Parents in Sri Lanka, are you aware of autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)? Let's talk!

Is your little one a little reluctant to play or socialize with other children? Is he a little late in developing age-appropriate speech? Or does he just keep playing the same type of game? It's normal for some parents to feel a little scared and worried when they see things like this. Today we're going to talk about autism, a condition that can show these symptoms and is currently being talked about a lot in society.

What exactly is autism?

Simply put, autism is not a disease or a mental illness. It is a change in the way a child's brain develops and functions. We medically call this Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . The word 'spectrum' is very important here. Think of a rainbow. Just as the rainbow has different colors, the abilities and challenges of children with autism are very different from each other. While some children may only need a little support, others may need a lot of support from adults in their daily lives.

This condition usually begins in childhood, before the age of 3. Sometimes, the first signs can be seen as early as 12 months. This condition mainly affects three areas:

• Social Interaction : How to build relationships with others.
• Communication: How to speak and exchange ideas.
• Behavior: How they behave and see the world.

Why are more autistic children being diagnosed these days?

You may have seen in newspapers or on the Internet that "the number of children with autism is increasing." When you look at the data released by world health organizations like the CDC in the United States, you can see that the percentage of children diagnosed with autism is gradually increasing. For example, in 2008, one in 88 children was diagnosed, while in 2020, one in 36 children was diagnosed.

In the past, children who behaved a little differently and didn't talk were labeled as "stupid" or "very stubborn." But now we know that these can sometimes be signs of autism. And if a child has a developmental delay, there are now good screening methods to identify it early. So, what's really happening is that children who were previously undiagnosed are now being identified correctly.

What are some common characteristics of autism?

Remember, every child is different. Just because your child has one or two of these symptoms doesn't mean they have autism. But if you see several of these symptoms consistently, it's important to seek medical advice .

Does this condition affect boys more?

Yes, according to the data, autism is diagnosed about four times more often among boys than girls. However, recently, the diagnosis has also increased among girls. Perhaps because the characteristics of girls are a little different, it can be missed.

What to do if you have doubts about your child?

The most important thing is not to panic, but to seek advice from the right sources. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. If you have any doubts or questions about your child's development or behavior, the best thing to do is:

1. Talk to your family doctor.

2. See a Consultant Paediatrician.

The doctor will examine your child, listen carefully to your observations, and, if necessary, refer you to other specialists (e.g., speech therapist, occupational therapist) who are specially trained in child development and behavior.

Challenges that may arise as the child grows up

As children with autism reach adolescence, they may face new challenges. They may have difficulty making friends, maintaining relationships, and understanding expected social behaviors at school or in the workplace.

Also, there are cases where autism is accompanied by other conditions such as anxiety, depression , and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) . Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the child's mental health and seek medical advice if necessary.

Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child Development, Children's Mental Health, Developmental Delay, Pediatrics