Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Autistic spectrum disorders are considered a set (spectrum) of developmental alterations of the central nervous system that vary widely in type and severity. Autism spectrum disorders are to be considered neurodevelopmental disorders, i.e. conditions with neurological correlation that may interfere with the acquisition, retention or application of specific skills or sets of information. In particular, individuals characterized by this type of problem present more or less severe difficulties in different areas of human development:
– interpersonal relations: in particular in establishing social relations
– verbal and non-verbal language skills: often limited or even absent
– behavioural disorder: behavioural patterns, repetitive activities and limited response to environmental stimulation: often abnormal and inadequate
The different manifestations of the autistic spectrum have different intensities, such as to make each autistic subject unique, and can be summarized in two broad categories:
– high-functioning: individuals capable of communicating verbally and endowed with normal or even superior intelligence, so much so that they sometimes have extraordinary abilities in many fields.
– low functioning: subjects who are not able to use appropriate language and present in comorbidity a cognitive mental retardation for 70% of cases.
The specific causes of autism spectrum disorders are not fully known, although they are often related to genetic and environmental factors (environmental pollution and drugs). Several studies suggest that autism is a pathology with an important hereditary component since parents who have already had a child with autism are 20 times more likely to have another child with the same pathology.
Since the intricate neural connections develop their architecture in the fetal stage and then develop less vividly over time, symptoms of autism spectrum disorders may already appear during the first 2 years of life, although in milder forms they may not be detected until school age.
Currently, specific standardized tests for screening for autism, such as the Social Communication Questionnaire and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R), can help identify children who need more in-depth testing. Psychologists and other specialists have the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and other tools available for identifying the condition.
Given the great heterogeneity of these individuals and the lack of a drug that treats the core of autism (although there are drugs that can alleviate severe dysfunctionality), modern medicine provides only guidelines in the therapy to which practitioners must adhere.
Once the disorder has been identified, there are scientifically proven therapeutic and educational approaches that are able to provide abilities that make it easier for autistic individuals to integrate into the social, emotional and work world.
Autistic spectrum disorders are considered a set (spectrum) of developmental alterations of the central nervous system that vary widely in type and severity. Autism spectrum disorders are to be considered neurodevelopmental disorders, i.e. conditions with neurological correlation that may interfere with the acquisition, retention or application of specific skills or sets of information. In particular, individuals characterized by this type of problem present more or less severe difficulties in different areas of human development:
– interpersonal relations: in particular in establishing social relations
– verbal and non-verbal language skills: often limited or even absent
– behavioural disorder: behavioural patterns, repetitive activities and limited response to environmental stimulation: often abnormal and inadequate
The different manifestations of the autistic spectrum have different intensities, such as to make each autistic subject unique, and can be summarized in two broad categories:
– high-functioning: individuals capable of communicating verbally and endowed with normal or even superior intelligence, so much so that they sometimes have extraordinary abilities in many fields.
– low functioning: subjects who are not able to use appropriate language and present in comorbidity a cognitive mental retardation for 70% of cases.
The specific causes of autism spectrum disorders are not fully known, although they are often related to genetic and environmental factors (environmental pollution and drugs). Several studies suggest that autism is a pathology with an important hereditary component since parents who have already had a child with autism are 20 times more likely to have another child with the same pathology.
Since the intricate neural connections develop their architecture in the fetal stage and then develop less vividly over time, symptoms of autism spectrum disorders may already appear during the first 2 years of life, although in milder forms they may not be detected until school age.
Currently, specific standardized tests for screening for autism, such as the Social Communication Questionnaire and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R), can help identify children who need more in-depth testing. Psychologists and other specialists have the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and other tools available for identifying the condition.
Given the great heterogeneity of these individuals and the lack of a drug that treats the core of autism (although there are drugs that can alleviate severe dysfunctionality), modern medicine provides only guidelines in the therapy to which practitioners must adhere.
Once the disorder has been identified, there are scientifically proven therapeutic and educational approaches that are able to provide abilities that make it easier for autistic individuals to integrate into the social, emotional and work world.
