the first three years of life. It impacts a persons’ social and communication skills, while often causing the person to engage in a series of repetitive movements or speech patterns.
It’s common for an autistic child to become very emotional or argumentative, frequently to the point of being unable to function, if their patterns are disrupted. They find enormous comfort in being very neat and organized, while schedules and daily lists give structure to their daily activities. As of September 2012, there are only three known forms of autism. One is Asperger’s Syndrome, which is characterized by problems with cognitive abilities and language or verbal skills. Another is Pervasive Development Disorder, also known as PDD and of course, autism itself.
Due to an incorrect article published happy wheels several years ago in a leading medical journal, many people believed for years that there was a documented link between immunizations and autism. The information was found to be incorrect and although there are many theories about the causes of autism, including genetics, environmental toxins and pesticides, nothing has been confirmed. It’s also believed that while the number of people diagnosed with autism has grown dramatically since the 1980’s, it’s unclear whether people were simply not being diagnosed before then or if the numbers have actually grown in that time period.
What are the Treatment Options?
There are several different choices for treating this problem. Special modifications in school, therapy and medication have been able to help many people. In addition, some people are able to manage their own symptoms, without outside intervention, as adults.
Other treatment options include homeopathic options like following specific diets and eliminating certain food choices, as well as consuming powerful supplements and vitamins.
If you suspect that your child has symptoms of autism, it is important to consult a physician as soon as possible. In order for the diagnosis of Autism to be accurate, the symptoms must have appeared prior to the child’s third birthday, although most symptoms are noted in the first 24 months. A child with autism typically seems normal until six months of age, when their skills don’t develop and may even go away entirely. This a serious disorder, but your child can still have a good life, so make sure they are getting all of the necessary services to help them on their way.
