Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

It’s a neurobiological disorder affecting brain- it’s not a disease. A child born with Autism grows old with autism. An Autistic person may lack abilities to Communicate, may not develop speech, to say what he wants, may show behaviors that you may misunderstand. Autism can range from mild to severe.The world around doesn’t make a lot sense to an autistic person, so he/she may seem to be aloof.Autistic persons may lack flexibility to adopt change, they are often repetitive and rigid.. Symptoms usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood.

Different people with autism can have very different symptoms. Autism spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a word to club a group of disorders with similar features.It’s a “spectrum” under which one person may have mild symptoms, while another may have serious symptoms. But they both have an autism spectrum disorder.

ASD includes -

• Autistic disorder
• Asperger syndrome
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS)
• Rett Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

There is no cure for autism, nor is there one single treatment for autism spectrum disorders. But there are ways to help minimize the symptoms of autism and to maximize learning. In AHEAD we provide Behavior management therapy. Special Speech-language therapyis provided improve their ability to communicate and interact with others.Occupational therapists are working to restructure tasks to match student’s needs and abilities. Physical therapists design activities and exercise to build motor control and improve posture and balance. Special Educators are assessing and designing Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to help guide the child’s school experiences. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricycles, psychoactive/anti-psychotics, stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs are among the medications that a health care provider might use to treat symptoms of autism spectrum disorders