O QUE É TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA?

WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER? You know what the ASD? The ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder is the term used for different disorders of child neurodevelopment, whose striking features are difficulties in social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests and dysfunctional sensory system.

This term was adopted to replace all subdivisions that exist for these disorders. Since then are not use anymore Asperger Syndrome, Global Disorder or Pervasive Development. All these disorders are now known as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

According to the Control Center and the US Disease Prevention, one in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD. This significant number of diagnoses made the United Nations classify the disorder as a matter of global public health. In Brazil it is estimated to have more than 2 million people with autism.

Speech problems, sensitivity to noise, lack of interaction look, irritability with physical contact, aggression, lack of response when you call, interest in parts of objects, and repeat the same words or gestures can be some of the symptoms of autism in children. Although the causes of ASD are not yet fully understood, experts in the field believe that the combination of multiple factors may lead to autism. Factors like heredity are responsible for about 50% of cases of autism, and the other half of the cases can correspond to external factors such as air pollution, pesticides in food, complications during pregnancy and infections caused by viruses, among others.

It is important to make clear that the ASD has different levels of commitment of the diagnosed child. For example, children with mild level of autism may have difficulties in social interaction and verbal communication, while others may develop special skills, such as high IQ, facility for language learning, impressive memory, among others. Children with moderate level of autism may present learning difficulties at school, to learn how to play and express themselves verbally, while others may attend school, be functional and autonomous in some activities.

Children with severe level of autism may harm themselves and others. Usually these children rely on other family members for daily activities. Today we invest in early identification of signs of autism, to guide parents and early intervention.

The training of parents and professionals has been fundamental to the identification and targeting of interventions. The diagnosis of autism is clinical, done through direct observation of child behavior and an interview with the parents. New technologies such as those that track the eyes of children while they watch videos on the computer, also contribute to the diagnosis and choosing the most appropriate treatment for the disorder intervention.

When treatment of autism is made early, before the age of three, the child can develop or expand their understanding capabilities, communication and social interaction, as this is the period in which the child enters the field of meanings and interactions with others. Behavioral therapies, communication, occupational therapy, physical therapy and medications are some of the interventions adopted by doctors and family. But it is important to know that every child requires a kind of specific and individualized treatment.

In addition, numerous courses, books, support groups and other informative materials are available for parents and professionals in education and health to learn more about autism and contribute to the treatment of children. To improve the quality of life of children with autism and their families, we at PENSI Institute reaffirm our commitment to the development of research on the TEA, continuous investment in training of professionals in the health and education area, and awareness of parents for the identification and early treatment of the disorder.