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🌿Autistic Disorder
🌿 Autistic Disorder
Autistic Disorder (commonly referred to as Autism) is a developmental disorder characterized by:
- Significant impairments in social interaction and communication.
- Restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests.
While Autistic Disorder was previously recognized as a distinct diagnosis, today it is considered the most severe form of ASD. Individuals diagnosed with Autistic Disorder typically experience marked deficits in all three core areas of social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests.
📋 Common Symptoms:
1️⃣ Social Communication Deficits:
- Severe impairment in social interactions: Difficulty in forming relationships, understanding social cues, or engaging in typical back-and-forth communication.
- Limited eye contact or lack of shared emotional responses (e.g., rarely showing emotions or sharing interests with others).
- Difficulty with non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions, or body language.
- Limited interest in or absence of peer relationships: Preferring to play alone, with little interest in group activities.
2️⃣ Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors:
- Repetitive body movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking, spinning).
- Inflexible routines: Distress when routines or surroundings are altered.
- Intense interest in specific topics (often narrowly focused or obsessive).
- Stereotyped speech or behavior: Repeating certain phrases (echolalia) or rituals.
- Sensory sensitivities: Overreacting or underreacting to sensory stimuli such as sounds, textures, or lights.
3️⃣ Other Symptoms:
- Delayed language development or absence of speech.
- Absence of imaginative play or difficulty engaging in pretend play.
- Difficulty with emotional regulation, such as intense reactions to changes in routine.
Severity Levels:
ASD (Autistic Disorder) severity is classified based on the level of support required:
- Level 1 (Mild): Needs some support with social communication and behavior.
- Level 2 (Moderate): Requires substantial support.
- Level 3 (Severe): Requires very substantial support in all areas of functioning.
🧠 Causes & Risk Factors:
The exact cause of Autistic Disorder is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute:
1️⃣ Genetic Factors:
- Family history of autism spectrum disorder or related conditions (e.g., intellectual disabilities) increases risk.
- Research indicates multiple genes are involved, and genetic mutations may affect brain development.
2️⃣ Environmental Factors:
- Prenatal factors (maternal infections, advanced paternal age, exposure to certain drugs/toxins).
- Complications during pregnancy or birth may slightly increase the risk of autism.
3️⃣ Neurological Factors:
- Differences in brain structure and function, particularly in regions associated with social behavior and sensory processing (e.g., amygdala, prefrontal cortex).