World Autism Awareness Day 2022: Inclusive Quality Education for All

What is it?

Autism/ Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment brain disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped pattern of behavior. It typically affects a person's ability to communicate with others. ASD form of disease generally begins in childhood and last through adulthood. 

When is it Celebrated?

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is observed every year on 2nd April to raise public awareness of autism. First it was celebrated in 2008. WAAD highlights the need to help and improve the quality of life of those with autism so that they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of the society.

The focus of World Autism Awareness Day 2022 is: "Inclusive Quality Education for All"

What are the types?

Autistic Disorder/ "classic" autism: 

• Most general form of autism. 
• Typically have significant language interruption, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. 
• May also have intellectual disability.

Asperger Syndrome: 

• Have mild symptoms of autistic disorder. 
• Might have social challenges and unusual behaviors and interests. 
• Typically do not have problems with language or intellectual disability.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): 

• It is called as "atypical autism". 
• People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. 
• Usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder. 
• The symptoms might cause only social and communication challenges.

When it starts?

• ASDs generally starts at or before the age of 3.
• May last throughout a person's life, even though symptoms may improve over time. 
• May exhibit hints of future problems within the first few months of life. 
• May show symptoms until 24 months or later. 
• Some children seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then they stop gaining new skills, or they lose the skills they once had.

What are the symptoms?

A child with an ASD might:

• Does not react to his/her name by 12 months
• Does not play by 18 months
• Generally avoid eye contact and stay alone
• Also have difficulty in understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
• May show delayed speech and language skills
• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
• Give unrelated answers to questions
• Does not like even minor changes
• Have obsessive interests
• Some time they flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

What are the causes?

• The exact causes of ASD are not known. 
• Likely to be associated to genetics and environment factors.  
• Studies have also found irregularities in several regions of the brain. 
• Other studies suggest abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. 
• Could result from the disturbance of normal brain development early in foetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and that regulate how brain cells communicate with each other, possibly due to the influence of environmental factors on gene function. 

How to diagnose?

• Diagnosis can be difficult as there is no medical test, like a blood test. 
• Physician may look at the child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. 
• However, the children might receive an audiologic evaluation and a screening test for autism such as Checklist for autism in toddlers.

What are the managements?

• There is no cure for this disease. 
• But, it can be managed with the help of medications and specialist education. 
• Early intervention services can help in child's improvement. 
• These helps child talk, walk and interact with others. 
• Therefore, it is important to meet and talk to child's doctor as soon as possible.

References:

1. https://www.nhp.gov.in/disease/neurological/autism
2. https://www.nhp.gov.in/world-autism-awareness-day2021_pg#:~:text=World%20Autism%20Awareness%20Day%20(WAAD,raise%20public%20awareness%20of%20autism.
3. https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day
4. https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day
5. https://nationaltoday.com/world-autism-awareness-day/