Diagnosis and Symptoms of Autism

"Your child has autism"

Many parents who first hear the words "Your child has autism" are shocked and dismayed.

While we have all heard about autism, many of us have only vague ideas of what the diagnosis means and what can be done to help children and adults lead as normal a life as possible.

The truth is that autism, being a spectrum disorder, affects different people in different ways and no two autistic children are exactly alike. There are also many different theories about what causes autism and what can be done to treat it.

 This makes things very confusing for parents who are struggling to come to terms with what is best for their child.

Diagnosis and symptoms of autism

Autism is a neurological disorder and one of five developmental disorders classified under the heading of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) is made up of 5 different disorders:

list of 5 items

• Autism

• Asperger's Disorder

• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

• Rett's Disorder

• PDD - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD - NOS)

list end

It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million Americans, including children and adults, may have autism. There are currently no medical tests which can diagnose autism.

Diagnosis is usually based on careful observation as well as information provided by parents and other caregivers on the child's behavior, communication, social interaction and developmental levels.

There are also a number of screening tests or questionnaires which can be performed, including the CARS rating (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) and CHAT (Checklist for Autism in Toddlers). Diagnosis can be made by Pediatricians, Psychiatrists and Clinical Psychologists or by a multi-disciplinary team.

In order to make a formal diagnosis of Autism, the following symptoms must be present (DSM lV-TR)

Impairment in social interaction

list of 4 items

1. Lack of eye contact, facial expression and social gestures

2. Failure to develop peer relationships

3. Does not seek out social interaction

4. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

list end

Impairment in communication skills

list of 4 items

1. Language delay or absence

2. Inability to initiate and sustain conversation

3. Stereotyped or 'strange' use of language

4. Lack of make believe or social play

list end

Restricted, stereotyped and repetitive behavior, interests and activities

list of 3 items

1. Abnormally intense preoccupation with certain activities or areas of interest

2. Inflexible insistence on certain nonfunctional rituals or routines

3. Stereotyped and repetitive movements e.g. hand flapping, preoccupation with parts of objects

list end

To make the diagnosis at least 6 of the above must be noted, as well as developmental delays in at least ONE of the following areas:

list of 3 items

1. Delayed or abnormal social interaction

2. Delay or abnormal use of language in social interaction

3. Delay or absence in symbolic or imaginative play

list end

The delays or impairment described above can vary from mild to severe. Remember that many healthy children will display some of the above symptoms. This does not make them autistic!

It is important that the full cluster of symptoms described above be present. Some of these symptoms may be present from early infancy, but usually become more obvious by 2 - 4 years of age.

What causes Autism?

There is no known single cause of autism. It is known that autism is a neurological disorder and that there may be differences in the shape and the structure of the brain of autistic children as opposed to non-autistic children. 

It is thought that, in certain cases, there might be a genetic predisposition to autism, which may run in families. Whether the predisposition to autism is genetic or not, there may be several 'triggers' which can precipitate the disorder.

These could include problems in pregnancy and birth, viral infections, exposure to certain environmental chemicals or pollutants, digestive abnormalities or even allergies to certain foods (e.g. milk and dairy products).

There are also suggestions that autism may be caused by a reaction to childhood vaccines. Obviously more research is needed in this area.

Natural alternatives

Herbal and homeopathic remedies can be viable alternatives to the synthetic drugs and may be just as effective, with far fewer risks and side effects.

Depending on the symptoms that need treatment, there are several other remedies to assist in an overall treatment plan.

Remedies may be used independently or in combination.

Herbal remedy for depression, mood swings, repetitive behaviors, irritability, and aggression

Herbal remedy for anxiety

 Tranquilizing drugs may be very effective in calming autistic children and adults, who can easily become highly distressed and volatile over seemingly small changes in their environment. However, many tranquilizing drugs are also addictive

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Herbal remedies for ADHD, hyperactivity and concentration

There are two highly effective remedies For the treatment of hyperactivity, restlessness and lack of concentration,

BrightSpark

BrightSpark is a safe and effective homeopathic formula.

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 http://www.nativeremedies.com/focus_for_adhd.shtml?img=4&kbid=3948">

Herbal remedy for tantrums

Many Autism children have violent tantrums, sometimes seemingly without cause.

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