“I’m terrified, Doctor, Philip is almost two and he still hasn’t said a word. Could he be Autistic?”
Autism, today, is one of the most talked about, and feared, diagnoses for parents. Autism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development that affect each person in different ways, and can range from very mild to severe. Generally symptoms start before the age of three years old and last a lifetime. There are three types ASD’s; Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”). All three are characterized by varying degrees of difficulty with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. These symptoms include:
- Impaired social relatedness
- Lack of social reciprocity
- Decreased peer relationships
- Sharing deficits
- Delayed or lack of language
- Odd/repetitive speech
- Poor conversational skills
- Rigidity
- An obsessive need for sameness
- Rituals
- Motor mannerisms
- Preoccupations with parts of objects or narrow interests
As with so many other psychiatric syndromes, we don’t know exactly what causes autism, but we do know that it is not caused — as had once widely been thought — by cold, inattentive, negligent or unloving parents. Autism seems to be a disorder connected with dysfunction in the central nervous system. While no clear lesion or specific neurotransmitter has been isolated as the cause, we know that genetics plays a role.
As for treating with medication, antipsychotic drugs have only proven helpful in a narrow range of symptoms including irritability, tantrums, some of the motor issues, the occasional high anxiety of these children (sometimes to the point of psychosis), and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, there is little pharmacological help for the core of Autism, which is impaired communication and decreased relatedness.
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.
