Dr Anjana Kannankara
When the world commemorated one more World Autism Awareness Week, let us genuinely undertake our duty as fellow social beings towards those people around us who have been living a less colourful life after being diagnosed autistic. It’s worth taking some time out to pay silent regards to their strong-willed mothers who never complain but longingly look forward to seeing their children carry out their day to day routine independently. We must imbibe a couple of lessons from those ‘superhuman souls’ who have not broken down at the cruel twist of fate but have risen up to face the harsh reality of having to extend lifelong assistance to their children, lending them the much needed support, love and care unconditionally, expecting nothing back from them with only hope in their aching hearts for a better day and life for their little ones.
Understanding Autism
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is explained as a neuro-developmental disorder that refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication.
Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently from other people. If one is autistic, he is autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease hence cannot be cured while treatments can be helpful in many ways.
Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some autistic people also have learning disabilities, mental health issues or other conditions, which means people need different levels of support. All people on the autism spectrum can learn and develop. With the right sort of support, they can be helped to live a more fulfilling life of their own choosing.
How common is it?
Autism is more common than most people think. People from all nationalities, cultural, religious and social backgrounds can be autistic, although it appears to affect more men than women.
According to the Center for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 per cent of the world population with 1 in 59 children affected in the US today. Experts say there are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK alone and 1 in 68 children in India are diagnosed with autism with an overall of more than 1 million cases reported per year.
Causes
Research into causes suggests that a combination of factors, genetic and environmental, may account for differences in development. Autism is not caused by a person’s upbringing or their social circumstances, nor is it the fault of the individual with the condition.
Diagnosis
Autism is tough to be diagnosed up to 18 months. A formal timely diagnosis by an expert team, including speech and language therapists, paediatrician along with a psychiatrist and psychologist is most essential to help identify the condition if possible in the early stages itself. This will help the persons and their families to understand why they are experiencing such difficulties and how they can be helped. It can also mean access to right kind of support and services to make their life better.
Symptoms
The range and severity of symptoms can vary widely as it involves developmental, behavioural, cognitive and psychological aspects. Common symptoms include:
1. Poor eye contact and the lack of smile
2. Not responsive to their names
3. Hypersensitivity to noise
4. Lost in thoughts
5. Hitting or biting themselves
6. Not using gestures while communicating
7. Inability to follow objects visually
8. Inability to make friends
9. Repetitive body movements or repeating their own sentences
10. Unaware of others’ emotions or depression
11. Learning disability or speech delay in a child
12. Intense interest in a limited number of things or problem in paying attention
Treatment
The ideal time to start treatment is by one to two years of age. But due to ignorance or issues of the family in coping with the situation, often a delay is caused which will place the autistic person in a difficulty to gain from the treatment measures.
Early recognition, as well as behavioural, educational and family therapies may reduce symptoms and support development and learning. Antipsychotic drugs may be also prescribed according to the assessment of the medical team depending on the severity of the case.
Therapies
The most important thing is to provide ‘sensory diet’ that can provide the child with the sensory input he or she needs to be in a “just right” state, as part of sensory integration therapy. This can include simple activities like blowing bubbles, swinging or eating crunchy vegetables to the use of tools like squish sand or slime, therapy balls, specially designed pathways to walk, lighted bricks and balls etc to enhance their hand and eye coordination, motor skills and overall functions. Behavioural therapy, hydro therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, animal assisted therapy and music therapy are beneficial too to channelise their energy thus soothing their minds to relieve the aggressiveness. Stem cell treatment is being talked about as an effective option in future.
Certain homoeopathic medicines are reported to provide better control over excretory functions. The massage by an osteopath proves beneficial in relaxing their muscles, rendering flexibility and enhances better locomotor abilities, as per the experience shared by parents.
Awareness Week
Every year, April 1-7 marks World Autism Awareness Week, by the international community and April 2 is regarded as World Autism Day after being adopted by the United Nations to enrich the lives of people on the autism spectrum. According to the UN, the purpose is to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.
The puzzle ribbon was adopted in 1999 as the universal sign of autism awareness which denotes the diversity and complexity of the people with such condition. A ‘light it up blue’ campaign is also conducted where many landmarks around the globe will be lighted blue in colour as part of the programme.
How can we involve
The first step should be to learn properly about the condition. To stress upon their abilities, not disabilities should be the motto. One can get involved in campaigns and activities for awareness as well as acceptance of autism in the society. Undergoing training to become well-equipped in aiding a colleague in school or workplace should be a major point of preference. We can also engage in real life interactions with autistic people, spend time with them to understand the difficulties and offer practical solutions by forming a care team. Another efficient method is to partner with several organisations who work seriously in this area to chart out and plan beneficial programmes that also includes promoting autism-friendly business to support the autistic people in the long run.
(The author is chairperson, Institution for Differently abled)