AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER WARNING SIGNS: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Overview
A neurodevelopment disorder that causes a wide range of impairments in social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors.
Symptoms
If you're experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.
Symptoms are classified into two categories, social communication and interaction and patterns of behavior.
Social communication and interaction:
- Poor eye contact and lack of facial expressions
- Delayed speech or does not speak
- Does not understand questions and directions
- Gets aggressive or disruptive
- Does not respond to his or her name
- Repeats phrases or words
- Resists cuddling and holding
Patterns of behavior:
- Repetitive movements like hand shaking, spinning or rocking
- Difficulty in body movement coordination
- Sensitive to light, sound or touch
- Self harming activities such as headbanging
- Specific food preferences or food pattern
→ Common treatment options
→ Questions to ask your doctor
Causes
There is no known cause but genetics and environmental factors may play a role:
- Genetics: Certain gene mutations (genetic changes) might cause ASD. Some genetic mutations could be inherited. genetic disorders such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome could also be a cause. Few genes may affect development of brain cells
- Environmental factors: Researchers are evaluating whether air pollutants, medication, viral infection or complication during pregnancy lead to this disorder
Risk factors include:
- Gender More common among boys
- Family history
→ Questions to ask your doctor
→ Interested to know more? Check out the full article here
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Source: Focus Medica.
2024-05-09T09:43:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd