What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – previously referred to as autism is a neuro-developmental disorder thought to affect 168 million people worldwide. It is a broad range of conditions that are characterised by developmental challenges, such as irregular social skills, repetitive behaviours, as well as speech and nonverbal communication. First documented in 1911 by German psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, it was initially thought to be a symptom of the most severe cases of schizophrenia.

In the 2000 revision of the 1994 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSV-IV), it was categorised as a spectrum disorder, as opposed to a singular diagnosis with rigid symptoms and characteristics. In other words, autism is not a singular type of disorder but is made up of many subtypes, generally influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. As autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with ASD has a unique set of strengths and challenges. Their ability to learn, think and solve problems ranges from highly skilled to severely challenged and some may live very independently, while others require a significant amount of care and support.

Although some causes can be pinpointed as genetic, others are not yet known, adding to the complexity of the disorder. Several factors may influence the development of ASD, and can be accompanied by the following:

• Sensory sensitivities
• Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
• Seizures (such as epilepsy)
• Sleep disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

It is important to note that ASD cannot be cured, but rather managed by treating its accompanying conditions, either with medication, psychological or occupational therapy.

Signs of ASD usually appear in children by the age of two or three but in some cases, developmental delays can appear even earlier, leading to a diagnosis as early as 18 months. Males are also four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than females. Research, however, shows that early intervention leads to more positive outcomes later in life.

How is ASD diagnosed?

First and foremost, it is crucial that one understands the complex nature of the disorder before seeking a diagnosis. There are many characteristics or signs and just because a child (or adult) displays a number of these, it does not mean they have autism spectrum disorder. All children develop at different paces and have unique personalities so trying to isolate a single characteristic is futile.

A diagnosis of ASD is developed when two key areas of development are significantly impacted: social interaction and communication. Additionally, repetitive behaviours and movements (sometimes known as “stimming”), as well as restricted interests are common symptoms. Individuals with ASD have been thought to lack the ability to understand others’ perspectives or show empathy, although this has been widely debated. Communication challenges range from no use of language to difficulty in participating in social conversations, while repetitive behaviours may be patterns of motor movements or “scripting”, or the verbal repetition of familiar phrases that offer an element of comfort in social situations. These repetitive movements can also include unusual sensory stimulations, such as fiddling with and spinning objects. Some may have similar interests to neurotypical people, such as aviation or aerospace, but have an unusually focused or extensive knowledge of the subject.

Conclusion

Due to its complexity and lack of awareness about it, autism spectrum disorder is a severely misunderstood condition. In addition, its depiction in films and television, has also led to a misconception of its presentation and the treatment of those who have it. As there is no cure, people should rather strive for the acceptance of human beings on the spectrum and encourage a more supportive society in which they live and thrive.