Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), known as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood and persists into adolescence and adulthood, although its symptoms can be significantly reduced with treatment. It encompasses different conditions marked by neurological development disorders with three fundamental characteristics, which can manifest themselves together or separately: communication difficulties due to a deficiency in the domain of language and in the use of imagination to deal with symbolic games, difficulty in socialization and pattern of restrictive and repetitive behavior. The first signs of TEA are: • Rarity of demonstration of facial expressions appropriate to the situation experienced; • Difficulty recognizing what others may be thinking or feeling by seeing their facial expressions; • Lack or little empathy (Less show of concern for others); • Difficulty in relating.
Types of Autism: 1- Asperger syndrome is considered the mildest form of autism and is three times more common in boys than girls. It is an autistic spectrum state, usually with greater functional adaptation. People with this condition can be awkward in social interactions and have an interest in knowing everything about specific topics. Communication training and behavioral therapy can help people with Down syndrome learn to live together better. This is one of the milder types of autism. It can occur more often in boys than in girls, at a ratio of 3 to 1. In general, those who have the syndrome have a much higher than average intelligence, which is why it is also known as “high functioning autism”. . Asperger's is different from classical autistic because it has no language delay and no significant impairments. In general, the person will have: exceptional verbal skills, difficulties with symbology and social interactions, as well as obsessive behavior in certain interests. When untreated and diagnosed in childhood, Asperger's is more likely to develop depression and anxiety as an adult. 2- Pervasive Developmental Disorder are disorders that impair social interaction and the communicative and behavioral skills of individuals. Those who have this condition do not develop properly, which can cause dysfunctions in several areas. This is a slightly more severe type of autism than Asperger's, but not as compromising as Autistic Disorder. The symptoms are quite varied and distinct, depending on the patient. However, there are some signs considered “classic” that can appear in many patients, such as: difficulties in interacting socially, linguistic competence superior to that of autistic disorder, but inferior to Asperger's and less repetitive behaviors. 3-Autistic Disorder has more severe symptoms and is usually diagnosed early in childhood. Cognitive, linguistic and social skills are greatly affected and the patient exhibits many repetitive behaviors. Therefore, in general, the diagnosis of the condition occurs around the age of 3 and the child may show classic signs, such as: § lack of eye contact when speaking; § constant repetitive behaviors, such as clapping or waving hands; § delayed language; § difficulty placing orders using language.
4- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is among all the types of autism, the most severe and also the most uncommon. In general, the diagnosis is made in childhood, between 2 and 4 years old. During this period, the child may show characteristic signs such as: loss of intellectual, social and linguistic skills and inability to recover them. 5- RETT Syndrome, although it has similar signs and symptoms with autism spectrum disorder, is not related to the types of autism, because the mutation that causes Rett Syndrome occurs randomly, rather than being inherited, and the Most affected patients are female. In general, the signs of the Syndrome appear around the sixth to the eighteenth month of the child, when they begin to twist their hands too much, becoming a habit, stop responding socially, lose their language skills and have a lower head growth. – this being much below normal until the age of two.
Autism Levels: · Light (level 1): difficulties in initiating social interaction with other people, little interest in social interactions, difficulties in changing activities and organizational problems, although milder; ·Moderate (level 2): the deficit of social skills is a little greater, both verbal and the others and there is greater social impairment, even when the autistic receives support, there are also limitations to initiate social interactions. The moderate autistic has more difficulties in dealing with changes and presents more frequent repetitive behaviors; · Severe (level 3): deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication are great and there is greater difficulty in social interaction and in opening up to social interactions from other people. In addition, this autistic person has great difficulty changing and repetitive behaviors even more pronounced. Causes: Autism has no fully known causes, but there is evidence that there is a genetic predisposition to it. Others report the supposed role of infections during pregnancy and even environmental factors, such as pollution, in the development of the disorder. Diagnosis: According to the DSM-V, ASD is diagnosed when there are three deficits in social communication and at least two in repetitive and restricted behavior. The diagnosis can only be made in children over three years of age.
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