2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY

2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY: Centre for Public Health, Zambia in collaboration with National Autism Association Zambia organized an awareness walk and talk in the beautiful city of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.

Autism is one of the conditions that are not receiving adequate attention in developing countries. Awareness about this condition is still very low hence we need to work hard and educate our people about it, especially the importance of early detection.

What is autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD.

People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people.  The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. For example, some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.

ASD begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children show ASD symptoms within the first 12 months of life. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months of age or later. Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had.

As children with ASD become adolescents and young adults, they may have difficulties developing and maintaining friendships, communicating with peers and adults, or understanding what behaviors are expected in school or on the job. They may come to the attention of healthcare providers because they also have conditions such as anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which occur more often in people with ASD than in people without ASD.

SYMPTOMS/SIGNS

Social Communication and Interaction Skills

Social communication and interaction skills can be challenging for people with ASD.

Baby – Human Age, Waving – Gesture, Child, Happiness, Looking At Camera

Examples of social communication and social interaction characteristics related to ASD can include

Avoids or does not keep eye contact

Does not respond to name by 9 months of age

Does not show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age

Do not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age

Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (for example, does not wave goodbye)

Do not share interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, shows you an object that they like)

Does not point to showing you something interesting by 18 months of age

Does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age

Do not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months of age

Do not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months of age

Does not sing, dance, or act for you by 60 months of age

Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors or Interests

People with ASD have behaviors or interests that can seem unusual. These behaviors or interests set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction only.

Examples of restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests related to ASD can include

Close-up of a child playing with toy blocks on the carpet.

Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed

Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)

Plays with toys the same way every time

Is focused on parts of objects (for example, wheels)

Gets upset by minor changes

Has obsessive interests

Must follow certain routines

Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles

Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look or feel

Other Characteristics

Most people with ASD have other related characteristics. These might include

Delayed language skills

Delayed movement skills

Delayed cognitive or learning skills

Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior

Epilepsy or seizure disorder

Unusual eating and sleeping habits

Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)

Unusual mood or emotional reactions

Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry

Lack of fear or more fear than expected

(Credit to Center of Disease and Control, USA)

2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY, ZAMBIA
2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY, ZAMBIA

2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY

2 thoughts on “2022 WORLD AUTISM DAY

  1. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.

    I have read this post and if I could I wish
    to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.

    I want to read more things about it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top