Autism is a form of mental disorder. It develops in connection with the existing disorders in the functioning of the brain. A person with autism has difficulty interacting with others. At the same time, there is a pattern of his thinking, lack of emotion, narrowness of interests and other symptoms.
Autism is diagnosed in early childhood, but as for its final cure, it does not lend itself to it. That is why the adult disease comes to replace the childhood disease. However, a mild form of autism can be corrected by a psychotherapist and by taking medications. This requires only a timely and competent approach of a specialist. But it is worthwhile to understand that certain signs of the disorder will still continue to accompany a person throughout his future life, preventing him from fully realizing his personal potential.
Causes of pathology
What causes autism?To date, scientists have not been able to come to any final conclusion about the causes of pathology and the mechanism of its development. According to many experts, several genes can be considered responsible for the development of the disease, leading to the failure of some parts of the cerebral cortex. This conclusion was made on the basis of the ongoing analysis of cases of the disease. After all, often when diagnosing a disease, a hereditary factor became obvious.
There is another theory of autism - mutation. Some scientists believe that the cause of the pathology is a malfunction in the genetic apparatus of a particular person. Factors such as:
- exposure to the fetus in the womb of ionizing radiation;
- infection with viral or bacterial infections during a woman's pregnancy;
- negative impact on the unborn child of hazardous chemical elements;
- chronic nervous illness of the mother, due to which she took psychotropic symptomatic drugs for a long period.
Especially dangerous, according to experts, are such effects on the fetus in the first 8-10 weeks from the moment of conception. Indeed, it is at this time that the formation of the main organs occurs, including those responsible for the functioning of various zones located in the cerebral cortex.
The occurrence of disease
Mutational or gene disorders underlying the pathology eventually lead to the occurrence of specific damage to someareas of the CNS. This disrupts the well-coordinated work of neurons responsible for social integration.
Besides this, the process of functioning of mirror cells in the brain changes. Such exposure leads to the fact that a person has specific symptoms of autism, expressed in the fact that the patient performs one or another similar action many times in a row or pronounces separate phrases.
Classification of pathology
When diagnosing and treating a disease, its variants of the course, the severity of symptoms, and the stage are distinguished. Similar characteristics underlie the classification of pathology. There is no single grouping of various variants of the disease, however, doctors distinguish autism from all variants of the disease:
- Typical. With this form, the disease manifests itself quite clearly in childhood. Babies with this diagnosis are distinguished by more withdrawn behavior, lack of interest in games with peers, as well as low communicative ability, which is expressed in poor contacts even with parents and close relatives.
- Atypical. This variant of the disease is diagnosed a little later, after 3-4 years. With this form of the disease, not all the specific signs of autism are observed, but only some of them. Due to the late detection of the disease, this type of pathology is less amenable to therapy due to the appearance of more persistent symptoms by this time.
- Hidden. How many babies can be diagnosed with such a diagnosis is not exactly known. After all, with this form of the disease, the main clinical symptomsailments are extremely rare. Children with covert autism are often seen as introverts or just too introverted. It is very difficult to establish communication with such a patient, because he will never allow a stranger into his inner world.
In modern medicine, it is customary to distinguish between four degrees of autism. Each of them has its own level of severity and symptoms. The first degree is considered the most difficult. It is characterized by the presence of a vivid manifestation of pathology syndromes. A disease related to the second and third degrees is expressed by signs by which it is possible to diagnose the disease.
But the fourth is considered easy. The course of the disorder is mild.
The difference between a mild form and a severe one
As mentioned above, autism can occur in several forms. All of them differ depending on their severity. As for the mild form of autism, it is diagnosed in a larger number of patients. This degree of pathology is characterized by a violation of social adaptation. It manifests itself in the child's lack of desire to communicate with others or establish contacts with them. In order to correctly determine the disease, it is important to understand that such behavior is not at all explained by the modesty of the baby or his excessive isolation. This is how he gets sick. Diagnosis of the disease is also possible by such a symptom as late development of speech.
There is no personality disorder in mild autism. Babies make good contact with the mostpeople close to them. As a rule, children with mild autism choose only a few family members from the whole family who, in their opinion, show great care and attention. Autistic children do not like physical contact. They try to avoid hugs and don't like kisses.
With a more severe course of the disease, children in every possible way avoid contact with people. For them, hugging or touching attempts made by close relatives sometimes become the cause of severe mental trauma. Only those closest to him can touch such a child. This is a fairly important sign by which it is possible to diagnose a severe form of autism. From a very young age, such patients are sensitive to the slightest intrusion into their personal space.
Some severe variants of the disease are expressed in a mental tendency to harm one's body. Babies with this diagnosis often bite themselves. Growing up, they attempt to inflict various injuries, that is, they show aggression towards their own personality.
Mild autism is most often underdiagnosed. Such children grow up and continue to get sick in their adult lives.
Signs of illness at an early age
What are the symptoms of mild autism in children? Signs of this degree draw a fine line between he althy and autistic states. That is why it is so difficult to diagnose the pathology of this form.
Sick children have increased vulnerability and tearfulness. This is observed against the background of attempts to make contact with the child andmaintain a dialogue with him.
What are other symptoms of mild autism in children? Sometimes a small patient reacts logically, emotionally and correctly to everything that happens around him. At the same time, his facial expressions betray pathology. After all, it seems that all manifestations of feelings are demonstrative. This is the same for novice actors. All their actions seem to the viewer to be overtly simulated.
One of the signs of a mild form of autism in children is the ability of little patients to look into the eyes of their interlocutor, even if only for a short time. Patients with all other degrees of pathology are unable to do this.
Another sign of mild autism is the slow conversation of the little patient. It seems that the child takes a very long time to select the right words that will allow him to form a phrase. Social contacts for such a baby are possible. However, he goes to them only in the presence of those adults whom he trusts. During the contact, after performing any action, the child will raise an inquiring look at the parents, trying to get approval.
With a mild form of autism, children experience difficulty when parting with a loved one. Moreover, in such a situation, the clinical manifestations of the syndrome are significantly enhanced. That is why during the period when the pathology is corrected by treatment, psychologists do not recommend leaving patients with strangers.
Development of intelligence and learning ability of a child with mild autismpractically do not distinguish them from he althy peers. If a small patient is given some help and support by parents and specialists, then after the transition to adulthood, a person will have access to all the social opportunities that he althy people have.
Symptoms of mild autism vary by gender. For example, in girls it is sometimes impossible to recognize the signs of the disease. So, they have almost no obsession with the same type of actions. In addition, a mild form of autism in girls does not lead to mental retardation. Young patients are often attached to personal relationships and individuals.
Symptoms of illness in adolescence
What are the signs of mild autism in middle school students? Adolescents with this diagnosis are not much different from their peers in terms of knowledge of relationships, including sexual and romantic ones. But at the same time, they sometimes have problems with the sources from which they get the information they need.
Teenagers with mild autism have few or no friends to discuss such topics with. Unfortunately, the only source for them is porn movies (for boys) or soap operas (for girls). What you see may be some kind of scenario of what to do and how to act on a date.
Besides this, unpopular girls who were not accepted into any companies after the changes that took placewith them in puberty, quite welcome the attention of boys. However, they never fully realize that this interest is only sexual in nature.
Symptoms of illness in adults
What are the signs of autism in older age? Among the signs of a mild form of autism in adults, a normal, and in some cases a high intellectual level of a person stands out. It is determined by IQ. However, in parallel with this, the patient experiences difficulties, solving unexpected and urgent tasks for him. In addition, he has a lack of adequate reaction when making changes in the usual life rituals.
What other signs of mild autism are there in adults? Despite the fact that the speech of these people is absolutely normal, there are still some difficulties in communication. For example, people diagnosed with mild autism are well aware that the word "drink" has several synonyms. Nevertheless, it is very difficult for such a patient to make a specific order in a cafe. In addition, during a conversation, patients have a monotonous speech or they pronounce words with an unnatural connotation, a robotic tone.
A mild form of autism in adults can also be recognized by their behavior. They are characterized by obsession with a particular topic or a very narrow range of interests. Such people show rigidity to change routine activities, which makes it difficult for them to work or live in a hostel.
Among the symptoms of mild autism inadults are also identified with anomalies that manifest themselves in social behavior. In such patients, prolonged eye contact sometimes causes difficulty. They are unable to maintain a lively dialogue, recognize facial expressions, gestures and postures of the interlocutor. Also, patients often cannot communicate with people of different ages in accordance with social norms. People with mild autism rarely agree with another person or take a group perspective.
The manifestation of the disease in women
Women with mild autism stand out from the rest of the fairer sex in that:
- beautiful and fashionable clothes they prefer comfortable, as practicality is above all for them;
- will not waste time on the construction of an intricate hairstyle on the head, but will be limited to simple combing;
- will not apply makeup;
- sometimes they look eccentric, but they do not understand it at all;
- their behavioral and vocal skills, as well as their appearance, are more reminiscent of children, not corresponding to their real age;
- have more expressive non-verbal functions than men with the same diagnosis;
- get lost in the awareness of themselves as individuals, while taking other people as a model and copying their behavior;
- their favorite pastime is to escape from reality into the virtual world, which is used for reading books, playing computer games and watching movies;
- comfort zone for such women is home or any other place convenient to control reality;
- create themselves forrules, and then steadily follow them, showing discipline, repetitive actions and semantic habits.
Diagnosis
Anyone who has discovered signs of mild autism in themselves or their child should consult a doctor (pediatrician, therapist, psychiatrist or neurologist) for advice.
The specialist will carry out diagnostics, which will reveal the pathology. Its main forms are survey or observation. The doctor will talk with his patient, identify the features of his movements and behavior. After that, special tests will be carried out. If after this suspicion of the presence of the disease remains, the doctor can give a referral to:
- electroencephalography;
- Ultrasound of the brain;
- examination by an audiologist.
The doctor will give an exact conclusion only after the procedures prescribed by him.
Treatment
The recommendations of a psychologist are used to correct the symptoms of mild autism. He can also conduct sessions, during which the patient will learn the correct behavior in society.
In addition, the use of medications will help to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. But it should be borne in mind that these remedies will only alleviate the signs of the disease, making the patient's life a little easier. They will suppress isolation, apathy, aggression and stimulate the brain. And this is very important in the presence of this pathology.
Doctors typically assign four groups to their patientsdrugs. Among them:
- Nootropics. Taking these drugs can improve brain function and increase its activity. The patient begins to communicate more easily with people, which makes his life less of a problem.
- Neuroleptics. With the help of drugs of this group, tension is relieved, aggressive thoughts are eliminated and the patient calms down. In part, such drugs have a positive effect on the brain, stimulating its work.
- Antidepressants. If the patient often has a depressed mood, and he does not want to interact with others, then doctors resort to the help of drugs in this group. With their help, all such symptoms are eliminated.
- Tranquilizers. They are prescribed infrequently due to their negative effect on the nervous system.
In mild autism, suppression of symptoms is sometimes possible when taking conventional vitamin-mineral complexes. The active substances of such drugs improve metabolic processes in the body, normalize brain activity and protect the patient's nervous system from negative external influences.
It is possible to suppress the symptoms of the disease with the use of other means. So, with a mild degree of autism, high efficiency can be obtained by conducting:
- cognitive behavioral therapy;
- social interaction training;
- classes in special training centers.
As additional measures to normalize the patient's condition, it is necessary to ensure that he:
- took a balanced diet;
- followed the daily routine;
- notovertired;
- played sports;
- as much as possible communicated with others.
As you can see, there is nothing wrong with being diagnosed with autism if you know what to do and who to turn to for help.
