Geeton Ka Guldasta

The mention of autism in this site is because Ajit Kumar Joardar's grandson is suffering from autism. A part of sale proceeds from this site will be donated to Rotary Club of USJ - Autism Project. 

Image Courtesy : Wikipedia

What is Autism?

Autism is a disorder which comes under ASD( Autism spectrum disorder) which include pervasive development disorder (PDD), autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Early diagnosis is key to helping your child overcome the more debilitating symptoms of autism.

Autism can be mild, moderate or severe. Asperger's syndrome can be considered as the mildest. PDD and Autism can be from moderate to severe. In some children, the signs can be seen from a few days to weeks after birth and some at 30 months where the child starts to regress

Signs to pay attention to are:

• 1. Lack of speech
• 2. No eye contact
• 3. Does not seem to respond to sound (appears to be deaf)
• 4. Self stimulation which could be finger play, rocking,flapping.Head banging, staring at lights to movements of leaves
• 5. Walking on his or her toes could  considered an early warning sign.
• 6. Doesn’t respond to his or her name
• 7. Does not point
• 8. Seems unaware of other people or what’s happening around them.
• 9. Does not know how to interact with others, play, or make friends.
• 10. Prefers not to be touched or hugged
• 11. Does not get into "pretend" games, engage in group games, imitate others, or use toys in creative ways.
• 12. Speaks in an abnormal tone of voice, Repeats the same words or phrases over and over.
• 13. Responds to a question by repeating it, rather than answering it
• 14. Reacts unusually to textures and sounds. Some may be especially sensitive to loud noises.
• 15. Repeats the same actions or movements over and over again, such as flapping hands, rocking, or twirling
• 16. Unusual attachments to toys or strange objects such as keys, light switches..
• 17. Has difficulty adapting to any changes in their own environment
• 18. Throws tantrums
• 19. Change of sleep patterns.

It has been observed that a “special parent” goes through 4 main emotional phases when their child is diagnosed

The immediate reaction, which is usually anger, shock, disbelieve, anxiety and sorrow, this is usually followed by a period of mourning.

A period of isolation when the parent feels remote from reality. A need to be left alone. A deep feeling of grief takes over. Some parents feel guilty, wondering if they had done something wrong

A period of adaptation.. This is when parents emerge from the intense grief and come to terms with the situation. They usually start looking for what step should be taken to help their child. A feeling of anxiety may take over.

A period of adjustment. This is the stage when parents accept the child’s condition and start to focus on what can be done to give the child a better live in the future. And with every little success, so much of joy is felt.

Causes of autism( HELPGUIDE.com)

The causes of autism are not well understood, but a genetic component of the disorder is well documented.  Many experts agree that environmental factors are also involved. One popular theory is that certain individuals are born with a genetic predisposition for autism that is then triggered by something in the environment, either while the baby is still in the womb or sometime after birth. However, there is no scientific consensus about how these components interact to trigger the disorder.

The lack of answers can be frustrating and upsetting. It’s only natural to want to know why your child is struggling. But rather than worrying too much about unknown causes, try focusing instead on the effective treatments available. What’s most important is making sure you give your child the best chance at a full and happy life.

Genetic causes of autism

Research indicates that genes—both inherited genetic glitches and spontaneous DNA mutations—play a primary role in the development of autism. But no single gene is to blame. Scientists believe that at least 5 to 20 major genes are involved in autism, with many others also contributing to the risk. Studies also show that older parents are at a significantly higher risk of having autistic children.

Environmental causes of autism

Since genes don’t completely explain autism risk or the rising number of new cases, scientists are searching for environmental explanations to fill in the blanks. The idea is that toxins, chemicals, or other harmful external elements may trigger autism, either by “turning on” or exacerbating a genetic vulnerability or independently disturbing brain development.

Possible environmental culprits include air pollution, food additives, mercury in fish, flame-retardants, pesticides, insecticides, various prescription drugs, and chemicals used to make plastics and other synthetic materials.

CAUSE OF AUTISM IS STILL A VERY DEBATEBLE TOPIC