Do you know what causes Autism?

Although scientists are still probing for a perfect answer to queries such as,‘what causes Autism?' There are several factors that have been identified as being the main cause for the onset of neuro-development disorders. The treatment for Autism mostly depends on the type of symptoms that are seen in the patients.

Millions of children all around the globe are diagnosed with autism every year. It is a term used to describe a number of problems that occur due to functional damage to certain parts of the brain. The signs and symptoms may also vary between different individuals. It is important to know more about this condition and learn how to identify the early signs of Autism, especially if you are the parent of a child affected with Autism.

The onset of Autism is one of the most difficult times for the family of the affected child. It can be a confusing situation, as people may lack the knowledge about this condition. This tends to leave many unanswered questions in the minds of the parents and caretakers of the children with autism.

What causes Autism?

Research is still not able to pinpoint the exact reason which initiates the onset of Autism. Still, intense research and studies have discovered that Autism occurs when the normal brain structures begin to malfunction.

Although there could be no physical and visible damage to the brain structures in the affected part of the brain,there are noticeable functional abnormalities in it. Autism is known to affect various parts of the brain, which could include the medial temporal cortex, frontal lobe and the cerebellum.

The malfunction of the medial temporal cortex in Autism can result in problems with social interaction skills, learning, and comprehension, along with memory and abstract thinking. The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain. When this region of the brain is affected, it can have an impact on behavior, creativity and problem solving skills. The cerebellum, if it gets affected, causes problems with coordination and balance, speech skills, and the development of normal muscle tone. The symptoms are categorised according to the areas of the brain which malfunction.

How can you detect the early signs of Autism?

The early signs of Autism can be difficult to detect or perceive in some cases. As Autism affects different parts of the brain in each child, it can often be confused with other similar conditions.

However, there are certain distinct signs of Autism that you should look for to identify the early signs of Autism:

Social interaction skills

The child may find it difficult to:

• 1.Use non-verbal communication cues (facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, etc.)
• 2. Have a normal relationship with their peers
• 3. Find anything interesting, amusing and also does not share strong emotions with others
• 4. Show empathy and are often unable to understand the feelings of the people around

Communication skills

When Autism affects the cerebellum, these signs are detected in the child:

• Slower learning of speech
• 1. Difficulty in initiating and continuing conversations
• 2. Repeated use of certain words and phrases (echolalia)
• 3. Difficulty in comprehending the response or instructions given by others

Activeness

The child affected with Autism often shows lethargic and uninterested behaviour, such as:

• 1. Abnormal attention to a particular part of the toy instead of the entire toy
• 2. Obsessed with a particular routine
• 3. Obsessive and repetitive behaviour

These are some of the commonly seen early signs of Autism that a parent should look out for. If any of the above mentioned signs are noticed, it is advisable to take the child to an experienced paediatrician who will refer the right treatment or therapy.

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