autism

By definition the denotes autism a profound developmental disorder that affects children of different ages. An autistic disorder severely restricts the development of personality.

What is autism

To date, the underlying causes of autism are not clearly understood. However, it is considered certain that the corresponding biological or genetic factors play an essential role.
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There are different forms of autism that differ in the course and severity of the symptoms.

The early childhood autism, the so-called Kanner syndrome, is one of the most famous forms. If autism is spoken of in everyday life, this form of autism is usually meant.

Against this Asperger syndrome as well as the Atypical autism a milder autistic disorder Rett Syndrome is a profound developmental disorder with autistic features. However, the spectrum of possible autism disorders is very broad.

However, all disorders have one thing in common, namely that certain personality traits, such as difficulties in establishing relationships with people, impaired language development as well as restricted activities and interests and repetitive and stereotypical behavioral patterns are the same in people with autism.

causes

To date, the underlying causes of autism are not clearly understood. However, it is considered certain that the corresponding biological or genetic factors play an essential role. Close relatives of people with autism also often show autistic symptoms.

The so-called twin studies provide further evidence of a genetic cause. If one twin child shows autistic symptoms, the other twin child also develops autistic symptoms more than average. In addition, healthy siblings of autistic people often show autistic abnormalities. Compared to other children, mental and linguistic development is usually restricted.

It is believed that four to ten genetic factors are involved in the development of autism. This also explains the different forms of autism. For example, it was possible to find out the genetic cause of Rett syndrome, which only affects girls, because the MeCP2 gene on the X chromosome has been changed in girls.

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Symptoms, ailments & signs

The spectrum of autism is wide, not all sufferers are completely trapped in their own world. While some autistic people are just shy of contact and therefore have difficulties in dealing with their fellow human beings, others stand out due to their stereotypical behavior, do not speak and are dependent on support or even care for their entire life.

An autistic disorder does not necessarily indicate a mental impairment. The spectrum ranges from severe mental weakness to an extremely pronounced partial ability, also called island talent. The best known is the so-called photographic memory.

However, many autistic people have obvious similarities. Due to their different sensory perception, they usually experience their environment as unstructured chaos. Loud noises, bright lights or spontaneous hugs can trigger fear reactions and lead to an escape reflex. As a rule, autistic people limit themselves to a single area of ​​interest, preferring uniform, repetitive processes.

This is also reflected in the language, which is mostly limited to the mechanical repetition of words and sentences. An autistic person's inability to understand other people's facial expressions and body language may hide the feelings of even close family members. So it is impossible for many of those affected to find their way around in a larger group and to react appropriately to their requirements.

Diagnosis & course

It is not easy to make a diagnosis of autism, because not every baby who is not interested in their environment is also autistic. Some children in kindergarten or school also want to be to themselves without having autism.

For example, anxiety disorders can also be the cause of such behavior. If there is a suspicion, a child and adolescent psychiatrist will usually ask the parents about the typical behavior of the child. There are also ready-made questionnaires for making a diagnosis. Careful observation of the child is also useful in making a diagnosis.

Everything together helps the doctor to get a very comprehensive picture. Other illnesses, such as psychoses or intellectual disabilities, should also be excluded. Investigations in the areas of perception, motor skills, social behavior, intelligence and language can provide more precise information about the weaknesses and strengths of the child.

Autism manifests itself in different stages, which, however, do not have to occur equally in all autistic people. For example, Kanner syndrome starts in infancy and Asberger syndrome symptoms only show up in kindergarten or primary school age. The Rett syndrome begins between 6 months and 4 years of age, with symptoms of a severe developmental disorder occurring here.

There is no uniform course in autism. In addition, it always depends on which form of autism is present and how strong it is. For example, people with Asperger's Syndrome in adulthood can often organize their everyday lives and even have a job. In contrast, people with Rett Syndrome need tremendous support in leading their lives.

In addition, there is a progressive course of Rett syndrome and those affected will increasingly need care in the course of their lives. Often times, autistic people with retarded mental development live in a social institution.

When should you go to the doctor?

Parents or educators often suspect that symptoms from the field of autism spectrum disorder are in the first few years in kindergarten. But it also happens that schoolchildren, adolescents and even adults with abnormal behavior repeatedly have problems and cause offense, but a diagnosis has never been made.

The earlier a specialist diagnosis is made in connection with autism, the sooner supportive therapies can be used. In many patients with autism spectrum disorder, these can provide good symptom control and thus more participation in social life.

If autism is suspected, a visit to the doctor makes sense in the kindergarten area if psychological stress arises. Many symptoms that indicate a disorder from the field of autism are still very unspecific, especially in young children. However, when school is approaching and problematic social situations arise repeatedly, a comprehensive diagnosis is indicated.

Although this cannot "cure" autism either, behavior therapy and, if necessary, support in everyday life from, for example, integration helpers can bring significant advantages for those affected.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The therapy for autism depends on the person affected, the individual limitations and strengths. A cure for autism is not possible and will restrict those affected in social life for a lifetime.

The therapy pursues the goals of help and support as well as breaking down the repetitive stereotypical behavior. Educators, psychiatrists and psychologists try to do this with different methods. Furthermore, the family caring for the person concerned should also be supported by various state institutions.

A reliable and effective drug therapy for the treatment of autism does not yet exist. However, neuroleptics or benzodiazepines can be used to help limit severe tension or self-harming behavior. Some autistic people have epileptic seizures, which can also be treated with medication.

Outlook & forecast

Many factors play a role in the prospect and prognosis of disorders from the autism spectrum. For example, the degree of the disorder, a possible decrease or increase in intelligence, integration into the environment and accompanying diseases must be considered.

In children, the full spectrum of behavioral disorder is usually reached in kindergarten or preschool age. Problems can subside during the first few years of school.

Autism is associated with a lasting positive change in behavior in around half of those affected in adolescence and adulthood. In the other half, the disorder stagnates or even worsens.

Overall, disorders from the autism spectrum offer no prospect of a cure. In most cases, however, an improvement is possible if supportive therapy is started early enough. This aims to ensure that those affected learn independence within the scope of their possibilities and ways of communication and self-realization are opened up.

Such therapy should be started in early childhood. The prognosis for a significant improvement in condition is significantly better in autistic people without intellectual disabilities and people with Asperger's syndrome than in severely restricted autistic people.

It should also be noted that many autistic people have a higher accident risk and a higher risk of self-harm, which often means that immediate physical integrity is linked to the quality of care.

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Aftercare

Follow-up care in the classic sense cannot be carried out in the case of autism, as it is an innate neurodiversity and therefore cannot be cured. However, since therapy can be used to learn how to deal with the handicap, supportive services that are supposed to maintain the status quo after the end of therapy are advisable in most cases.

This support usually takes the form of assisted living - either on an outpatient basis by a caregiver who accompanies the autistic person with purchases, visits to the authorities and visits to the doctor, or in the form of inpatient accommodation in a care facility.

Which support service is the right one depends heavily on the individual client. Some autistic people need their personal freedom and autonomy and are therefore unsuitable for living groups in which they share rooms with other autistic people. On the contrary, other autistic people are dependent on very intensive care, which an outpatient care service cannot provide.

The personal bond with a supervisor can also be a decisive factor. In this case, it is advisable to employ a nurse over the personal budget. Particularly dependent and easily overwhelmed autistic people also have a legal guardian who can regulate important matters such as administrative procedures on behalf of the patient.

You can do that yourself

People who suffer from autism tend to perceive everyday life differently than healthy people. Since autistic people prefer a well-structured daily routine, regular routines should be part of the agenda. The sequence of activities should be determined in advance so that the unforeseen can be avoided. The routine in the daily routine represents a personal security for the person concerned and contributes to the fact that life is experienced more pleasant.

Most autistic people reject closeness and physical contact, so they should be given enough time and space for personal time out. Autism is usually accompanied by an insecurity about life. In order to stabilize the personal insecurity, the actions of autistic children and adults should be confirmed again and again. Autistic people should work in occupations that match the specific abilities of the person.

People with autism often have to deal with overstimulation. In order to minimize this, it is important that those affected recognize their own needs and set limits. Artistic activity often has a positive influence on the autistic. In music or art, those affected can express themselves and develop their sensual perception. Massage therapy can provide relaxation and help those affected to feel better.