Autism Spectrum

Autism Spectrum covers a wide range of psychological conditions. It is also known as Autism Spectrum disorders or ASD, Autism Spectrum Conditions or ASC, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders or PDDs.

Autism Spectrum Disorders can manifest in varying degrees. It impairs feeling, language, thinking, and also how one relates to others socially. It is usually noticeable in early childhood at approximately 3 to 4 years of age, but can sometimes be discovered as early as one year old. Its lesser form is known as Asperger syndrome. There are two other disorders, although extremely rare, that is known as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett Syndrome.

The first sign of this type of disorder is noticed very early on by some parents. The parents will get a feeling of their child behaving differently than other children. The child does not make eye contact with others or respond to them. They are alert, but focus on certain things with an abnormal intensity that is unusual.

Some children develop at a perfectly normal pace and then slowly lose those same abilities along the way taking a backward development. Some children babble instead of speak or do not talk altogether. They are unsure of how to play with their toys or line them up.

Children with Autism may not appear to hear stimulation from their environment, possibly because they are so intently focused on one particular thing. They have trouble in social situations and prefer to be alone. They seem to be confused with gestures others make and do not pick up on social cues as one normally would. Behaviors can be repetitive in the autistic child, such as running around in a circle or flapping their arms. All of these symptoms can range from very severe to very mild.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder require a great deal of attention and therapy to hopefully come to terms with dealing with this disorder. Many parents of autistic children will separate because of the emotional intensity and strain of this disorder. Because they are dealing with their child’s needs there is nothing left to give to each other.

Treatment comes in the form of therapy, intensive therapy on a daily basis. Sometimes medications are used to help with the behavioral problems. Some children with autism have been helped through special dietary measures.

As there is no cure for this disorder parents pull at strings to help their children at least cope in this world with their disorder. Depression, frustration, and hopelessness plague the parents of a child with autism. For the love of their children they press on and do not give up in the dreams for their future. A great deal of patience and a whole lot of love empowers these parents of autistic children.

RESOURCES

National Institute of Mental Health: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism Spectrum Disorder