Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)

Definition

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts,

The American Psychiatric Association changed the term autism to autism spectrum disorder in 2013. ASD is now an umbrella term that covers the different levels of autism. The autism spectrum includes conditions including:

Autism.
Asperger syndrome.
Pervasive developmental disorder

Causes

The exact cause of ASD is unknown. The most current research demonstrates there’s no single cause.

Some suspected risk factors for ASD include:

certain genetic mutations
fragile X syndrome and other genetic disorders
low birth weight
metabolic imbalances
exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins
a maternal history of viral infections
Birthing parent of age 35 or older.
Use of valproic acid or thalidomide by the birthing parent during pregnancy.
Premature labor and birth.
Complications during birth.
Having a sibling with autism.
Having certain chromosomal or genetic conditions.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), both genetics and environment may determine whether a person develops ASD.

Key Signs and Symptoms

1. Social communication deficits may include:

Decreased sharing of interests with others.
Difficulty appreciating their own & others' emotions.
Aversion to maintaining eye contact.
Lack of proficiency with use of non-verbal gestures.
Stilted or scripted speech.
Interpreting abstract ideas literally.
Difficulty making friends or keeping them.

2. Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors may include:

Inflexibility of behavior, extreme difficulty coping with change.
Being overly focused on niche subjects to the exclusion of others.
Expecting others to be equally interested in those subjects.
Difficulty tolerating changes in routine and new experiences.
Sensory hypersensitivity, e.g., aversion to loud noises.
Stereotypical movements such as hand flapping, rocking, spinning.
Arranging things, often toys, in a very particular manner.

Associated problems

A wide range of physical and mental conditions are often associated with autism. These

conditions may include:

Feeding issues.
Poor sleep.
Gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
Epilepsy.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Anxiety and depression.
Other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),

schizophrenia and bipolar

Common Scenarios:

Delayed language development :A child who does not babble or make attempts to communicate by 12 months.
Social withdrawal: A child who becomes increasingly withdrawn and isolated from others.
Repetitive behavior: A child who exhibits repetitive movements or behaviors, such as hand flapping or body rocking.

Assessment

In Speech-sy ‘s ,the assessment for ASD includes:-

Observation: The SLP will observe the child’s play and interaction with others to understand their social communication skills.
Speech Assessment: The SLP will evaluate the child’s articulation, fluency, and voice quality.
Social Communication Assessment: The SLP will assess the child’s ability to use language in social situations, including understanding social cues and taking turns in conversation.
Other Areas: The SLP may also assess the child’s cognitive skills, sensory processing, and oral motor skills.
Standardized Tests: The SLP will use standardized tests and tools like the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF), Preschool Language Scale (PLS), to assess the child’s receptive and expressive language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of complex language.

Diagnostic Criteria:

The team uses the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose ASD. The criteria include:

Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period
Symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment

Intervention

Speech-sy’s therapy approach:-

While there is no “cure” for autism, there are several effective interventions that can

improve a child’s functioning which Speech- sy ‘s offer such as :-

Increase social communication skills: Improve the child’s ability to initiate and maintain conversations, understand social cues, and engage in reciprocal interactions.
Improve language comprehension: Increase the child’s understanding of spoken language, including vocabulary, grammar, and complex sentences.
Develop expressive language skills: Expand the child’s ability to use language to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.

Outcomes:

The outcomes after the interventions done at speech-sy’s are :-

Improved communication skills: Individuals with ASD may experience improved communication skills, including increased vocabulary and sentence structure.
Increased social interaction: Individuals with ASD may experience increased social interaction, including improved eye contact and conversation skills.
Reduced behavioral challenges: Individuals with ASD may experience reduced behavioral challenges, including decreased tantrums and aggression.
Improved quality of life: Individuals with ASD and their families may experience improved quality of life, including increased independence and social participations.