Pediatrics

Autism Spectrum Disorder

definition

The autism spectrum disorder is one of the profound developmental disorders in childhood. The main symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder are difficult social interaction and communication. The autism spectrum disorder is divided into two forms: early childhood autism and Asperger's syndrome. A distinction is made between these two forms based on the age of onset and the symptoms. While early childhood autism usually develops within the first three years of life, Asperger's syndrome only occurs after the fourth year of life. In contrast to early childhood autism, which is associated with reduced intelligence, a normal to high IQ can be found in Asperger's syndrome.

Read more on the subject at: Early Childhood Development

causes

According to recent scientific research, one of the main causes of autism spectrum disorder plays a role genetic component an important role. It was shown that siblings of a child with autism have an increased risk of also developing an autism spectrum disorder. Affected parents also pass the disease on to their children.

In addition to be hereditary components Environmental factors discussed as the cause. However, there are still no reliable scientific studies for this. For a long time it was thought that there was a connection between autism and the Mumps vaccination gives. Today this can be refuted by reliable large studies! There is no connection!

diagnosis

In order to be able to make the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, other mental illnesses and developmental disorders must first be excluded, ie autism spectrum disorder is an exclusion diagnosis. Important diagnostic criteria are clinical symptoms and the age of the child. A distinction can be made between early childhood autism and Aperger's syndrome. Differences can be found next to the age of onset by assessing the language. While Asperger's patients are usually very eloquent and appear very eloquent in relation to their peers, the typical patient with early childhood autism has language problems and speaks worse than his peers.

Read more on the topic: Language disorder or child development

Read more on the topic: Autism tests

Symptoms

The symptoms can vary from patient to patient and vary in severity. Usually one falls first Communication disorder with other people. People with Autism Spectrum Disorders are not very good conversationalists. The entertainment is often emotionless and those affected usually have one neutral facial expressionwhich can be difficult for interlocutors.

Children with autism often show special talents and are in these subjects gifted. On the other hand, there is no interest in other things, such as hobbies or playing with other children. It shows up in comparison to peers increased intelligence quotientwhat typical of that Asperger syndrome is. Especially linguistically, these children are very well developed and can express themselves very carefully. Unlike the Early childhood autism, these children are more likely to fall with you decreased intelligence quotient and underdeveloped language skills.

Intelligence test
Characteristics of giftedness
Problems of giftedness
Test for giftedness

Many patients show stereotypical actssuch as repetitive actions while playing or a constant daily routine for older patients.

Patients with autism spectrum disorder tend to do so throughout life other mental illnesses to get such as depressions and Tic disorders. In addition, these people may develop Obsessive-compulsive disorder or Anxiety disorders. Children can also use the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Suffer. schizophrenia, with symptoms such as social withdrawal, delusions, and Hallucinations is also associated with autism spectrum disorders.

Tourette syndrome
Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
List of known anxiety disorders

Symptoms can be with antipsychotic drugs and permanent medical treatment be reduced.

What tests are there

Various tests provide evidence of an autism spectrum disorder. There are Self-tests based on Questionnaires at home can be answered or together with a psychiatrist or psychologist. Are the focus of the tests Sense of empathy and the Recognizing emotions. Be next to it stereotypical acts, special talents and Giftedness tested. This also makes the IQ determined.

Another test is the Face test, it shows people with different emotions, such as People who laugh, cry or get angry are. Autism patients often can Not interpreting emotions correctlyso the disease can be revealed.

questionnaire

There are a variety of questionnaires that can reveal an autism spectrum disorder.

Next Self-testThere are many questionnaires that the patient can fill out at home Parents fill in for or together with their children depending on how old the child is. That is the content of the arches social behavior, special talents, stereotypical actions and academic performance. Depending on the age group, there are different questionnaires with different contents.

Treatment and therapy

A cure the autism spectrum disorder can not. By psychotherapeutic therapy and medical treatment concomitant diseases can enable the patient to lead a normal life.

In the first place comes the Behavior therapy, The patient should recognize his social deficits and learn methods that make him feel normal interaction with other people enables. In addition, the patient should be more integrated into his social environment (school, kindergarten, job) through the treatment. It is therefore important to include people close to you, such as parents or life partners, in the therapy.

The aim is to get the person affected to enable independent life. Clear structures in the daily routine, With exact dates and times help the patients and give them security and peace. Unplanned events often cause conflict and patients close themselves off from their fellow human beings. This should be avoided by a constant everyday life Trust, especially between children and parents.

Concomitant disease symptoms are treated based on the patient and severity. The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can for example with Methylphenidate (Ritalin) be treated. The patient suffers Anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder can Antidepressantshow selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), be prescribed in combination with psychotherapy. Antipsychotics can one schizophrenia alleviate.

ADHD test
Symptoms of ADHD
Psychotherapy for ADHD
ADD / ADHD and antidepressants

In the adult

The disease is usually recognized in childhood and therapy initiated. However, there are isolated cases that are only diagnosed in adulthood. Again, there are symptoms like difficult social behavior, stereotypical actions and special talents in the foreground. Lack of empathy bring the patient, above all, serious ones Problems at work and in relationships. People with autism spectrum disorders can have a tendency to act out their sexual fantasies without regard to their partner. Relationships can fail like this and it can too social exclusion to lead.

Follow in school

Children with an autism spectrum disorder can have an above-average IQ as well as a rather low IQ. The problem of Giftedness is that this often only in some areas present, for there is no interest in other subject areas and are therefore neglected. This is a big problem, especially in schools, as there is general training in very different areas. By Disinterest in some subjects it often happens Difficulty concentrating and result from it bad gradeseven though the children are very intelligent. The gifted usually only helps those affected in their professional life, because there they can specialize in a subject area.

The behavior of the affected children often leads to Rejection by classmateswho have become children socially isolated and marginalized. Above all in childhood, the concentration disorder can result Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) develop. The children fail lack of attention in class on. A professional school-accompanying psychotherapy is therefore very important!

Further information