National Autism Awareness Month
- Cecilia Brockman
- Apr 12, 2019
- 2 min read
Definition: Autism spectrum disorders, is a diversity of complex disorders in the brain development. This disorder is characterized by pervasive and usually a severe impairment of reciprocal social interaction skills, communication deviance, and restricted stereotypical behavioral patterns. Autistic Disorder, known as classic Autism, is the more severe version of ASD; As there are, other conditions along the spectrum including: Aspergers Syndrom, Rett’s Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. These are much milder versions of the disorder.
This month of April it is National Autism Awareness Month which an annual celebration held by various Autism support organizations by Autism Speaks and Autism Society. They hold these celebrations to help show awareness, acceptance, and to draw attention to those who are diagnosed by Autism yearly.
The cause for Autism can be from Genetics and Environmental Factors. While Genetics is the DNA make-up it can include:
Children who have Autism have a Relative with Autism or Autistic traits
Sharing Genetic Traits with other Mental disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Depression. Suggesting that they share the same common inherited genetic variations
People who are affected have also shown several regions of the brain to be affected
People who are affected also show abnormal levels of several Neurotransmitters in the brain
Having these underlying Abnormalities in the variation of the condition of Autism can result in the disruption of neurodevelopment early in fetal development caused by a defective gene.
There are various causes of Environmental Factors that are non genetic stressed appearance that can cause a child to develop Autism which can include events that happen during and after birth.
The age of the Parent at conception can give the baby a higher chance of having Autism. The older that father is the higher the chance of the baby being born with Autism
The presences of a maternal illness during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes, Infection)
Complications during birth (Deprivation of Oxygen to the Brain)
The mother not taking her prenatal vitamins that contain Folic Acid or not eating a diet that contains 600 micrograms of Folic Acid daily
Having the Pregnancies too close together
While having Autism can cause a variety of issues in Society challenges and Communication Difficulties. Having a repetitive schedule for the child or adult who is affected will help form a liking in numbers, science topics, and dates. Although there is no cure for Autism there is various treatment options and precautions that can be taken.
The Medication that can help various things that come up with having Autism are the following:
Antipsychotics (Haloperidol, Risperidone) for behavioral issues that may come up
Anticonvulsants to help with seizures or epilepsy
Anti-Anxiety medication to help with anxiety
Psychoactives or non-psychotic which helps with anger, aggression, and other mood swings
For more information about Autism you can visit these site to gain more information that I was unable to provide.
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