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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 27 August 2015

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex disorders with three core features:

  • Qualitative impairment in social interaction
  • Qualitative impairment in communication
  • Restricted, repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviour, interests and activities.

It is a complex neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and, in particular, the processing of social information. This affects how a person sees and understands the world around them and the thoughts, intentions and emotions of others. They have problems in understanding and sharing the emotions of others and also in self-expression and self-regulation of emotions.

It is estimated that the prevalence is 1% in the United Kingdom and 1.5% in the United States. In India diagnosis is still a challenge. But the estimated prevalence on a population of 1.3 billion is more than 2 million. 

 

Reference

1. DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.253970 Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in Indian children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Condition

Stories

  • Children With Autism Can Perform In Commercial Theatre - A Director's Perspective
    Diana Tholoor, a Movement and Theatre trainer and Director of Plays recently worked with a cast of 50 children and young adults on the autism spectrum to mount a production of Jungle Book on stage. She shares her perspective in the second part of this interview series.  1.   Why theatre? How does theatre help children and adults on the autism spectrum? Theatre is an integrated art form that produces simultaneous results through a single production. Amongst the many alternate…
  • A young boy in a white shirt sitting on a cream coloured plastic chair
    Multi-disciplinary Interventions for A Child On Autism Spectrum - Video Case Study
    A video case study of Om Pawar, a young boy who is non verbal and has intellectual disability and how he has benefited from multi-disciplinary interventions including digital technologies and animal assisted therapy.  Children on the Autism Spectrum struggle with social communication challenges and challenging repetitive behaviours. For children like Om who have Intellectual Disability and who are on the Autism Spectrum, life is that much harder.  Om's journey has been fraught with…
  • 5 Lessons From A Young Adult On The Autism Spectrum
    Pranav Kumar Rajgopal is on the Autism Spectrum and works as a Business Analyst in a technology firm. He shares lessons he has learnt based on his experience. His advice to others on the autism spectrum and their parents.  1. Never force your children to do something they are not interested in doing. Every child is unique and special. They may have an interest in pursuing drawing, painting, and creative craftwork, or pursue hobbies and passions in music and dance. Autistic children may…
  • A young autistic boy on the left in a red shirt with his father in a striped blue and white shirt in a home balcony
    Close Encounters with Autism: A Dad's Journey Of Coming To Terms
    Ganesh Anantharaman reflects on his journey as a father of a teenager on the autism spectrum and coming to terms with the toughest question for an autism parent - What after us?  The toughest parenting question My son Ananth just turned 17. Each birthday, along with being a source of joy and celebration about how far he has progressed since his diagnosis and ongoing treatment from the time he was just 1.5 years old, is simultaneously also a source of many new questions and attendant…
  • "It Is Possible For Children With Autism To Perform Theatre On Stage"
    Sarbani Mukherjee Mallick Founder & Executive Director at Bubbles Centre for Autism in a detailed interview on the experience and learnings of putting together a full fledged stage production of Jungle Book with a cast of 50 children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Part 1 of a 2 part series. Why theatre? How does theatre help children and adults on the autism spectrum? One of the major challenges for children on the autism spectrum disorder is social skills. I use to…
  • A girl playing cymbals
    How Music Can Help Persons On The Autism Spectrum
    Dr. Megha Sharda shares insights on the impact of music on individuals on the autism spectrum based on a research project conducted at University of Montreal and McGill University. Tell us about your study on the impact of music on individuals on the autism spectrum. What kind of music was used? How did you select participants and remove bias in selection Music is an area of strength in individuals on the autism spectrum, but until now we did not have neuroscientific evidence supporting its…
  • A shopping assistant helping a blind shopper with a braille shopping list
    When a Store Welcomes Shoppers with Disability
    Retail giant Big Bazaar has opened its stores to persons with disabilities by introducing inclusion initiatives and infrastructural changes that are disabled-friendly. An interview with Vineet Saraiwalla, Inclusion Lead, Future Retail Limited, who has helmed the movement and himself has 90% visual impairment on what needs to be done behind the scenes to make this feasible. It is for the first time that Big Bazaar’s Republic Day sale had an exclusive 2 day preview in all its stores for…
  • Caesar the dog on the left playing with an autistic boy in shorts and vest
    How Our Dog Helped Our Son Engage With The World
    Rohini Subramanian Katriar shares the experience and benefits of bringing in a dog into the life of her son on the autism spectrum. Also, tips if you are thinking of bringing in a pet into your family. We are a family of 5 - 2 of us play acting as adults, 2 of us getting trained in being adults and 1 of us getting away with being a lazy dog!! Hail Caesar….. Caesar is our English labrador, part crazy, part sage and fully adorable. Our son is on the autism spectrum, which makes life fairly…
  • Play Should Be Accessible To Every Child
    Can you imagine a child who has never been to a playground or a park, never been able to swing or slide! For whom open play spaces are forbidding and unfriendly. Today, in India nearly all existing outdoor play spaces are built without keeping in mind the needs of a child with disability. Children with disabilities and developmental differences are forced to stay away from playgrounds because they are inaccessible, do not have appropriate facilities and play infrastructure for them. When…
  • Barnana with her son who is on the autism spectrum. Both are in orange and behind them are blurry reflections in the mirror
    "I Realised My Actual Strength Lies In Me, Not Elsewhere"
    Barnana Chakraborti was a successful professional before she gave it all up to devote full time to her son when he was diagnosed with autism. Her spirit and positivity are indeed something to learn from as she talks about how she overcomes emotional turmoil on a daily basis When did you first notice signs of autism in your son? It was just a month before my son was about to turn two that we visited a paediatrician for cold/ cough. As my child was not communicating in the conventional manner on…