SUPPORT & DONATE
SUPPORT & DONATE

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? This will give you a good idea.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. It causes a delay or disturbance in the acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental domains, including motor, social language, and cognition. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.

Every person with autism is unique. The spectrums within ASD ranges from non-speaking, low intelligence, hyposensitive (sensory seeker), poor social skills to having typical speech, high intelligence, hypersensitive (sensory avoider), someone who can pass for typical person and savant.

ASD does not discriminate between, race, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups; however, it affects boys about 4 times more commonly than girls.1

There is no cure for ASD. Research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development.1 Continuing support as they mature can help them to have a more independent and fulfilling life.

Common Characteristics of ASD

  • Repetitive motor movements, use of objects or speech

    • Motor stereotypies
    • Lining up or flipping objects
    • Echolalia
    • Idiosyncratic speech

  • Inflexible adherence to routines or ritualized patterns of behavior

    • Extreme distress at small changes
    • Difficulty with transitions
    • Rigid thinking patterns
    • Greeting rituals
    • Insistence on same food

  • Highly restricted fixated interests abnormal in intensity or focus

    • Strong attachment to/preoccupation with unusual objects
    • Excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests

  • Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspect of environment

    • Indifference to pain/temperature
    • Adverse response to sounds/textures
    • Excessive smelling/toughing objects
    • Visual fascination with lights/movement/object

  • Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity

    • Abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation
    • reduced sharing of interests, emotions, affect and response
    • Failure to initiate or respond to social interactions

  • Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction

    • Poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication
    • Abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication
    • Total lack of facial expression or gestures

  • Deficits in developing and maintaining developmentally appropriate relationship

    • Difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts
    • Difficulties in sharing imaginative play and making friends
    • Absence of interest in people

Causes, Risk Factors and Treatment of ASD

It is not known exactly what causes ASD. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), environmental, biologic, and genetic factors can make a child more likely to have an ASD. The CDC adds, some evidence suggest that the critical period for developing ASD happens before, during, and immediately after birth and the risk factors include:

  • Genes
  • Having a sibling with ASD
  • Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fagile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
  • Taking prescription drugs, valproic acid and thalidomide, during pregnancy
  • Children born to older parents

Diagnosis

Currently, there is no medical test to diagnose ASD; therefore, doctors and other professionals look at and rely on the observation of a child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. A reliable diagnosis is attainable at the age of 2 by an experienced clinician.

Autism is usually identified by a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team, through developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, often including a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist, child psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Benefits of a Diagnosis

A diagnosis can help people autism and their families understand why they are facing difficulties and make it easier to access the support they need at home, school, and workplace.

Ethiopia Research:

  • 75% of caregivers reported unmet needs in regard to education
  • 4% of children with special needs are currently enrolled in primary school
  • 47% of caregivers reported unmet needs for support from health professionals

Diagnosis

Currently, there is no medical test to diagnose ASD; therefore, doctors and other professionals look at and rely on the observation of a child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. A reliable diagnosis is attainable at the age of 2 by an experienced clinician.

Autism is usually identified by a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team, through developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, often including a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist, child psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Benefits of a Diagnosis

A diagnosis can help people autism and their families understand why they are facing difficulties and make it easier to access the support they need at home, school, and workplace.

Ethiopia Research:

  • 75% of caregivers reported unmet needs in regard to education
  • 4% of children with special needs are currently enrolled in primary school
  • 47% of caregivers reported unmet needs for support from health professionals

We train teachers, parents, health workers and other professionals to help ensure that schools, residents, health services and workplaces meet the unique needs of individuals with ASD.

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