What is Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder is a disorder that affects development. Here, the word spectrum refers to the range of symptoms and their severity. Generally, the young children with ASD have difficulties with communication, language, social skill and behaviour. In other words, autism spectrum disorders are characterised by social interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviours. As a matter of fact, children with ASD may behave differently or repeat same activities over and over againlike touching the same object repeatedly. However, all the children with ASD don’t have the same problems or behaviours. Usually, the affected children with ASD may show symptoms. They avoid eye contact and prefer to be alone. They don’t like to be embraced. They repeat words and actions. They feel difficulties in expressing their needs and emotions. They are very sensitive to taste, smell and sound. 

Causes of Austism Spectrum Disorder.

Causes of Austism Spectrum Disorder

Research studies show that there is no single cause of this disorder. However, the available data related to this field suggest that this disorder results from different sets of casual factors such as genetic and environmental. 

1. Genetic Factors: Genetic problems seem to play a significant role in ASD. These problems can happen in two ways. 

The first is that something happens during fetal development that alters a gene. The second way is that the child inherits problematic gene/genes from one or both parents.

That is why a child is more likely to have ASD if a parent is affected with ASD. It is a fact that at least 10% children with ASD have a form of genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome. 

2. Environmental Factors: In fact, there is no solid evidence to show that ASD can be caused by anything in the environment like diet or exposure to certain drugs or toxins. However, it is also averred that mothers exposed to high levels of pesticides and air pollution may also be at a higher risk of having a child with ASD. 

3. Brain Development: It has been observed that the brain of children with ASD 

develops differently in growing children. In such children, brain grows at a faster rate during the first three years of childhood. Such children have more cells than they require. Even the connections between the cells are not proper. It may be one of the 

causes of ASD. 

It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, don’t cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic factors, they appear to increase risk.