The autistic spectrum is a group of disorders that are characterized by congenital disorders of social interactions. Unfortunately, such pathologies are often diagnosed in children. In this case, it is extremely important to determine the presence of a problem in time, because the sooner the child receives the necessary help, the greater the possibility of successful correction.
Autistic spectrum: what is it?
The diagnosis of "autism" today is widely heard. But not everyone understands what this term means and what to expect from an autistic child. Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by a lack of social interaction, difficulties in contact with other people, inadequate reactions in communication, limited interest and a tendency to stereotype (repetitive actions, patterns).
According to statistics, about 2% of children suffer from such disorders. Moreover, autism is diagnosed 4 times less in girls. Over the past two decades, cases of such disorders have become much more frequent, although it is still unclear whether the pathology really becomes more widespread or whether the growth is associated with a change in diagnostic criteria (several years ago, patients with autism were often given other diagnoses, for example, schizophrenia).
Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Unfortunately, the development of the autistic spectrum, the reasons for its appearance and the mass of other facts today remain unclear. Scientists were able to identify several risk factors, although there is still no complete picture of the mechanism of development of pathology.
- There is a factor of heredity. According to statistics, among the relatives of a child with autism there are at least 3-6% of people with the same disorders. These may be the so-called microsymptoms of autism, for example, stereotyped behavior, reduced need for social communication. Scientists even managed to isolate the autism gene, although its presence is not a 100% guarantee of the development of abnormalities in the child. It is believed that autistic disorders develop in the presence of a complex of different genes and the simultaneous exposure to factors of the external or internal environment.
- The reasons include structural and functional disorders of the brain. Thanks to studies, it was possible to find out that in children with a similar diagnosis, the frontal parts of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and median temporal lobe are often changed or reduced . It is these parts of the nervous system that are responsible for attention, speech, emotions (in particular, the emotional reaction when performing social actions), thinking, and learning abilities.
- It was noticed that quite often pregnancy proceeds with complications. For example, there was a viral lesion of the body (measles, rubella), severe toxicosis, eclampsia, and other pathologies accompanied by fetal hypoxia and organic brain damage. On the other hand, this factor is not universal - many children after normal pregnancy and childbirth develop quite normally.
Early signs of autism
Can autism be diagnosed at an early age? An autism spectrum disorder is not so common in infancy. Nevertheless, parents should pay attention to some alarming signals:
- It is difficult to make eye contact with a child. He does not look in the eye. There is no attachment to mother or father - the baby does not cry when they leave, does not pull the handles. It is possible that he does not like touch, hugs.
- The kid prefers one toy, and his attention is completely absorbed by it.
- There is a delay in the development of speech - by 12-16 months the child does not make characteristic sounds, individual small words do not repeat.
- Children with autism spectrum disorders rarely smile.
- Some children react violently to external stimuli, such as sounds or light. This may be due to hypersensitivity.
- The child behaves inappropriately in relation to other children, does not seek to communicate or play with them.
It is worth saying right away that these signs are not absolute characteristics of autism. It often happens that up to 2-3 years old children develop normally, and then regression occurs, they lose their previously acquired skills. If there is any suspicion, it is better to consult a specialist - only a doctor can conduct the correct diagnosis.
Symptoms: what should parents pay attention to?
The autistic spectrum in children can manifest itself in different ways. To date, several criteria have been identified that must be paid attention to:
- The main symptom of autism is a violation of social interactions. People with this diagnosis cannot recognize non-verbal signals, do not feel the state and do not distinguish the emotions of those around them, which causes difficulties in communication. Often there are problems with eye contact. Such children, even growing up, do not show much interest in new people, do not participate in games. Despite the attachment to parents, it is difficult for the baby to show his feelings.
- Speech problems are also present. The child begins to speak much later, or there is no speech at all (depending on the type of violation). Verbal autists often have a small vocabulary, confuse pronouns, time, word endings, etc. Children do not understand jokes, comparisons, perceive everything literally. There is echolalia.
- The autistic spectrum in children can be manifested by uncharacteristic gestures, stereotypic movements. At the same time, it is difficult for them to combine conversation with gestures.
- The characteristic features of children with autism spectrum disorders are repeated patterns of behavior. For example, a child quickly gets used to walking one way and refuses to turn onto another street or go to a new store. So-called “rituals” are often formed, for example, first you need to put on your right sock and only then left, or first you need to throw sugar in a cup and only then pour water, but in no case the other way around. Any deviation from the scheme worked out by the child may be accompanied by a loud protest, fits of anger, aggression.
- A child can become attached to one toy or non-game item. The kid’s games are often deprived of the plot, for example, he does not play fights with toy soldiers, does not build castles for the princess, does not roll cars around the house.
- Children with autistic disorders may suffer from hypersensitivity or hypersensitivity. For example, there are children who react intensely to sound, and, as already adults with a similar diagnosis note, loud sounds not only frightened them, but caused severe pain. The same may apply to kinesthetic sensitivity - the baby does not feel the cold, or, conversely, cannot walk barefoot through the grass, as his sensations scare him.
- Half of the children with a similar diagnosis have particular eating habits - they categorically refuse to eat any foods (for example, red ones), prefer one particular dish.
- It is generally accepted that autists have a certain genius. This statement is incorrect. Highly functional autists have an intelligence level that is usually average or slightly above normal. But with low-functional disorders, developmental delay is quite possible. Only 5-10% of people with a similar diagnosis really have an ultrahigh level of intelligence.
Children with autism do not necessarily have all of the above symptoms - each child has its own set of disorders, with varying degrees of severity.
Classification of Autistic Disorders (Nikolskaya Classification)
Autism spectrum disorders are incredibly diverse. Moreover, the study of the disease is still actively ongoing, therefore, there are many classification schemes. Among the teachers and other specialists, Nikolskaya’s classification is popular, it’s what it takes into account when drawing up correction schemes. The autistic spectrum can be divided into four groups:
- The first group is characterized by the most profound and complex violations. Children with a similar diagnosis are not able to serve themselves, they completely lack the need for interaction with others. Nonverbal patients.
- In children of the second group, one can notice the presence of severe restrictions in behavior patterns. Any changes in the scheme (for example, a mismatch in the usual daily routine or setting) can trigger an attack of aggression and a breakdown. The child is quite open, but his speech is simple, built on echolalia. Children from this group are able to reproduce household skills.
- The third group is characterized by more complex behavior: children can be very passionate about any subject, giving out flows of encyclopedic knowledge during a conversation. On the other hand, it is difficult for a child to build a two-way dialogue, and the knowledge about the world around is fragmentary.
- Children of the fourth group are already prone to non-standard and even spontaneous behavior, but in the team they are shy and shy, they make contact hard and do not take initiative in communicating with other children. May have difficulty concentrating.
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome is a form of highly functional autism. This violation is different from the classical form. For example, a child has a minimal delay in speech development. Such children easily make contact, can maintain a conversation, although it is more like a monologue. The patient can spend hours talking about things that interest him, and stopping him is quite difficult.
Children are not against playing with their peers, but, as a rule, they do it non-traditionally. By the way, there is physical clumsiness. Often guys with Asperger Syndrome have extraordinary intelligence and a good memory, especially when it comes to things that interest them.
Modern diagnostics
Autistic spectrum is very important to diagnose on time. The sooner the presence of violations in the child is determined, the faster it will be possible to begin the correction. Early intervention in the development of the baby increases the chance of successful socialization.
If the child has the above symptoms, you should contact a pediatric psychiatrist or neuropsychiatrist. As a rule, children are observed in different situations: based on the symptoms present, a specialist can conclude that the child has autism spectrum disorders. Consultations with other doctors, for example, an otolaryngologist, are also necessary to check the patient’s hearing. An electroencephalogram makes it possible to determine the presence of epileptic foci, which are often paired with autism. In some cases, genetic tests are prescribed, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (allows you to study the structure of the brain, determine the presence of neoplasms and changes).
Drug treatment for autism
Autism is not amenable to medical correction. Drug therapy is indicated only if other disorders occur. For example, in some cases, the doctor may prescribe a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Such drugs are used as antidepressants, but in the case of an autistic child, they can relieve increased anxiety, improve behavior, and improve learning. Nootropic drugs help to normalize blood circulation in the brain, improve concentration.
In the presence of epilepsy, anticonvulsants are used. Psychotropic drugs are used if the patient has strong, uncontrolled attacks of aggression. Again, all the above drugs are quite powerful and the likelihood of adverse reactions when the dose is exceeded is very high. Therefore, in no case should they be used arbitrarily.
Corrective work with children with autism spectrum disorders
What to do if a child has been diagnosed with autism? The autism spectrum correction program is compiled individually. The child needs help from a group of specialists, in particular, taking a session with a psychologist, speech therapist and a special teacher, sessions with a psychiatrist, exercises with a physiotherapist (with severe clumsiness and lack of sensation of one's own body). Correction is slow, lesson after lesson. Children are taught to feel shapes and sizes, to find correspondences, to feel interconnected, to participate, and then initiate a story game. Children with autism disorders are shown classes in social skills groups, where children learn to play together, follow social standards and help develop specific patterns of behavior in society.
The main task of a speech therapist is to develop speech and phonemic hearing, increase vocabulary, and learn how to write short and then long sentences. Specialists also try to teach the child to distinguish between the speech tones and emotions of another person. An adapted autism spectrum program is also needed in kindergartens and schools. Unfortunately, not all educational institutions (especially state ones) can provide qualified specialists for working with autistic people.
Pedagogy and training
The main objective of the correction is to teach the child social interaction, the development of the ability to arbitrary spontaneous behavior, the manifestation of the initiative. Today, an inclusive education system is popular, which suggests that a child with autism spectrum disorders will be educated in the environment of normotypic children. Of course, such an “implementation” is taking place gradually. In order to bring a child into the team, experienced teachers are needed, and sometimes a tutor (a person with special education and skills who accompanies the child at school, adjusts his behavior and monitors the relationship in the team).
It is likely that children with such disorders will need training in specialized specialized schools. Nevertheless, there are students with autism spectrum disorders and in general education institutions. It all depends on the condition of the child, the severity of symptoms, his ability to learn.
Autism is considered an incurable disease today. Forecasts are not favorable for everyone. Children with a violation of the autistic spectrum, but with an average level of intelligence and speech (develops up to 6 years) with proper training and correction may well become independent in the future. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.