WHAT IS AUTISM
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a known brain development condition that manifests itself as difficulty in communicating or socializing with others and can affect an individual and their family throughout their life.
It can be characterized through many facets, some of which may include: Lack of desire to interact with other people Display of erratic behavior that can seem hostile towards others Most commonly avoidance of eye contact when spoken to Display repetitive patterns of behavior
The term 'spectrum' reflects the wide variation in the challenges and strengths each child with this disorder possesses. Its most obvious features are almost visible between the ages of two and three. In some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.
According to the World Health Organization, one in every 160 children around the world has an autism spectrum disorder. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the United States of America is: In 2020, 1 in 54 children will have an autism spectrum disorder.
CAUSES OF AUTISM
From what we know now, there is no single cause of autism spectrum disorder. Research suggests that autism arises from the combined presence of these genetic, non-genetic, and environmental factors.It should be noted that the influence of these factors on the likelihood of developing autism does not make it a cause in itself. For example, it is possible to have some genetic changes associated with autism in non-affected people. Also, it is not necessary that someone's exposure to one of these influencing factors contribute to autism spectrum disorder, but it is likely that the vast majority will not be affected.
HEREDITARY FACTORS
Research shows that certain environmental influences may increase or reduce the likelihood of developing this disorder in individuals who have a genetic predisposition. More importantly, the increase or decrease of the risk factor remains small/weak in any of the following factors: The probability of infection increases when:
The risk of infection increases when:
The age of either or both parents.
Complications of pregnancy and childbirth (such as: the birth of a premature baby before 26 weeks, the birth of a baby with a birth weight less than the normal range, multiple pregnancies (twins or more...etc).
Pregnancy periods that are less than a year close.
Environmental factors
Research shows that certain environmental influences may increase or reduce the likelihood of developing this disorder in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Most importantly, an increase or decrease in a risk factor still has a small/weak effect on any of the following factors: The probability of infection increases when:
- The advanced age of both or one of the parents.
- Complications of pregnancy and childbirth (such as: giving birth to a premature baby before 26 weeks, giving birth to a baby with a weight less than normal, multiple pregnancies (twins or more... etc.).
- Approximate pregnancy periods of less than a year.
THE INCIDENCE OF INFECTION DECREASES WHEN TAKING PREGNANCY VITAMINS THAT CONTAIN FOLIC ACID BEFORE CONCEPTION, AT THE STAGE OF FERTILIZATION, AND DURING PREGNANCY.
VACCINATION EVERY FAMILY HAS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE OF BEING DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, WHICH FOR SOME COINCIDES WITH THE TIME THEIR CHILD RECEIVES VACCINATIONS. THEREFORE, RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED A LARGE STUDY IN THE LAST TWO DECADES TO BE ABLE TO VERIFY WHETHER THERE WAS A LINK BETWEEN CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, AND THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH WERE CLEAR, CONFIRMING THAT VACCINATIONS DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. BRAIN BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES
HOW CAN GENETIC AND NON-GENETIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER? MANY OF THESE FACTORS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO INFLUENCE IMPORTANT ASPECTS EARLY DURING BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. SOME SHOW AN EFFECT ON THE WAY NEURONS OR NEURONS COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER, AND OTHERS SHOW AN EFFECT ON THE WAY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BRAIN COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. RESEARCH CONTINUES TO EXPLORE THESE DIFFERENCES, WITH A FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THERAPIES AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.
ONE IN 59 CHILDREN SUFFERS FROM
40% OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK.
MALES ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE AUTISM THAN FEMALES.
THE ORIGINS OF THE TERM
The term 'autism' was first used in 1911 by psychiatrists. This phrase derives the word from the phrase separate from the others. The first person to identify autism as quantitative behavioral symptoms was a pediatric psychiatrist named 'Leo Kanner' (Leo Kanner).