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  • Autism
    Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a complex neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and, in particular, the processing of social information.  Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 21 January 2016

The main types of Autism are

1. Autistic Disorder: These have problems in socialisation, communication, and restricted patterns of behaviours and interests. 

2. Asperger’s Disorder: These have problems in two areas: socialisation and restricted patterns of interests.  

3, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): Children have problems in socialisation and one of the two other areas: communication or restricted patterns of behaviors and interests.

For detailed understanding of the characteristics read the Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Do the characteristics stay the same throughout their life? 

ASDs are considered a developmental disability, meaning they impact development and continue throughout the person’s life. However, this does not mean that the symptoms will remain the same across the lifespan. The characteristics of ASD can change throughout the person’s life as they grow and develop areas of skill and interest.

With individualised therapy and effective support, symptoms of ASD are managed to ensure the person leads a happy and productive life. However, the diagnosis of ASD will not ‘disappear’ or cease to be accurate.

Does ASD always signify intellectual disability? 
While a large number of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have a co‐occurring intellectual disability, there are many individuals with ASD who are of average or above average intelligence. They may score below average in some areas of cognitive ability, such as non‐verbal skills or adaptive behaviour skills, but score in the average range or above average in others, for example working memory or verbal comprehension.

Condition

Stories

  • Accepting my Child with Autism has made me a Better Person
    Mr. R.B. Krishnan, 68 has a 27-year-old son Vivek B.K on the Autism Spectrum and has been a hands-on father, along with his wife. He shares with us his difficult and joyous moments with his son and also offers a few tips for parents in similar situations The pic above is of Vivek, Mr. Krishnan and his entire family.  When was your son diagnosed and what were the early symptoms? Vivek was diagnosed with Autism when he was around 1 ½ years old. He couldn’t stay in play school with the other…
  • Son, Your Smile Means the World to Me
    Chitra Iyer, mother of 18-year-old Shravan with autism, feels all her challenges and hardships melt away and every moment of life becomes worth living when a beautiful smile radiates across her son’s face. Here she shares Shravan’s childhood and preparing a life plan for him for the next 20 years. When Shravan came into our lives we were overjoyed. The fact that he survived the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for 26 days and came home with us was itself a huge victory. When he would cry…
  • Treat a Person with Disability as a Regular Employee
    Mrs Neera Chawla, Director of Muskaan, an NGO which strives to empower adults with disabilities, talks about their employment programmes and how they try to make inclusion a reality. What categories of disabilities does Muskaan work with? What are the programmes you offer? We primarily work with adults who have intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities. We have a few cases of Autism also. We mostly have adult training programmes, which are ascertained according to the different…
  • You Can Read My Thoughts
    AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH A peep into the mind of Christopher Pereira, a young adult with autism, who shares his understanding of abstract concepts like ‘Self-determination’ and ‘Autonomy’ lucidly.
  • Creating Opportunities for Independent Living with Autism
    The Independent Living Program, an offshoot of Arunima, one of India’s first assisted living centres for teenagers and adults with autism, provides services and support to people with higher functioning autism to independence and dignity. In conversation with Aparna Das, founder director of Arunima. A few years ago, you set up Arunima, one of India’s first assisted living centres for teenagers and adults with autism. And now recently, you extended its vision to launch a new initiative, The…
  • Orko, My Brother
    AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH They played, they fought, they eat cheese burgers with friends… this may seem like a story of just any household with two boys with an age difference of five years. Except that Orko has epilepsy and is autistic. In a heartwarming account, Rajeev Roy talks about the very special relationship he shares with his younger brother. Pic 1- Rajeev (left) and Orko My brother, Orko, was born. In 5 months he experienced his first seizure. Truth be told, he didn't - we experienced…
  • ‘Being Independent is Absolutely Amazing’
    AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH Neha Uttam, a person diagnosed with autism and resident of Independent Living Program, is a staff member at Arunima. Here she recounts in detail her grooming to be self-reliant and the sheer joy of becoming independent. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in 2008. I have been teaching for almost 13 years now. My elder brother inspired me to opt for Independent Living. I learnt about Arunima, the care and rehabilitation centre for autism, in Dehradun from Action…
  • Let Me Speak for Myself
    The theme for World Autism Awareness Day 2017 is ‘Toward Autonomy and Self-determination’. This year, instead of speaking to parents, caregivers or health professions, we have got 5 young adults on the autism spectrum disorder to voice their thoughts and feelings on what autonomy and self-determination means to them. Read their evocative responses. 1)    NISHANT SRIRAM (21 years old) Background He is currently an intern at AMAZE’s flagship program AMEYA – AMAZE PROGRAM FOR…
  • Stanford Medicine: Arts and Humanities in Medicine
    The world of medicine is beginning to increasingly acknowledge the potential of expressive arts therapies such as art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing and play in the context of healing, treatment, psychotherapy, counselling and rehabilitation. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement and play acting allow individuals of all ages to express deep-seated thoughts and feelings, improve physical, mental and emotional well-being and boost self-esteem and…
  • Anxiety, Stress and the Special Needs Parent
    The parents and families of children with special needs go through a lot of stress and anxiety in bringing up their children. Dr Roma Kumar, a Senior Consultant in Clinical Psychology, discusses various issues that these parents have to tackle on an almost everyday basis and possible solutions. Q1. Different research and surveys across the world show that more than 50% of the parents of children with disabilities suffer from anxiety, stress and depression. In your experience in India what are…