AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
A DISABILITY OR A DIFFERENT ABILITY?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and impacts the nervous system. It is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.
Autism is a complex disorder of brain development that affects your child's ability to communicate, play and learn.
Autism spectrum disorder usually begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life.
Autism spectrum disorder is a group of developmental disorders. People with Autism spectrum disorder have social, communication, and behavioral difficulties.
There are many types of autism spectrum disorder.
The most commonly known are autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome.
Autism is more common in children born prematurely.
Studies suggest that ASD could be a result of disruptions in normal brain growth very early in development. These disruptions may be the result of defects in genes that control brain development and regulate how brain cells communicate with each other.
Clinically, in most cases of autism spectrum disorder, ASD presents as; an inability to fully or adequately process sensory information, it can be in any of the senses, such as touch, smell or taste, balance, or movement.
In Nigeria, one out of every 125-150 children is living with this condition. This amounts to about 600,000 Nigerian children with more than 100 thousand cases reported per year in Nigeria
Autism spectrum disorders include social, communication, and behavioral challenges. These problems can be mild, severe, or somewhere in between.
Autism being a spectrum disorder means those suffering from it could act in different ways, having distinct strengths and weaknesses.
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Early signs of autism. |
No cure exists for autism spectrum disorder, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. It is a lifelong diagnosis and the goal of treatment is to maximize your child's ability to function by reducing autism spectrum disorder symptoms and supporting development and learning.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tends to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown.
People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.
Common signs of autism to take note of;
1. Avoidance of eye contact.
2. Delayed speech and communication skills.
3. Reliance on rules and routines.
4. Being upset by relatively minor changes.
5. Unexpected reactions to sounds, tastes, sights, touch, and smells.
6. Difficulty understanding other people's emotions.
Autism is not a death sentence and children living with the condition should not be stigmatized!
To ENCOURAGE AUTISTIC KIDS TO DEVELOP GOOD SOCIAL SKILLS parents and guardians should;
1. Reinforce positive behavior and celebrate strengths.
2. Model and practice desired behaviors.
3. Be supportive, not judgmental.
4. Be empathetic.
5. Make them feel safe and loved e.t.c
In this piece, we, the editorial team celebrate the resilience of those affected by the disorder and support causes that promote awareness of it.
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