When it comes to autism spectrum disorder, each person’s journey is unique. Many children falling into this group of developmental disabilities suffer from various learning, social communication, language development issues and may require intensive therapy to overcome their challenges and learn various life skills. Some people may suffer severe symptoms and never learn to speak or make eye contact, many others are able to live relatively normal lives requiring little support from others. Autism may or may not affect cognitive abilities. While some may have extraordinary intelligence, others may have intellectual disability. According to a study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, about 40 percent of autistic people have intellectual disability, while the rest have average or above average intelligence. (Also Read | ABA Therapy for Autistic Children: 5 Ways That Can Help Their Development)
It is true that people with autism will face some type of challenge, no matter how severe or mild the condition is. Some children may suffer from mild autism, in which they may have difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations, are very sensitive to light, sound and pain, become distressed by changed surroundings and engage in repetitive behaviour. join in. They may remain unidentified for years because they cannot completely depend on others for all their activities. In contrast, children with severe autism are not able to communicate and are completely dependent on their parents or other caregivers to understand their needs.
Challenges of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
“Autistic spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities in which children may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that differ from other children. These children have delays in social and linguistic milestones that make it difficult for them to socialize and socialize with their peers. “It creates barriers to communicating their needs. They require extensive occupational and cognitive therapies to make them self-reliant. It is therefore important to recognize the problem early, so that adequate treatment can be initiated before serious regression occurs,” Dr. . Ishu Goyal, Deputy Consultant Neurologist, says Sir. HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.
Why is it difficult to diagnose children with mild autism?
Children with mild autism may have better memory skills along with stronger analytical and logical abilities. They can excel in science, math and music and because of all these skills, their condition sometimes may not be identified until adulthood.
“It is important to understand that children with ASD can vary greatly in their skills and deficits. Some children may be mildly affected and require minimal social support, while others are completely dependent on them for all their activities. Children with mild autism often go undiagnosed for many years and primarily have problems with social interaction, forming relationships, increased sensitivity to light, sound, pain, and adjusting to changed environments. display difficulty. On the other hand, they may have exceptional memory, comprehension, analytical and logical abilities, they may be highly It is not even recognisable,” says Dr Ishu.
Children with severe autism usually have a complete lack of communication, making them completely dependent on their parents to understand their needs.
Dr. Ishoo concluded, “Because of such variability and lack of acceptance, autism is often ignored for many years and children miss the time they need to become self-reliant and more communicative.” Can be trained.”
