5.TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

There are no medications that can cure ASD or treat the core symptoms. However, there are medications that can help some people with ASD function better. For example, medication might help manage high energy levels, inability to focus, depression, or seizures.

There are many different types of treatments available. For example, auditory training, discrete trial training, vitamin therapy, anti-yeast therapy, facilitated communication, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and sensory integration.

The different types of treatments can generally be broken down into the following categories are

• Behavior and Communication Approaches,  
• Dietary Approaches,  
• Medication and 
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNICATION APPROACHES

According to reports by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Research Council, behavior and communication approaches that help children with ASD are those that provide structure, direction, and organization for the child in addition to family participation. A notable treatment approach for people with an ASD is called applied behavior analysis (ABA). 

DIETARY APPROACHES

Some dietary treatments have been developed by reliable therapists. But many of these treatments do not have the scientific support needed for widespread recommendation. An unproven treatment might help one child, but may not help another. Many bio medical interventions call for changes in diet.

Such changes include removing certain types of foods from a child’s diet and using vitamin or mineral supplements. Dietary treatments are based on the idea that food allergies or lack of vitamins and minerals cause symptoms of ASD.

MEDICATION

There are no medications that can cure ASD or even treat the main symptoms. But there are medications that can help some people with related symptoms. For example, medication might help manage high energy levels, inability to focus, depression, or seizures.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

         To relieve the symptoms of ASDs, some parents and health care professionals use treatments that are outside of what is typically recommended by the pediatrician. These types of treatments are known as complementary and alternative treatments (CAM). They might include special diets, cheating (a treatment to remove heavy metals like lead from the body), biological (e.g., secreting), or body-based systems (like deep pressure).

  If the child has a more probability for having autism disorder, the EAST- AC website will automatically predict in what specialization the autism child has lack and display the value. The EAST-AC not only predicts the lack of specialization of autism child but also provide the basic supporting methods and list the doctors specialized in the particular specification.

4.SOME DIAGNOSIS OF ASD

Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorders. Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. This delay means that children with ASD might not get the early help they need. Diagnosing an ASD takes two steps 

• Developmental Screening 
• Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation.

DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING

         Developmental screening is a short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays. During developmental screening the doctor might ask the parent some questions or talk and play with the child during an exam to see how she learns, speaks, behaves, and moves. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a problem.All children should be screened for developmental delays and disabilities during regular well-child doctor visits at 9 months, 18 months, 24 or 30 months and Additional screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for developmental problems due to preterm birth, low birth weight or other reasons.

        In addition, all children should be screened specifically for ASD during regular well-child doctor visits at 18 months, 24 months and Additional screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for ASD (e.g., having a sister, brother or other family member with an ASD) or if behaviors sometimes associated with ASD are present.

COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION

          The second step of diagnosis is a comprehensive evaluation. This thorough review may include looking at the child’s behavior and development and interviewing the parents. It may also include a hearing and vision screening, genetic testing, neurological testing, and other medical testing. Specialists who can do this type of evaluation include Developmental Pediatricians (doctors who have special training in child development and children with special needs), Child Neurologists (doctors who work on the brain, spine, and nerves) and Child Psychologists or Psychiatrists (doctors who know about the human mind).

        Since both the Developmental Screening and Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation need several months to take a treatment for the autism children, by this EAST-AC website the earlier characteristics report of the autism child can be easily gathered by the parent and help them to carry on treatment as early as possible.

3.WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ASD?

            Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are classified as a group of conditions that vary on a continuum, also referred to as the “spectrum”. ASDs are neural development disorders that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication and are associated with unusual behaviors and interests.There are 3 types of ASD, they are

• Autistic Disorder/Autism
• Asperger Syndrome/Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified(PDD-NOS)
  

AUTISTIC DISORDER/AUTISM

             In Autistic Disorder, or Autism, the impairments in the social and communication areas are severe and sustained and present before the age of three years (although they may not receive a diagnosis by this age). There is likely to be a restricted range of activities and interests. Autism is sometimes referred to as classic autism. Speech delay is a core feature of Autism. Individuals with Autism may also have an intellectual disability.

ASPERGER SYNDROME/DISORDER

There can be severe and sustained social impairments, but impairments are not as severe in the communication area and language generally develops at the typical age. However, individuals may still have difficulties with the unwritten rules of communication (e.g. turn‐taking, engaging in conversation, literal interpretations). There is likely to be a restricted range of activities and interests. The impairments seem less obvious in the very young child, and become more apparent when the individual is in pre-schoolers school. 

PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER – NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD‐NOS)

           People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperser syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People with PDD-NOS(also called "atypical autism") usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder.  The symptoms might cause only social and communication challenges.

2.WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASD?

          In both children and adults, the signs and symptoms of the autism spectrum disorders include problems with social skills, speech and language, and restricted activities and interests. Keep in mind that just because your child has a few autism-like symptoms, it doesn’t mean he or she has an autism spectrum disorder.

SOCIAL SKILLS

          Basic social interaction can be difficult for children with autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms may include

• Unusual or inappropriate body language, gestures, and facial expressions (e.g. avoiding eye contact or using facial expressions that don’t match what he or she is saying),
• Lack of interest in other people or in sharing interests or achievements (e.g. showing you a drawing, pointing to a bird), 
• Prefers to be alone
  
  
• Unlikely to approach others or to pursue social interaction,
• Comes across as aloof and detached, 
• Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings, 
• Reactions, and nonverbal cues,
• Resistance to being touched and
• Difficulty or failure to make friends with children the same age.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

        Problems with speech and language comprehension are a telltale sign of the autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms may include

• Delay in learning how to speak (after the age of two) or doesn’t talk at all, 
• Speaking in an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch, 
• Repeating words or phrases over and over without communicative intent, 
• Trouble starting a conversation or keeping it going, 
• Difficulty communicating needs or desires, 
• Doesn’t understand simple statements or questions, 
• Taking what is said too literally and
• Missing humor, irony, and sarcasm.

RESTRICTED BEHAVIOR AND PLAY

        Children with autism spectrum disorders are often restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviors, activities, and interests. Symptoms are Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning) moving constantly, Obsessive attachment to unusual objects (rubber bands, keys, light switches),  Preoccupation with a specific topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols (maps, license plates, sports statistics), A strong need for sameness, order, and routines (e.g. lines up toys, follows a rigid schedule). Gets upset by change in their routine or environment. Clumsiness, abnormal posture, or odd ways of moving, Fascinated by spinning objects, moving pieces, or parts of toys (e.g. spinning the wheels on a race car, instead of playing with the whole car).

1.WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?

           Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

          Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effective methods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioural therapies can improve outcomes. Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect of this work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role.