It is a condition that can change a person’s ability to communicate with others and interact. If diagnosed early, quality of life can be improved for a child. It has a different set of strengths and challenges. Some autistic people can speak, while others minimally communicate in other ways. Some have intellectual disabilities, while some do not. Some require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.
Some children show signs of autism, such as reduced eye contact and lack of response to their name. While Others develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then there are signs of decreased emotional responses, aggression, or loss of skills. These signs usually appear by age 2.
Each child with autism spectrum disorder has a unique pattern of behavior and severity level — from low-functioning to high-functioning. The child may or may not have a language delay or intellectual disability.
Some children with the disorder have difficulty with learning and language, and others may have signs of lower-than-normal intelligence. Other children have normal-to-high intelligence. They learn quickly, yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life, particularly in social situations. Although the symptoms identified may vary, clinical diagnosis is based on autism spectrum disorder diagnostic criteria to differentiate and determine symptom severity.
Autism is caused by differences in how the brain develops. It is not fully understood why this happens. Research suggests that it is a result of your genes and your environment. You are more likely to have autism if someone in your family has autism.
Signs and Symptoms You Must Know
The main signs related to autism fall into 2 broad areas:
- Difficulty with social interactions and communication
- Limited and repetitive behaviours and interests
The features of autism usually start in infancy, but they may not be noticeable until the age of 18 months or older. Sometimes autism is only noticed much later in life.
Children
For young children with autism, signs of social difficulties may include:
- lack of social interactions, such as not pointing or showing you things
- reacting to other people in an unusual way
- preferring to be alone
- delayed speech or repeating specific words over and over
- avoiding eye contact
Signs of behavioural difficulties in young children may include:
- Excessively following routines and being distressed at changes
- Repetitive movements, such as flapping hands, rocking or spinning
- Strongly reacting to sensory input, such as loud sounds or crowded places
- Narrow range of interests, such as only playing with certain toys
- Challenges with toilet training
Young children might have sensory difficulties such as unusual reactions to sounds, light, movement and textures. Textural challenges may appear when introducing solids to babies, or during bathing or swimming lessons.
There may be different signs of autism at different ages. In older children with autism, signs may include:
- trouble understanding body language and social cues
- following instructions very literally
- difficulty making friends
- narrow range of interests, such as only talking about certain topics
- sensory challenges, such as a strong or reduced sense of touch, sound, light, movement or vision
Autism is not caused by:
- vaccinations
- specific foods
- your cultural or social surroundings
- bad parenting
- taking paracetamol during pregnancy
Diagnose:
The specialist uses a set of standardised tools, such as questionnaires and checklists, to make a diagnosis. They will ask you questions about your child's development and behaviour and observe the way your child acts and plays. This may require a few appointments.
A diagnosis of autism will also include giving your child a level between 1 and 3. This refers to how much support your child needs — 1 being the lowest level of support and 3 being the highest.
How Ayurveda Sees Its Treatment
Ayurveda suggests, and research conducted in 2024 (link ) gives us a brief about the treatment of autism. As follows:
First (nidanparivarjan, which includes) pathya
It is advised to consume food that is less spicy, less oily, and easily digestible. That should be consumed at the proper time.
The Kalyanaka Kashayam was given to improve Vak (speech), Medha (intellect), and Smruti (memory), Saraswatharishtam was given for improving cognitive functions. Abhyangam was performed to alleviate Vata dosha. Shashtikasali Sweda was done to improve body strength and Vata Samana. Herbs such as Rajanyadi Choornam and Vilwadi Gulika were also given. With this, any other issue is also been addressed.
Proper diet and lifestyle should be followed with medicines. Adding meditation or yoga with some anulom vilom is really helpful.
