Autism spectrum disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition where a person has challenges with social skills, speaking, and interacting with society.
It is a type of developmental disability in which he loses the ability to communicate and express himself properly. 0.2 percent of children in India are affected by it.
But their numbers could be higher, as many people go undiagnosed, especially in rural areas. There are many types of ASD.
ASD sufferers have different strengths and disabilities or challenges. Such people need assistance with daily living, while some can live completely independently.
The causes of autism are uncertain. These can be a combination of environmental, biological, and genetic factors.
ASD is often associated with gastrointestinal disorders, seizures, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and other attention-related issues.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Risk factors for autism include ASD in a loved one, family history of ASD in either parent, fragile X syndrome in a parent, genetic or chromosomal conditions such as epilepsy, an autoimmune disease in a parent,
and age over 35 These include age to become a parent, infections such as rubella and CMV during pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, medications such as antiepileptics (valproate), antidepressants (SSRIs), etc.
Premature labor, low birth weight of the baby, gestational diabetes, complications during delivery, etc. Apart from this, coming in contact with toxic substances found in plastic items (bottles, cups, containers), paints, new carpets, etc.
also leads to this condition. These toxins include BPA, PBDE, PCB, PCDD, etc. Along with this, air pollution due to traffic smoke, heavy metals like lead and mercury, and prenatal stress and anxiety are also the reasons. This disorder is seen 4 times more in boys.
Spotting the symptoms:-
ASD can be noticed as early as 6- 12 months of age but usually occurs by the age of 3 years. Usually, it lasts for life. The disorder can be minimized with early detection and proper treatment.
In some children, it can also lead to anxiety, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).is associated with.
Its diagnosis is based on suspicion, so there are no specific methods such as medical tests or other equipment.
Doctors usually prescribe treatment based on the behavior and development of the sufferer.
Research is ongoing to identify signs of autism in pregnancy. Some steps can be taken to reduce the risk of autism, but it is not possible to prevent it completely.
Also, know the remedy:-
The age of the couple should be 21 to 35 years when they become parents. Use safe drugs for anxiety, stress, and epileptic conditions.
Get regular antenatal checkups to treat OBG and with adequate control of diabetes. Identify the risk factors for preterm delivery, low birth weight and take timely measures.
Exercise regularly. Consume adequate nutrition, folate, omega 3, vitamin D3, iron, and calcium. Decrease anxiety and stress.
Breastfeed the baby for longer periods of time. Avoid smoke from salons, new homes, carpets, paint, and traffic. Try to eat organic matter.
Do not keep food and water in plastic utensils. Identify infections in pregnancy and get them treated on time.
