Autism isn’t a “new” medical condition, so to speak. However, it is one that is widely misunderstood and underestimated. Studies show that autism is actually the fastest-growing developmental disability globally.
This may seem shocking to you, but according to the World Health Organization, one in 100 children is likely to be diagnosed with autism. This alone paints a stark picture of just how serious this condition is and why it deserves a lot more attention.
This article will walk you through what autism is, its symptoms, and key reasons why autism incidence is rising rapidly.
What Is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex medical condition caused by alterations in the brain function of affected individuals. As a result of these alterations, people with autism act, communicate, and interact in ways that are different from other people.
At this point, it is crucial to point out that having autism doesn’t mean that the affected individual is sick. It simply means their brains work and process things differently from the “normal.” As such, they tend to exhibit behaviors that appear different or peculiar to others.
Another thing to note is there is no “one-description-fits-all” approach to describing autism in detail. This is because no two autism cases are really the same. The extent and location of brain function alteration are always different, and this difference is usually evident in the actions and behaviors of autistic individuals.
So, while some people with the condition may present little observable symptoms, others could be markedly non-verbal. Some people with autism even find physical contact with others to be challenging.
Why Is Autism Growing So Fast?
In the real sense of things, it’s not so much that autism cases are increasing than that awareness of it is on the rise. Before now, lots of autism cases had been going undiagnosed and ignored. Now, thanks to the collaborative efforts of different individuals and organizations, more people are becoming aware of the condition.
Because of this, early tests for autism detection are becoming more commonplace, leading to an apparent increase in detection.
Aside from this, some experts also hold the opinion that several environmental factors are also contributing to rising cases of autism, especially in black and Hispanic children. This includes environmental conditions like air pollution, premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal stress.
Regardless of its specific cause, however, one thing that’s clear about ASD is that early detection is vital to proper management. Autism isn’t a disease to be “cured.” However, when it’s detected early enough, there are ways to improve the living conditions of affected individuals.
Common Symptoms of Autism
The best way to detect autism early is to know its tell-tale signs. However, as earlier mentioned, signs of autism could vary depending on the specific individual affected. Regardless, there are some autism symptoms that manifest in lots of affected individuals. These include the following:
0 to 12 months
- Common signs of autism that manifest in this age range include:
- Limited eye contact as infants may actively avoid making eye contact or have difficulty sustaining it.
- Babies may not smile back at caregivers or show interest in social interactions.
- Lack of babbling.
- Some babies may exhibit repetitive body movements, such as rocking or hand flapping.
- Babies may show heightened sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures, or other sensory stimuli.
- Some infants with autism may have feeding challenges, such as difficulty latching or feeding aversions.
- Infants may display intense attachment to particular objects and show little interest in toys or interactions with others.
12 months and Above:
- Children may continue to struggle with social skills like initiating or maintaining conversations.
- Some children with autism may have delayed speech or language development, or they may not develop speech at all.
- Difficulty understanding emotions.
- Children may develop intense, narrow interests in specific topics or objects. This usually leads to them having difficulty focusing on activities that are unrelated to their areas of interest.
Note that some people with autism immediately show the signs early in life. However, for others, autism symptoms may not become evident until much later. Regardless of what age these signs are spotted, it is essential to immediately seek help to ensure optimal quality of life.
Finding Help for Autism
The first thing to do if you think you or your loved one has autism is to get a definitive assessment from a doctor. If the test is positive, your primary caregiver can advise you on how to best live with it. They’ll also connect you to a network of people with similar challenges so you’ll have all the support you need to live your best life.