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Nutrition In Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scientific Guide For Parents
Children with ASD often reject bitter or sour tastes. This preference can cause obesity, diabetes, and dental caries.
Dr. Gokul Ratakonda
Psychiatrist
Dr. Gokul Ratakonda
Psychiatrist
Autism, medically known as autism spectrum disorder, comprises a range of developmental disorders characterised by:
Autism is a condition in which the brain of an individual works in a different way from other people. Individuals with autism are also different from each other. The disorder is not yet fully understood, and there is no cure available currently; however, people with the disorder are capable of having a relationship, friends, job, etc., like any other person, albeit with a little extra support from family or close ones. While some people with the disorder may have learning disabilities, the intelligence of individuals with autism ranges from average to above average. In a supportive environment, people with the disorder are more likely to develop new skills and learn to function independently. Studies indicate that diagnosis and early intervention treatment services help people with the disorder to learn essential social, communication and life skills required to lead a good quality of life.
The term autism spectrum disorder includes:
The symptoms may range from mild to severe, usually begin during early childhood by the age of 12-18 months or even earlier. The symptoms usually persist for most of life. Infants with the disorder may not show any of the following normal developmental behaviours:
Causes
The exact cause of autism is unknown. Studies on people with the disorder suggest that certain genetic and environmental factors, including the ones mentioned below, disturb the growth and development of the brain during the foetal stage.
Since studies have not been able to identify the cause of autism, there are no preventive measures available currently to prevent the disorder.
Currently, there are no specific tests to diagnose autism. Generally, the parents of the child will be asked to look at and record the behaviour and development of the child to help diagnose the disorder. Specialists may evaluate vision, hearing, language skills and motor coordination. A child is diagnosed to have autism when he/she shows the following symptoms from early life and the symptoms affect the child’s life significantly:
There is currently no cure for autism. However, studies indicate that interventional treatment services during early childhood can help children with the disorder to learn and develop important life skills.
Interventional treatment services include education programs and behavioural therapy and employ intensive and structured skill-oriented training sessions to help the child develop language and social skills, encourage positive behaviour, etc. Since the symptoms of autism manifest differently in different people, individualised treatments are often required to get the best results.
Medicines cannot cure or treat the main symptoms of autism; however, they may help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that are often related to autism. Certain medicines that may be prescribed in individuals with autism are:
Here are some tips that parents with a child with autism can use to help their child cope with
day-to-day life:
Prognosis
Autism is a lifelong condition, and children may often require continued support and services most of their life. However, many individuals can live a normal life as symptoms of autism usually become less severe or noticeable with age. Therefore, parents who have a child with autism should be prepared to adjust to the needs and treatment of the child.
Complications
Conditions that commonly affect people with autism include:
Children with ASD often reject bitter or sour tastes. This preference can cause obesity, diabetes, and dental caries.
Assessing other family members for ASD typically involves a combination of genetic counselling, medical evaluation, and behavioural screening.
It has been documented over time that physical abuse is repetitive in nature and the intensity might escalate with time
A few changes in your lifestyle can work wonders towards inward healing in the long term.
Know how and why you should make autistic children feel loved and normal.
Autism in older children and youth is misdiagnosed for other diseases. Know why it could create a problem for them in the future and how to address it.
Clinicians report surge of cases mimicking autism among kids during the COVID -19 pandemic. Here's how to protect your child from the threat of virtual autism.
According to a study, children with autism are more susceptible to the pandemic's detrimental impacts. Read on to know more.
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a lifelong condition and there is no cure for it. However, the quality of life for autistic children can be greatly improved with the right care and support.
Yoga can benefit children with autism in more ways than one. On this World Autism Awareness Day, we tell you how it helps manage the manifestations of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
One-fourth of children under age 8 with autism remain undiagnosed. As we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, we have listed some early signs that may help parents identify children with autism. Read to know the warning signs.
Parenting can be a challenge for people with autistic children. Today, on the occasion of Autistic Pride Day, here are a few tips for such parents.
Researchers say that eating disorder in autistic kids might result from dysfunctional methods of coping with their emotional difficulties. Here's how parents can help their kids manage their emotions.
Parents of children with autism report higher levels of stress on average than parents of typically developing kids. Adding a pet into the family may be beneficial for both autistic kids and their parents says a new study.
Here are some early signs that may help identify children with autism. These involve social, communication, and behavioural differences:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and is quite common globally. As a parent, know what symptoms to look out for in your child.
Brain imaging can help detect autism. But know what may cause this condition and how you can prevent it with a few helpful tips.
Know about alternate treatment options for autism.
Children with ASD often reject bitter or sour tastes. This preference can cause obesity, diabetes, and dental caries.
Assessing other family members for ASD typically involves a combination of genetic counselling, medical evaluation, and behavioural screening.
It has been documented over time that physical abuse is repetitive in nature and the intensity might escalate with time
A few changes in your lifestyle can work wonders towards inward healing in the long term.
Know how and why you should make autistic children feel loved and normal.
Autism in older children and youth is misdiagnosed for other diseases. Know why it could create a problem for them in the future and how to address it.
Clinicians report surge of cases mimicking autism among kids during the COVID -19 pandemic. Here's how to protect your child from the threat of virtual autism.
According to a study, children with autism are more susceptible to the pandemic's detrimental impacts. Read on to know more.
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a lifelong condition and there is no cure for it. However, the quality of life for autistic children can be greatly improved with the right care and support.
Yoga can benefit children with autism in more ways than one. On this World Autism Awareness Day, we tell you how it helps manage the manifestations of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
One-fourth of children under age 8 with autism remain undiagnosed. As we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, we have listed some early signs that may help parents identify children with autism. Read to know the warning signs.
Parenting can be a challenge for people with autistic children. Today, on the occasion of Autistic Pride Day, here are a few tips for such parents.
Researchers say that eating disorder in autistic kids might result from dysfunctional methods of coping with their emotional difficulties. Here's how parents can help their kids manage their emotions.
Parents of children with autism report higher levels of stress on average than parents of typically developing kids. Adding a pet into the family may be beneficial for both autistic kids and their parents says a new study.
Here are some early signs that may help identify children with autism. These involve social, communication, and behavioural differences:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and is quite common globally. As a parent, know what symptoms to look out for in your child.
Brain imaging can help detect autism. But know what may cause this condition and how you can prevent it with a few helpful tips.
An eating disorder named anorexia could be the hidden manifestation of autism in girls, suggests a new study. Read on to know including and excluding some foods can help you ease the symptoms of this neurodevelopmental condition in your child.
Know about alternate treatment options for autism.
If the symptoms are not addressed in an early age properly, autistic spectrum disorder may lead to certain complications. Here we tell you about them.
Is your child autistic? Make him eat this not that
Although the exact cause of the disorder is not known there are a certain factors that increase the risk of autism in children.
A dysfunctional immune system, anti-mosquito pesticides, an autistic sibling and two other factors that can increase the risk of autism in your child.
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Early intervention is essential for improving the child's ability to interact normally with others in the future.
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Autism -- causes, diagnosis, treatment and symptoms
