Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder, sometimes called Autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD. Autism occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Experts estimate that 1 out of 88 children is diagnosed with Autism by the age of 8, with Males being four times more likely to have an ASD than females.
Symptoms include lack of Social Interaction, Lack of Communication, Delayed or Unusual speech, Lack of Eye contact, Limited interest in Play or Inappropriate Play, Stereotyped behaviors/repetitive movement (body rocking and hand flapping), Uneven gross/ fine motor skills and unresponsiveness to people.
About 20 to 30 percent of children with an ASD develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.
There is no cure for Autism. The treatment, however, combines Educational and behavioral interventions (counseling) with medications. Symptoms improve with treatment and age.
Seek your physician to discuss and evaluate symptoms exhibited by your child.
References:
