Autism

Autism is a severely handicapping disorder, which begins at birth or within the first 2 ½ years of life characterized by impairment in effective social skills, absent or impaired language development, repetitive and/or stereotyped activities and interest, especially inanimate objects. For many years autism occurred in about 5 children per 10,000 live births. However, since the early 1990's, the rate of autism has increased enormously throughout the world, so that figures as high as 60 per 10,000 are being reported. The reasons for the increase are being debated, but the most likely cause appears to be the over vaccinations of infants.
   
Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors, which are markedly different from those of normal children. They may stare into space for hours, throw uncontrollable tantrums, show no interest in people (including their parents) and pursue strange, repetitive activities with no apparent purpose. They have been described as living in a world of their own.

These are abnormalities of communication, abnormalities of social development, and a restriction of behavior and interest. Of these, the abnormalities of social development are the most specific to autism. These and other features will be described more fully.

Autistic aloneness is an abnormality of social development in which the child she unable to make warm emotional relationships with people. Autistic children do not respond to their relationships with people. Autistic children do not response to their parent’s affectionate behavior by smiling or cuddling. Instead, they appear to dislike being picked up or kissed. They are no more responsive to their parents than to strangers and do not show interesting other children. There is little difference in their behavior towards people and inanimate objects. A characteristic sign is gaze avoidance that is the absence of eye-to eye contact.

Assessment from Specialist Medical Doctor should be concerned with more than the diagnosis of autism. The following additional factors need to be considered.
   

Treatment : 

Before starting with the treatment psychiatrist examination is must.

Treatment has three aspects: management of the abnormal behavior, arrangements for social and educational services, and help for the family.

Behavioral method using contingency management.

Most autistic children require special schooling.

The family of an autistic child needs considered help to cope with the child’s behavior. Which is often bewildering and distressing.

Between 10 and 20 per cent of children with childhood autism begin improve between the ages of about four and six years and are eventually able to attend an ordinary school and obtain work.