Autism Awareness Day: How early diagnosis and support from parents can change lives

Hyderabad: Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Autism exists on a spectrum, which implies that it presents differently depending on the person.

Some autistic people may need significant support in daily life, while others may need minimal or occasional support. Many autistic people have unique strengths such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, creative thinking or extraordinary memory capacity.

April 2 is Autism Awareness Day, when several awareness campaigns promote acceptance and understanding of autism.

How to diagnose autism?

Dr Srikanth Domala, a paediatric neurologist at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Vijayawada, explained ways to identify autism among children.

“Autism signs are usually seen between 1-2 years of age. These include the child not making eye contact, not responding when called by name, playing alone and not interacting with other children or being hyperactive throughout the day, and sleeping late night or getting up in the middle of the night and crying for 20 to 30 minutes,” he said.

He suggested parents who suspect their child might be expressing autistic behaviour visit a doctor to get a complete diagnosis.

What is the reason for autism?

As per the latest scientific research, a comprehensive reason has not been identified in around 80 per cent of the children with autism with blood and urine tests and brain scans showing normal activity.

“However, in around 20 per cent of cases, research has shown there are few genes which are linked to autism. Ongoing research is expected to give answers in another 10 to 15 years,” Dr Srikanth said.

Are brain scans different in autistic children?

In children with autism, MRI and CT scans of the brain are usually normal. The structure of the brain in autistic children would appear normal, similar to their peers.

Dr Srikanth said, “The issues are in the brain networks that affect functioning which cannot be seen on brain scans.”

In children with autism, there is a 5 per cent risk of seizures/epilepsy. EEG results may be abnormal in up to 5 per cent of kids with autism. EEG need not be done routinely for all children, but children at risk need to undergo EEG, as per the diagnosis of the pediatric neurologist.

Treatment and cure for autism

The primary treatment for autism is therapy based on the individual requirement of each child. “The medications and other supplements have a minimal role, and there is no evidence that dietary restrictions can help manage autism in children,” Dr Srikanth said.

Autism, being a neurodevelopmental disorder, requires therapy from the early age of 2-3 years to show effective results.

Possibilities for improvement

Up to 60 per cent of children with autism who undergo consistent therapy and regular assessment with the committed support of families have shown improvement.

“Such children, after frequent consultations every 2 to 3 months, will be able to speak and communicate well with others and be able to complete their primary and secondary school education along with other children,” Dr Srikanth said.