Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. This disorder usually appears in children by age 2 or 3, but in some cases can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. This year the United Nations will be looking at assistive technologies that can help these special people participate in various social aspects of life. Below are the five things you need to know about the disorder, autism…
-  Prevalence: Autism has been revealed to be four times more common in boys than in girls. And according to the estimates of the World Health Organization, one out of every 160 children are living with ASD around the world. Though there are no known researches done on its prevalence in Nigeria, various private studies have shown that there is a 4:1 ratio between the prevalence of the disorder in boys than girl children.
- It is mostly accompanied by factors such as Gastrointestinal disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.
- High and low development: Children with autism may have areas where their cognitive abilities are fully and exceptionally blown while also having areas where they are not that sound. They may have an exceptional knack for solving maths problems, or memorizing facts, or creating music as they have an above average grasp on these non-verbal areas, but then have problems in areas such as communications.
- Causes: In accordance with many types of research, autism has been said to run in families and is caused by a certain combination of genes which predisposes a child to the disorder. However, factors such as increased age of the mother or father as at the child’s conception may also increase the chances of getting an autistic child. Other factors which also includes the use of alcohol while pregnant, maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity and the use of antiseizure drugs during pregnancy.Â
- Treatment: There is no cure for autism and no medications, however, there are drugs that can be used to treat some of the symptoms, such as, seizures, depression, trouble focusing and others. Although there is no drug-related cure, behavioral therapy is available in accordance with the needs of the child. Research has shown high-quality early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development.
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