How to prevent your child from getting autism

Autism spectrum disorder - Symptoms and causes

Overview

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome," which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society — socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms.

While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

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Symptoms

Some children show signs of autism spectrum disorder in early infancy, such as reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they've already acquired. Signs usually are seen by age 2 years.

Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence. Other children with the disorder have normal to high intelligence — they learn quickly, yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting to social situations.

Because of the unique mixture of symptoms in each child, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. It's generally based on the level of impairments and how they impact the ability to function.

Below are some common signs shown by people who have autism spectrum disorder.

Social communication and interaction

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:

Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times
Resists cuddling and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world
Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
Doesn't speak or has delayed speech, or loses previous ability to say words or sentences
Can't start a conversation or keep one going, or only starts one to make requests or label items
Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
Repeats words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them
Doesn't appear to understand simple questions or directions
Doesn't express emotions or feelings and appears unaware of others' feelings
Doesn't point at or bring objects to share interest
Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive
Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people's facial expressions, body postures or tone of voice

Patterns of behavior

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, including any of these signs:

Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging
Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language
Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn't understand the overall purpose or function of the object
Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
Doesn't engage in imitative or make-believe play
Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus
Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods, or refusing foods with a certain texture

As they mature, some children with autism spectrum disorder become more engaged with others and show fewer disturbances in behavior. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, eventually may lead normal or near-normal lives. Others, however, continue to have difficulty with language or social skills, and the teen years can bring worse behavioral and emotional problems.

When to see a doctor

Babies develop at their own pace, and many don't follow exact timelines found in some parenting books. But children with autism spectrum disorder usually show some signs of delayed development before age 2 years.

If you're concerned about your child's development or you suspect that your child may have autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor. The symptoms associated with the disorder can also be linked with other developmental disorders.

Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child:

Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months
Doesn't mimic sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months
Doesn't gesture — such as point or wave — by 14 months
Doesn't say single words by 16 months
Doesn't play "make-believe" or pretend by 18 months
Doesn't say two-word phrases by 24 months
Loses language skills or social skills at any age

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Causes

Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect brain development or the way that brain cells communicate, or they may determine the severity of symptoms. Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously.
Environmental factors. Researchers are currently exploring whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder.

No link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder

One of the greatest controversies in autism spectrum disorder centers on whether a link exists between the disorder and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism spectrum disorder and any vaccines. In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been retracted due to poor design and questionable research methods.

Avoiding childhood vaccinations can place your child and others in danger of catching and spreading serious diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles or mumps.

Risk factors

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is rising. It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting or a real increase in the number of cases, or both.

Autism spectrum disorder affects children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child's risk. These may include:

Your child's sex. Boys are about four times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than girls are.
Family history. Families who have one child with autism spectrum disorder have an increased risk of having another child with the disorder. It's also not uncommon for parents or relatives of a child with autism spectrum disorder to have minor problems with social or communication skills themselves or to engage in certain behaviors typical of the disorder.
Other disorders. Children with certain medical conditions have a higher than normal risk of autism spectrum disorder or autism-like symptoms. Examples include fragile X syndrome, an inherited disorder that causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis, a condition in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a genetic condition occurring almost exclusively in girls, which causes slowing of head growth, intellectual disability and loss of purposeful hand use.
Extremely preterm babies. Babies born before 26 weeks of gestation may have a greater risk of autism spectrum disorder.
Parents' ages. There may be a connection between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but more research is necessary to establish this link.

Complications

Problems with social interactions, communication and behavior can lead to:

Problems in school and with successful learning
Employment problems
Inability to live independently
Social isolation
Stress within the family
Victimization and being bullied

Prevention

There's no way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, but there are treatment options. Early diagnosis and intervention is most helpful and can improve behavior, skills and language development. However, intervention is helpful at any age. Though children usually don't outgrow autism spectrum disorder symptoms, they may learn to function well.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Prevention of Autism: Is it Possible?

Is autism preventable? You might be wondering how to avoid autism during pregnancy. Although there’s currently no cure or definitive way to prevent autism spectrum disorder, studies have found that certain actions can help pregnant women lower the risk of having a child with ASD. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disability that causes significant development delays, especially in social functioning. According to Autism Speaks, one in 45 children in the United States have been diagnosed with autism.

Women who are pregnant (or planning to be) can develop prevention strategies for autism to increase their chances of delivering a healthy baby. Research in the New England Journal of Medicine found that disparities in brain development begin as early as the second trimester for autistic children. Starting at conception, the following tips may help expectant mothers prevent autism during pregnancy.

See Also: What are the 10 Most Common Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

How to Help Prevent Autism Spectrum Disorder by Reducing Exposure to Toxins

Can you prevent autism? The scientific community has discovered evidence that environmental factors can be a risk factor for autism symptoms and ASD.

Airborne Toxins

One Harvard study found that children born to mothers exposed to high pollution levels had twice the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Women should reduce their exposure to pollution from cars and trucks as much as possible.

Pollution from traffic isn’t the only risk factor for autism. A study in Demark showed that there may be a connection between autism and higher than normal levels of sulfur dioxide found in the shipping industry.

Pregnant women can limit airborne toxins by:

wearing masks
filling their gas tank after dark
staying indoors when air quality is low
avoiding areas with high traffic, especially when exercising

Access to Clean Water

Studies have shown that the water we drink may have contaminants that could be connected to higher rates of autism within certain communities. Heavy metals like lead and aluminum are known to cause health problems and affect brain development. Our drinking water can also contain pesticides and manganese.

Pharmaceutical drugs can also get into our water supply. Antidepressants in drinking water have been linked to an increased risk of autism. When a water supply is located downstream from a water treatment plant, pharmaceuticals that are excreted through human waste or flushed down the toilet can make it into the drinking water.

Filtering your water or drinking water that you know is free from contaminants can prevent these toxic chemicals from entering the body. Women who are pregnant should be especially careful drinking tap water.

Switching to Green Personal Care Products

Women can make the switch to green personal care products to lessen exposure to risk factors like harmful chemicals. A study by the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shoed that in utero exposure to phthalate is linked to autistic traits in boys. Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals found in cosmetics and other products. Taking the appropriate amount of folic acid may block the effects of phthalate while pregnant and aid in autism prevention.

Can Autism Be Prevented by Maintaining a Nutritious Diet?

While you may not be able to prevent autism, there are things you can do to lower your risk of having a child with ASD. Women can lower the risk for autism by eating colorful, organic diet rich in green vegetables and fruits containing antioxidants. Doctors recommend eating at least 80 grams of protein per day from lean sources like:

turkey
chicken
nuts

Many health experts support reducing “white foods,” including bread and sugar. These white foods can be heavily processed and contain fewer nutrients than their whole counterparts. When foods are refined many vitamins and minerals are removed.

Folic Acid

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggest soon-to-be mothers take 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid to assist with their child’s development. Folic acid is needed by the body to help form the neural tube. There is research to show that taking this B vitamin before and early in pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of ASD.

Vitamin D

Increasing intake of vitamin D has been linked to better neurological development in fetuses. One study found that women who were deficient in vitamin D halfway through their pregnancy were 2.42 times more likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder that a woman with a normal vitamin D level. The reasons are unknown and more research is needed on a possible connection between vitamin D and ASD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Doctors recommend pregnant women should get enough omega-3 fatty acids. A study from Harvard School of Public Health found a link between an unbalanced consumption of omega fatty acids during pregnancy and a risk of autism spectrum disorder. They found that children born to mothers who did not consume adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are 53% more likely to be born with ASD.

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is another risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. A modest weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy is optimal. A study published by Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, found a possible link between maternal prenatal weight gain and ASD. They found that the risk of a child developing autism increased significantly with pregnancy weight gain but not pre-pregnancy BMI. This research suggests that autism has an underlying gestational etiology.

How to Prevent Autism During Pregnancy by Staying in Good Health

Regular check-ups with a family physician and obstetrician are important. Maternal health throughout pregnancy has a significant impact on unborn children. Mothers should be immunized against German measles (rubella) and get an influenza shot. Research at the MIND Institute found that viral infections can interfere with the baby’s brain cells and alter neural connections.

Gestational Diabetes and Weight

Taking all precautions to avoid gestational diabetes can help lower the risk for autism. Obesity and diabetes in the mother have been linked to autism. Both of these conditions are known to induce inflammation or impair immune signaling. A meta-analysis of 32 papers published in 2018 concluded that women who are overweight or obese before pregnancy are more likely than a woman of a healthy weight to have a child diagnosed with autism.

Prescription Medications

Pregnant women should make sure they are taking prescriptions under medical supervision. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, thalidomide was prescribed to women for morning sickness. It was later found to cause birth defects. The drug, valproate, is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar. It is also linked to autism when taken during pregnancy. The jury is still out on many other medications including antidepressants. Since antidepressants treat an underlying mental-health condition, it is hard to discern whether there is a connection to autism through the medication or if it is solely genetic.

Mercury Dental Fillings

Having a dentist remove mercury-based amalgam fillings before conception could be beneficial. In the past, dentists used mercury fillings on human teeth. We now know that mercury is poisonous and should not be used. Women who are pregnant or trying to trying to become pregnant and have mercury fillings should talk to their dentist about whether it is safe to remove the fillings.

Cesarean Sections

Babies’ neurological function is naturally enhanced by passing through the birth canal, so avoiding unnecessary Cesarean sections can help. A case study was conducted in Saudi Arabie in 2016. Their data supported an association between cesarean section and autism spectrum disorder. These results support the findings of other such studies. Obviously, c-sections are needed in the event of birth complications. Based on this information, unnecessary c-sections should be avoided to lower the risk for autism spectrum disorder.

Parental Age

A study in the Molecular Psychiatry journal found that autism rates are 15 percent higher in children born to mothers in their 40s and 66 percent higher for fathers over 50. This study echos the findings of other studies that suspect a link between parental age and autism.

Fathers in their 40s and 50s might have higher odds of having children with autism spectrum disorder because their sperm has accumulated many spontaneous mutations that are passed down to their offspring. As sperm cells divide, their DNA is copied, leaving room for mutations to occur.

There have been fewer studies conducted on maternal age and autism risk. Egg cells reproduce, although to a lesser extent than sperm cells, and could pass on mutations. A study in California reviewed birth records between 1990 and 1999. There were 5 million babies born and over 12,000 autism cases. They found that women over 40 were 77% more likely than women under the age of 25 to have a child diagnosed with autism. That percentage decreases with age.

Good pregnancy planning and the above health-conscious steps can effectively help expecting women do everything they can in preventing autism.

Genetics Play a Huge Role in Autism

Autism is a complex disorder without a single known cause or “trigger.” In fact, autism is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Scientists agree that genetics are responsible for up to 90 percent of the autism risk. Whether a child develops ASD is usually out of the parents’ control.

Certain genetic disorders are associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder. Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause behavioral challenges. Fragile X can also cause learning challenges along with various physical conditions. It’s believed to be the leading genetic cause of autism. One in three people with Fragile X will also have a diagnosis of autism.

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome is another genetic condition related to autism. Between 50% and 75% of individuals diagnosed with CdLS have autism characteristics. Symptoms like social anxiety and extreme shyness are prevalent in this population. Selective mutism is also common.

There are other risk factors for autism spectrum disorder that are beyond a parent’s control. These include:

the sex of your child
family history
other disorders

According to research, boys are up to four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than girls. Historically, males have been studied and diagnosed at a greater rate than females. This could be because males are actually at greater risk for autism. It could also be because screening tests aren’t always picking up ASD in females, especially among those considered high functioning. More research is needed in this area.

Family history can also play a role in autism risk. Parents who have one child with ASD are at an increased risk of having another child with the same diagnosis. Relatives and parents may have communication deficits or problems communicating that can be mild symptoms of autism.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there is no playbook that can help give a definitive answer to the question “Can autism be prevented?” There are certainly things you can do to reduce the risk, but there are no guarantees. If you suspect your child may have autism, early intervention is key. Seek the advice of a medical professional who can complete appropriate screenings. Reach out to therapists early who can help optimize future outcomes for children with autism. Most importantly, understand that you are not alone and help is available for children diagnosed with ASD.

Is it possible to protect a child from autism? Is prevention possible?

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience - 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the Author

Publication Date: May 28, 2019

Updated: March 25, 2021

Despite popular blogs and articles to the contrary, protecting a child from developing autism is virtually impossible. Yes, you can avoid some of the risk factors (described below), but since autism is not always, but only sometimes inherited, there are no simple “wash your hands” recommendations to prevent the development of autism.

Content of the article:

1 Known risk factors for autism
2 Risk factors for “Autism-like” disorders or autism spectrum disorders.
3 Mythical or dubious risk factors for autism.

Known risk factors for autism

1. Autism can occur if the mother-to-be takes certain medications during pregnancy. These are anticonvulsants, primarily valproates.

2. There are some studies that show that older parents are more likely to have children with autism.

3. Some studies show that children who are born prematurely are more likely to develop autism.

4. There is also a hereditary predisposition to this disease, the risk of having a sick child is higher in a family where there are already children with autism.

Risk factors for “Autism-Like” Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Because the range of clinical manifestations of autism is so wide and includes people with such diverse sets of symptoms, it is easy to confuse autism spectrum disorder with, say, language delay, social anxiety, apraxia, learning disabilities, sensory processing disorder, and even hearing loss. All of these problems can (and usually do) be included in autism, so it can be difficult to separate "true" autism from "autism-like disorder."

Autism-like disorders can be caused by a wide range of diseases, genetic abnormalities and environmental triggers. For example, a child with fetal alcohol syndrome may have many of the characteristics of a child with autism - and may even be diagnosed with autism in addition to

FAS. Learning delay can be caused by lead poisoning and, depending on how and when the delay manifests itself, a child can be diagnosed with autism as well as lead poisoning.

Mythical or dubious risk factors for autism.

Over the years, dozens of reasons have been cited in connection with autism. From “too much cable television” to “airplane footprints”, to poor parenting to vaccines, ultrasounds and cell phones, just about everything in our modern world is under scrutiny. And no. You cannot protect your child from autism by avoiding technology, preventive medicine, or saying no when your child misbehaves. These things do not cause autism, so avoiding them may not protect your child from developing autism symptoms.

Can you protect your child from autism? Yes and no...

There is no doubt that you can protect your child from the many environmental factors that can cause one or more of the symptoms associated with autism. For example, you can:

Avoid exposure to potentially toxic drugs, alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or environmental hazards during pregnancy;
Make sure that the paint in your house is lead-free and does not peel;
Plan pregnancy in advance, do not postpone until a later age, it is better if the father of the unborn child is less than 45 years old;
If you are at risk of preterm labor, strictly follow your doctor's advice for prolonging your pregnancy;
See your child regularly, and be sure to check for and rule out problems such as hearing loss, allergies, and other factors that can create an autism-like syndrome;

On the other hand, there are many potentially significant factors risks that are beyond your control. For example:

You will not be able to control your genetic makeup (or your partner's genetic makeup
If you live in certain areas or work in certain exposed industries, you may find it difficult to avoid exposure to chemicals and pollutants.
No matter how careful you are, you cannot prevent preterm labor.

While it is almost impossible to protect a child from autism, it is possible to help a child with autism or symptoms of autism live a full life. The key to success is to pay close attention to developmental issues and use all treatment options as early as possible.

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Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich

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Autism: what can parents do to help their child?

The first 2-3 years are especially difficult for a couple who have had their first child. Young mothers and fathers are still learning to be parents, and it is quite difficult to understand that the development of their child is different from others. It's even harder to accept that your baby may have a mental disorder. Childhood autism, or as it is now also called, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), today occurs in every 88th child. How to recognize the disease and what should parents pay attention to? These and other questions related to autism were answered by the Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Grechany Severin Vyacheslavovich.

What is autism? Is this disease born or is it an acquired condition in the environment in which the child grows up?

Childhood autism is a congenital disease. The fact of its occurrence cannot be the result of such external causes as, for example, the social or cultural level of the family. The decisive role is played by the biological factor that determines the birth of such a child. Of course, there are external circumstances that, ceteris paribus, provoke the appearance of symptoms of this disorder - a severe viral infection, in some cases even a sharp change in the family situation, for example, a sudden separation from the mother, hospitalization of the child in the hospital and more. Often an autistic child is the firstborn in the family, and parents do not yet know how the child should develop. Subsequently, they recall that they often thought about why their child did not develop like other children, but still they did not suspect serious deviations. Therefore, this day - April 2 - just calls for adults to take a closer look at the child in general and notice any anomalies in his development as early as possible. And whether this is autism or some other disease - this should be decided by the doctor.

How can parents tell if their child has the condition?

Unfortunately, often parents do not immediately pay attention to the atypical, age-specific behavior of their child. This circumstance gave rise to some myths that autism can occur with the wrong parenting approach or after some medical interventions, including preventive vaccinations. This cannot be believed, since childhood autism also goes through a latent phase in its development, when its symptoms are almost imperceptible, but this does not mean that it was not there from birth. However, you need to know the so-called "red flags of autism", with the manifestation of which it is worth contacting a specialist. These include:

child does not use pointing gesture,
does not make eye contact, does not smile in response to a smile,
does not respond to his name or requests addressed to him,
does not hear speech, does not understand why adults are turning to him,
does not say a 2-word phrase by age 2,
does not use toys for its intended purpose.

Often the child does not develop a plot game. For example, a car for a boy is not an image of a car that he saw on the street, but only wheels that can be turned. With the help of a toy, a child cannot reproduce the plot seen in life. In the same way, for a girl, a doll is not an image of a little man whom she can put to sleep or feed, but an indifferent object with moving parts. It is also worth paying attention to how the child communicates, whether he can follow the simple instructions of an adult, and concentrate his attention. If parents notice these features, then you need to see a doctor.

Is it possible to cure autism or just bring adaptation to life to a certain level? Which doctor to contact in this case?

Any specialist can suspect autism. Suppose the district pediatrician assumes that the child has autism and advises parents to contact a psychiatrist. However, it is important to understand that the final diagnosis may differ from the initial one, and there are other mental disorders besides childhood autism at an early age.

Is child autism treated at the Pediatric University Clinic?

We don’t have a separate department yet, besides, working with an autistic child is a long-term, often many-year work of a large team of different specialists, including not only doctors, but also correctional teachers, clinical psychologists and their varieties, rehabilitation specialists etc. However, we consult such children and their mothers at the stage of early diagnosis, when parents, for various reasons, are not yet ready to go to official psychiatric institutions. Thus, difficult and doubtful diagnostic cases are solved, the very first recommendations are given. For example, I receive at the Multidisciplinary Center, Vera Vladimirovna Pozdnyak takes at the Consultative and Diagnostic Center. We provide primary care to these children. We give advice on how to treat a possible disease in a child, how to behave with such children and what options for drug therapy exist. Most moms walk away grateful as they get answers to questions that have haunted them for a long time.

As far as treatment is concerned, we do not provide it. In addition, parents, faced with the problem of autism, must understand that it is impossible to completely cure it, and they will have to accept that throughout their life the child will be special, unlike all others. There has never been such a case that the same classic autism ended in complete adaptation in society, even if the child at some stage was able to master the profession. Although it is believed that with age the diagnosis of "autism" cannot be reconsidered for a child, but most of the actual "autistic" traits disappear on their own over time. And already at the age of 6-7, other problems related to behavior, underdevelopment of abstract concepts, misunderstanding of the context of communication, i.e. purely intellectual difficulties, come to the fore. In the future, parents will need to adapt the child to life with what is, including special requirements for the learning process. At home, you should also follow a special system of rules developed individually for a particular child.

How can parents help their child cope with autism? Can you give any recommendations for them?

The most important recommendation, from our point of view, is to initially understand the child's capabilities, not to do too much and not to set too high goals. The biggest conflict arises precisely when parents are faced with a contradiction between the real abilities of the child and their own ambitions for him. And everything negative that can happen later - protests, disobedience, experiencing disappointment and despair - all this comes precisely from this conflict.

The main principle for parents is to gain a sense of confidence as a caregiver and get rid of excessive feelings of guilt. You need to know that an autistic child is very sensitive to the internal state of his parents, easily reacts to their anxiety, confusion. With regard to mental development, one should be prepared for the fact that it will take a long time to achieve success, even small ones. It does not happen that a child falls asleep with one person and wakes up with another person.

Another common mistake is the opinion that the most important thing for a child is to learn to talk. This is not true. If speech does not appear on its own, then there are objective reasons for this. As soon as the prerequisites for pronouncing words are formed, the child will begin to speak independently without our help. Therefore, you should not artificially try to accelerate the development of such a child.

Is it possible to say that modern communication devices, computers, gadgets, mobile phones can develop autism in a child? And do they somehow affect children who have already been diagnosed with this disease? (Can modern technology help to socialize or, on the contrary, contribute to the fact that the child withdraws more and more into himself?)

In autism, this is neither good nor bad. There can be no universal recommendation here, everything is individual. It is important for a mother to understand whether her child is now ready to master society or whether she still needs to wait, subsequently carefully “grafting” him to life. Here the advice of a defectologist, a psychiatrist will help. True, very often the mothers of such children are guided only by their own opinion, without accepting someone else's help. This happens if their relatives betrayed them, the father left, the grandparents did not accept the child, and the mother is left alone with the problem.

Why is autism thought to be more common in boys? And why is it more characteristic of them?

Indeed, this is a fundamental fact. And childhood autism is not the only example. A lot of mental disorders occur more often in boys. Why this is so is hard to say. There are many hypotheses for this, but an exhaustive explanation has not yet been received.

Maybe there is some relationship between the mother's condition during pregnancy and the child's subsequently diagnosed autistic disorder? Is it possible to somehow predict the birth of a child with autism? What are the medical reasons?

Mothers often ask me: “Tell me, please, where, at what stage did I make a mistake? What did I do wrong? Unfortunately, despite the fact that we live in the 21st century, there are no prerequisites to predict the birth of such a child. With the exception of the examination of the amniotic fluid for gross genetic anomalies. If this is observed, then we can say with a high degree of probability that a clinical picture of autism should be expected here. In all other cases, it is difficult to predict anything. There is no data for this.

Is it true that autism is more common in children today than it was 10, 20, 30 years ago?

It is believed that the number of children with autism has not increased, diagnosis has improved. This happened due to the spread of information about autism and its manifestations. As a result, parents began to pay more attention to what they had not noticed before. And, as a result, the number of visits to doctors for the purpose of making a diagnosis has increased. What used to cause confusion and misunderstanding in parents, now prompts a search for answers in specialized literature, the Internet. As a result, the symptoms of autism began to be detected more often and at an earlier age. And here there is another extreme - the emerging trend towards overdiagnosis of this disorder. A special term has even appeared - autism spectrum disorders, the role of which is seen in drawing more attention of parents to any symptoms of deviant development, closely or remotely resembling childhood autism, in order to promptly apply for practical assistance.

Can an autistic child go to a regular school, or is it better to send him to a special school?

There are inclusive types of education that allow such children to study in a public school. A group of 3-4 such children is recruited, and most of the time they study with a separate teacher. Periodically, the teacher selectively leads, as far as possible, such children to classes with healthy children. But the need for such classes must be considered individually. All possible consequences should be taken into account. For example, in practice, children with autism are not very physically healthy, they are characterized by weak immunity - this increases their risk of getting respiratory and other infectious diseases, which usually occur in a more severe form in children with autism.