Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that includes social communication, restricted interests and frequent challenges with repeated behavior. Initial diagnosis is necessary to improve children’s results with ASD. Initial interventions can have a positive effect on cognitive, language and socio-emotional functioning.
How to diagnose ASD?
There is no specific blood test or biomarker available at present to make a correct diagnosis of ASD. Appropriate diagnosis is therefore requires careful review of history and direct observation of children’s child behavior.
In addition to specific presentations such as speech delays, without the intention of communication, repetitive action, early markers for ASD often appear and if detected, the initial diagnosis can be facilitated.
Some initial markers of ASD are as follows:
Scarcity
Eye contact deficiency
Lack of communication intention with parents
Pilgrimage
Lack of recognition of parents’ voice
Name call reaction lacks but alert for environmental sounds
Delay at the beginning of the rage at the age of the last 9 months
Exemplary
Restrictive and repetitive behavior
Hypercaria
What is the reason for ASD?
The cause of ASD is considered as a result of interrupted nerve connectivity and is mainly affected by genetic variations affecting brain development. Many genes involved in brain development are associated with ASD. There is also possible evidence of environmental contribution to ASD. The age of old maternal or ancestral can increase the risk of ASD.
Why is the initial diagnosis of ASD in India challenging?
Many environmental and social factor contribute Clinical challenges in IndiaSuch as
Lack of acceptance: Most parents hesitate to seek help and fail to accept that their child also has some issue when he is addressed by a doctor during a regular health journey. Most of us want to believe that our child is doing well.
Cultural Difference: Some parents may ignore the early signs of ASD as “late blooming” or believe that boys speak later than girls, thus the intervention is delayed.
Access and Costs: Comprehensive assessment can be expensive and can be available in most urban centers, making it difficult for low -income families to receive initial diagnosis.
Alternative approaches: Parents seek help from herbal medicines such as disqualified physicians, alternative medical providers,
Complications of pseudo science: People believe in myths such as vaccination, assault, etc.
Lack of frequent screening practices: In India, regular autism is not mandatory in pediatric health check, unlike some Western countries, recalled early signs of ASD.
How to contact ASD?
Early screening and accurate diagnosis are important, as they play an important role in determining future results for these children. Managing ASD requires a multi -disciplinary approach to include professionals from various fields, including developmental pediatricians, child psychiatrists, psychological, professional and speech therapists, and more importantly that the participation of parents/carefuls is important in the entire process.
Dr. E. Dinesh Kumar MD (Pediatrics), Advisory Pediatricians, Pacific Hospital, Valachary.
