HYDERABAD: The Autism Syndrome Disorder is a development disorder that affects the way a person communicates with and relates to people around him, said eminent child consultant, Dr. Salma Shaikh while talking to this scribe on Monday in connection with International Autism Awareness Day.
The autism syndrome disorder is usually noticed first when a child reaches the age of three years, she informed and added that it is identified by three areas of difficulty for the autistic person including social relationships and communications, imagination and planning and repetitive behaviours.
Some people with autism may never learn to talk but they engage in repetitive movements, she said and added that the cause of autism is not known and it lasts throughout a person's lifetime.
She said that recent studies strongly suggested that some have a genetic predisposition to autism and researchers are looking for clues about genes that contribute to this increased susceptibility. Evidence also suggests that some emotional disorders such as manic depression occur more frequently than average in the families of people with autism, she added.
Dr. Salma Shaikh said that treatment except cure can help the patient and the treatment includes the behaviour and communication therapies and medicines to control the symptoms. There are many strategies for helping an autistic child or person but the best ones are based on understanding the individual, she added.
About the day, she said International Autism Awareness Day expresses deep concern for the prevalence and high rate of autism in children, the consequent developmental challenges it brings, and highlights autism as a growing global health crisis. The day also celebrates the unique skills and talents of people with autism, Dr. Salma Shaikh said.
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