AUTISM

OBJECTIVES

 Define Autism
 Nature and symptoms of Autism
 Causes of autism
 Management of autism
Etymology of Autism

 The term autism (from the Greek autos, meaning self) was coined in 1911 by swiss
psychologist , Eugen Bleuler, who used to describe the withdrawal into ones inner world a
phenomenon he observed in individuals with schizophrenia.
 The use of the word autism to describe a condition as it is known today originated in 1943,
when an Austrian –born American psychiatrist leo kanner distinguished the disorder from
Schizophrenia.
 Schizophrenia differs from autism in that it consists of certain symptoms which are unique
from autism. Symptoms of psychosis ,like hallucinations , delusions and cognitive impairment.
 WHEN IT IS OBSERVED

 Autism usually manifests by the age of two. The condition is diagnosed four times more
frequently in males than in females according to CDC (center of disease control),
although women are often overlooked and misdiagnosed.
 The frequency of diagnosis has surged over the past 20 years , it is not clear whether
experts more aware of it or whether thdiagnosis has shifted to include lesser degrees of
impairement
 NATUREOF AUTISM

-Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects information processing

-People with autism have difficulties with social and communication skills .They Have
restricted interests and engage in repetitive behaviors. They also tend to experience sensitivity
or discomfort from sensory stimulation such as certain lights or sounds
Because autism’s symptoms vary greatly , the condition is said to exist on a spectrum,
referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder
 SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM

 While the severity of symptoms varies greatly , there are impairments to social and
communication skills.
 Some children with autism do not talk at all and remain mute throughout life, while others
have mild social challenges. Children with autism also show restricted interests and
repetitive behavior.
 Parents may notice their infant avoids eye contact or doesn’t respond .
 It may be difficulty for them to make emotional bonds and parental attachment. They
have limited interactions with caregivers or people around them
 Children with autism may have unusual responses to sensory stimulation and may be
highly sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes or smells.
CONT…

 They have deficits in motor coordination and poor muscle tone.

 Autistic children exhibit many kinds of repetitive behaviors early in life , such as hand
flapping, body rocking and making sounds.
 They may arrange or stack objects over and over again.
 Some children inflict injury to themselves by repeated actions such as hand biting and
head banging.
 They also have an early preference for unvarying routines of everyday life.
CAUSES OF AUTISM

 STOP AND THINK

What Causes Autism?
 Simplified response: NO ANY SPECIFIC CAUSE KNOWN YET.
There is no known single cause for autism spectrum disorder, but it is generally accepted
that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences
in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism compared to in neurotypical
children. Researchers do not know the exact cause of autism but are investigating a number of
theories, including the links among heredity, genetics and medical problems.
CONT..

Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic,

or environmental influences. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will
develop autism.


NOTE: It’s important to keep in mind that increased risk is not the same
as  cause . For example, some gene changes associated with autism can also be found in
people who don’t have the disorder. Similarly, not everyone exposed to an environmental risk
factor for autism will develop the disorder. In fact, most will not.
CONT…

 Influences increase the risks of a child to develop autism;

Basically, they can be divided into two categories;
i. Autism’s genetic risk factors
ii. Autism’s environmental risk factors
Autism’s genetic risk factors
Research tells us that autism tends to run in families. Changes in certain genes increase the risk that a
child will develop autism. If a parent carries one or more of these gene changes, they may get passed to
a child (even if the parent does not have autism). Other times, these genetic changes arise spontaneously
in an early embryo or the sperm and/or egg that combine to create the embryo. Again, the majority of
these gene changes do not cause autism by themselves. They simply increase risk for the disorder.
CONT…

Autism’s environmental risk factors

Research also shows that certain environmental influences may further increase – or reduce
– autism risk in people who are genetically predisposed to the disorder. Importantly, the
increase or decrease in risk appears to be small for any one of these risk factors:
Increased risk
 Advanced parent age (either parent above 30 or 40 years)
 Pregnancy and birth complications (e.g. extreme prematurity [before 26 weeks], low birth
weight, first born child, multiple pregnancies [twin, triplet, etc.])
 Pregnancies spaced less than one year apart
CONT…

Decreased risk
 Prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, before and at conception and through pregnancy 
No effect on risk
 Vaccines. Each family has a unique experience with an autism diagnosis, and for some it
corresponds with the timing of their child’s vaccinations. At the same time, scientists have
conducted extensive research over the last two decades to determine whether there is any
link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research is clear:
Vaccines do not cause autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled 
a comprehensive list of this research.
CONT…

 Below are some of the above two categories;

Genes and environment;
There are several identified susceptible genes that raise the risk of autism. Many genes likely contribute to
autism. These specific genes are believed to interact with environmental factors. Exposure to environmental
agents or chemical agents including medication and environmental toxins during pregnancy may cause autism.
Genetic factors; much evidence supports the idea that genetic factors could contribute to a risk of autism. It’s
suggested that as many as 12 or more genes on different chromosomes maybe involved in autism. Each of
these are involved in various degrees. Some genes may place a person at higher risk. Having certain genetic or
chromosomal conditions such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis increases the risk as well.
Several studies have shown that those with ASD have changes in genes that are involved in detoxifying the
body from harmful chemicals.
CONT…

Viruses and infections;

Research has also shown that environmental factors such as viruses may also play a role in
causing autism. Infections that appear to be causally related to the development of autism
include encephalitis, caused by measles, congenital rubella, herpes simplex virus, mumps,
varicella, and cytomegalovirus and stealth virus.
Vaccine myth;
To date there is no conclusive evidence that any part or combination of vaccines cause
autism. There is also no proof that any material used to make or preserve vaccines play a role
in causing autism. This follows the fears that a vaccine preservative thimesosal is responsible
for autism.
CONT…

Medication;

Acetaminophen has been suggested to cause autism. Children who were given
acetaminophen after the mile (measles, mumps and rubella). Vaccine have been seen to be
more likely to become autistic than children ibuprofen.
Premature birth
A small number of children who were born prematurely or low birth weight maybe at a
great risk for autism (ASD). There may be metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU) or
histidinemia that affect the brain development and functions.
SYSTEMS TARGETED THE MOST BY
THE RISK FACTORS