Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known simply as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Autism typically emerges during childhood and can persist throughout a person’s life. It refers to the difficulty an individual experiences with the principle of reciprocity—one of the most important criteria for establishing and maintaining communication in the social-emotional domain.
Although many individuals with OSB may have advanced learning and functional abilities, some may experience difficulties communicating with others and carrying out activities of daily living.
What Behaviors Are Observed in Children with Autism?
Children with autism may be unable to form coherent sentences during conversation. Their difficulties in sharing interest and emotions can lead to challenges in social communication skills. They experience difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, making eye contact, and using body language appropriately. Autism is also characterized by repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities that are limited in scope. Stereotyped or repetitive motor behaviors are one example of this. In addition to these, the following behaviors may be observed:
- Sosyal etkileşimlerde kısıtlamalar: Otizmli çocuklar, başkalarıyla doğal ve akıcı bir şekilde etkileşim kurmakta zorluk çekebilirler. Göz teması kurmakta, yüz ifade ve mimikleri okumakta ve beden dilini kullanmakta zorluk çekebilirler.
- Sınırlı iletişim becerileri: İletişim becerilerinde dil, jest ve mimikler gibi sınırlılık gösterebilirler. Geç konuşma veya hiç konuşamama gibi durumlar yaşayabilirler.
- Tekrarlayıcı davranışlar: Tekrarlayıcı bazı davranışlar sergileyebilirler. Belirli bir nesneyi sürekli düzenleyebilir, belirli bir davranışı tekrar edebilirler ya da bazı kelimeleri sürekli tekrarlayabilirler.
- Dar ilgi alanları: İlgi alanları belli bir konuda toplanabilir ve bu alanda yoğunlaşabilir. Özellikle belli bir obje, matematik veya müzik gibi alanlarda olabilir.
- Duygusallıkta aşırı veya az hassasiyet: OSB’li çocuklar, duygusal uyaranlara karşı aşırı derecede veya az hassasiyet gösterebilirler. Bazı çocuklar aşırı derecede hassas olabilirken bazıları belirli dokulara veya gürültülere karşı aşırı ilgisiz olabilir.
These behaviors may vary from child to child with autism spectrum disorder or may vary in severity
What Are the Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
OSB can manifest with different symptoms and varying degrees of severity among individuals. Symptoms may vary depending on the individual’s intelligence level, speech skills, and behavior. Although the causes of ASD are not fully understood, genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Individuals with ASD typically exhibit differences in social interaction, communication, and behavior.
Sosyal Etkileşim Belirtileri
- Göz teması kurmada zorluk yaşarlar.
- Başkalarıyla kolay kolay ilişki kuramazlar
- Genellikle empati kuramaz veya başkalarının duygularını anlamada zorlanırlar.
- Duygusal tepkiler vermede farklılık veya sınırlılık yaşarlar.
- Herhangi biriyle arkadaşlık ilişkisi kurmada zorluk yaşarlar.
- Basit rutin cümle ve soruları anlamakta zorluk çekerler.
- Mizahlar ve imaları anlamakta zorlanırlar.
- Dışarıdan veya herhangi gelen bir tehlikeye karşı duyarsız kalırlar
- Aşırı derecede inatçı ve hırçın olurlar.
İletişim Belirtileri
- Geç konuşmaya başlamaları ve dil gelişiminde gerilik
- Sık sık belirli kelimeleri tekrarlayıcı veya takıntılı konuşma örüntüleri
- Sözcük veya cümle tekrarları
- Sosyal ilişkilerde kullanılan jest ve mimiklerde anlama ya da kullanmada zorluk
Davranışsal Belirtiler
- Bazı tekrarlayıcı hareketler veya davranışlar sergilemek
- İlgi alanlarına karşı aşırı ilgi ya da hiç ilgi duymamak
- Belli bir düzene ve rutine aşırı bağlılık
- Bazı duyulara karşı duyulan aşırı hassasiyet ya da aşırı ilgisizlik
- Beklentilerin değişmesine karşı direnç gösterme
- Koordinasyon problemleri yaşama
These symptoms typically begin in childhood and persist. In some cases, they may also be identified in adulthood. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder, symptoms may persist for a long time or even throughout their lives. However, with early recognition by parents and subsequent intervention leading to an early diagnosis, educational interventions can help improve children’s functional skills and enable them to lead more independent lives.
How Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosed?
Babies typically grow and develop normally. However, children with autism spectrum disorder usually begin to show symptoms of the condition before the age of 2. To diagnose autism, an evaluation is typically conducted by a specialist doctor or psychologist. In the diagnosis of autism, the child’s behavior, speech skills, social interactions, and other developmental characteristics are first observed. This observation process helps the specialist evaluate potential symptoms and characteristics in the child’s development.
To diagnose a child with autism, the child must exhibit certain symptoms that have persisted for at least 6 months. These symptoms may include difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behaviors or rituals, restricted interests, and delays in speech and language skills.
Among the tools used to diagnose autism is the M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Children), a standard screening test for autism spectrum disorder. This test is very useful for the early detection of autism symptoms. However, there is no definitive test for diagnosing autism. The diagnosis is made clinically by a specialist who takes into account the child’s behavior, developmental characteristics, and medical history.
Treatment Methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The most effective treatment methods for autism spectrum disorder involve an individualized approach implemented by teams of specialists. The treatment methods used for this disorder may vary from person to person. The goal of ASD treatment is to assist the individual in a way that is tailored to their specific needs. For this reason, the treatment approach or adjustments are customized based on the symptoms and needs observed in each person.
How Can Autism Spectrum Disorder Be Prevented?
Although it is a condition that cannot be completely prevented, there is no preventive treatment for it. However, there are certain risk factors for OSB. Reducing these factors can lower the risk of developing OSB. These factors generally include the following:
- Genetik faktörler
- Gebelik ve doğum anı yaşanan olaylar
- Anne yaşının ilerlemesi durumu
- Gebelik sürecinde sigara, alkol vb. madde kullanımlarına maruz kalmak OSB risklerini arttıran durumlardır.
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How Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated?
There is no definitive cure for autism. However, there is also no single treatment method applied to all individuals with this condition. The goal of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment is to support the individual in a way that is tailored to their specific needs. For this reason, the treatment approach varies for each individual and is customized based on their symptoms and needs. The goal of treatment is to increase the individual’s independence in daily living activities, improve communication skills, and facilitate improvements in social interactions.
Some common methods used in the treatment of OSB include:
- Davranışsal Terapi: Bireyin olumsuz davranışlarını değiştirmeye odaklanan bir terapi yöntemidir.
- Dil terapisi: Bireylerin dil ve iletişim becerilerini geliştirmek için çalışır.
- Oyun terapisi: OSB’li bireyin duygusal ve sosyal becerilerini geliştirmek amacıyla kullanılır.
- İlaç tedavisi: OSB belirtilerini hafifletmek için kullanılabilen bir yöntemdir.
- Aile terapisi: Bireyin aile ortamını ve aile üyelerinin rollerini ele alır.
OSB treatment is a long-term process, and it requires patience and consistency to see a noticeable improvement in an individual’s symptoms.
For Expert Support: Center for Child Psychiatry and Child Psychology
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