Autism is a complex neurological disorder that severely impairs communicative, cognitive and social functions in patients. ASD begins before the age of 3 and continues throughout the life of the person, although the symptoms may improve with proper treatment during the initial stage. With apt awareness and appropriate support, children with ASD can gradually attain their incredible potential.
Many hospitals work to spread the important facts about autism to the families and caregivers and provide instruction in caring and handling patients with love and understanding. Given are some of the autism facts that help to diagnose the disorder.
Defining Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a set of neurological ailments that affect a patient’s social, communicative and cognitive functions.
- Patients with ASD demonstrate repetitive behaviour (both verbal and actions),stubbornness, resistance to unexpected changes and hyper aggression that may instigate self-injury.
- 30% to 50%of patients experience recurring seizures.
Patients often face difficulty in showing their social, responsive, communication skills and at times involve in monotonous acts and dislike a change in their daily routine. Signs of ASD get visible during early childhood.
Some of the interesting facts about Autism:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders are more common among boys than girls.
- Environmental factors are suspected of triggering predisposed genes to mutate and cause autism. Some of the other factors include certain harmful drugs, extensive alcohol & drug abuse during pregnancy and exposure to hazardous metals, chemicals or antibiotics.
- A decreased in vitamin D level could also trigger ASD.
- It is also associated with the family history of hysterical depression.
- It is more commonly found in children than infantile diabetes and cancer.
- Studies have revealed that the area of the brain, called amygdala is 13% larger in kids with autism than those without it.
- Premature deliveries could be the cause of ASD.
- Young patients are less sensitive to pain but may cringe with loud sound, touch, or are reluctant to a hug or cuddle.
- Children may experience conditions such as X-syndrome, epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome and learning disabilities.
- Children with autism have a persistent constipation problem and eating issues.
- Known as a spectrum disorder, every child with ASD faces different challenges and needs.
- Mothers with diseases like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. have three times greater risk of giving birth to a child with autism.
- There is no complete cure for ASD, but with several interventions, like stem cell treatment, a patient can regain important skills to improve his life.
A stem cell treatment for autism at hospitals such as NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute in Mumbai has shown promising results. On comparing the PET & CT scans, performed before therapy and those post treatment, confirm a balancing effect of normalization in brain metabolism. The patients exhibit normal behaviour, are more social and have shown an improvement in their focus. Apart from stem cell treatment for Autism, occupational therapies like speech therapy, aquatic therapy, physiotherapy, etc., together with a special diet plan have proved to be effective for patients with autism.
Therefore, early intervention and proper treatment at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute can improve the underlying brain development and provide an independent survival ability to the kids with special needs.
