Autism — what are the signs?

 Autism is a term that is riddled with misconceptions. Some believe it to be caused by vaccinations, while others think it’s due to bad parenting. In fact, in the 1950s, a theory known as the ‘refrigerator mother hypothesis’ rose to popularity because people believed that autism was the result of mothers who had no emotional warmth. 

Well, these theories could not be further from the truth. So, to differentiate myths from facts, let’s take a look at what exactly being diagnosed with autism means and how to identify its symptoms. 

What is Autism? 

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of developmental conditions. An individual with autism typically experiences challenges with the social, communication, and behavioral aspects of life. 

ASD is a spectrum disorder which means that it affects each individual differently. While there may be some similarities in terms of how they perceive the world, individuals on the spectrum each have their own distinct strengths and challenges. For instance, the way in which they learn, think, or problem-solve can vary from highly skilled to severely challenged. The way these challenges affect people with autism can also evolve over time as they age and as they experience different environments. 

Recognizing the signs of autism 

As a parent or caregiver, it’s imperative to learn the early signs of autism. These typically surface between 12 to 18 months of age. If the signs are detected within 18 months, it is possible to rewire the brain and reverse symptoms with intensive treatment. Oftentimes, early symptoms of autism are misconstrued, and instead, the child is simply thought of as a ‘good baby’ due to their quiet, independent, and undemanding nature. Nevertheless, it’s possible to recognize early signs of autism if one knows what to look for. 

Early signs of autism 

The signs of autism are less about abnormal behaviors and are more about the lack of certain behaviors. A child may be showing symptoms if he or she does not: 

- Make eye contact with you - Smile when being smiled at - Respond to their name or a familiar voice - Follow objects visually or follow gestures when something is being pointed out to them - Use gestures to communicate such as pointing or waving goodbye 

- Like physical contact such as initiating or responding to cuddling - Imitate movements and facial expressions - Play with other people or share their interest and enthusiasm 

Red flags to watch out for 

If a child exhibits any of the following at various developmental stages, it requires professional evaluation. 

- No smiles or other joyful expressions by 6 months of age - By 9 months of age, there is no back-and-forth sharing of sounds or facial expressions 

such as smiles - By 12 months of age, the child does not respond to his or her name, babble, or use 

engage using gestures such as pointing, reaching, or waving - There are no spoken words by the time the child is 16 months old - By 24 months, the child does not speak any meaningful, two-word phrases that are not imitative or repetitive 

Symptoms of autism in older children 

In older children, the symptoms of ASD become more distinctive. While there may be many different red flags and signs, most of them involve impaired social, speech, non-verbal communication skills, and inflexible behavior. 

Signs of social challenges include: 

- Not knowing how to make friends or connect with others - Preferring no physical contact - Having difficulty understanding feelings or discussing them 

Signs of speech and language difficulties: 

- Speaking with a different tone of voice, an odd rhythm, or pitch - Repeating the same words or phrases for no apparent communicative reason - Having trouble communicating what they want and need - Finding it tough to understand simple directions, statements, or queries 

Signs of non-verbal communication challenges: 

- Avoiding eye contact - Being unable to read behavior or social cues by reading facial expressions, tone of 

voice, and gestures - Not making many gestures and coming across as cold and distant 

- Being sensitive to loud noises and reacting differently to sights, smells, textures, and 

sounds - Exhibiting abnormal posture or movement 

Signs of inflexibility: 

- Has a rigid routine - Finds it difficult to adapt to any changes - Has strong attachments to toys or other objects 

Is there any treatment for autism? 

It was once believed that there is no treatment for autism. However, innovations in the medical field have given rise to stem cell technology, igniting hope in the hearts of many parents. 

Stem Cell Therapy involves extracting stem cells, which have regenerative properties, from the patient’s body to replace impaired cells thereby treating the ailment. These cells can also be obtained from a donor. The entire procedure is painless, drug-free, and patients can usually return home on the same day. 

So, what does Stem Cell Therapy have to do with the treatment of autism? A person diagnosed with ASD has altered structures in parts of their brain such as the ones that are responsible for concentration, attention, speech, and regulating memory. Stem Cell Therapy has shown success in restoring these impaired neuronal connections. 

Over the years, studies have been conducted on numerous patients with neurological disorders including ASD. The results of these studies have shown that patients who underwent Stem Cell Therapy experienced improved cognitive functions. 

Fortunately, Stem Cell Therapy is now being offered at Plexus, a Neuro and Stem Cell Therapy centre located in Bangalore and other cities throughout India. At Plexus, patients are given specialized care through the Regenerative Rehabilitation program. This comprehensive program is fully customized according to the requirements of each patient and includes Stem Cell Therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. 

To learn more about the program and how it helps treat ASD and other disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Spinal cord injury, visit https://plexusnc.com/ and schedule a consult today.