Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication & the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours.

Source: https://www.1mg.com/articles/5-early-signs-of-autism-in-children/?srsltid=AfmBOorHEjXIDfS1ssQEczc7PxIh1dfEQe2QhtvH-S5R9L63dNB7iqxn

What causes it?

The ongoing has enables clinicians to have a deeper understanding of the disorder, however, findings are still inconclusive at the moment. A combination of genetic & environmental factors seem to play a role in its causation.

It is linked to conditions like infantile spasms, congenital rubella, tuberous sclerosis, Fragile X syndrome.

Evaluation

Early signs of ASD include,

• poor eye contact

• poor response to name

• lack of showing and sharing

• no gesturing by 12 month

• loss of language or social skills

Early signs in preschoolers may include,

• limited pretend play

• intense focus on particular interests

• rigidity

Signs in schol-going children may include,

• concrete or literal thinking

• difficulty in understanding emotions

• they may have an interest forging frienships, but lack conversational skills or appropriate social interaction skills

Management in Siddha Medicine

The goal of treatment is to improve daily functional ability and enhance the quality of life. It is important to intervene as early as possible to ensure that the child can better cope with it.

There is a wide range of non-pharmacological support including;

• Specialist education

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

• Clinical psychology

• Sleep hygiene

• Care agencie

In Siddha Medicine, we categorise this spectrum disorder under what is known as "மாந்தம்'.  The approach that we will take includes a combination of,

• External therapy: Varmam therapy (வர்ம மருத்துவம்) which is a 15-day protocol & subsequently, patients' parents will be taught thodu varmam (தொடு வர்மம்) as well.

• Internal medicine: Muthu parpam, bhrami nei are some of the few medicines prescribed for ASD, however it depends entirely on the child's needs and clinical presentation.

• Dietary advice: There are certain foods that need to be avoided completely, such as packaged foods that contain preservatives. Your physician will suggest a dietary plan based on your child's needs.

• Coaching the care-takers:

While not enough research has been done to elucidate the cause of this disorder, it is well-managed by a myriad of ways. If you see these signs in your child, please consult a physician and discuss the ways in which this can be managed.

References:

1. ICD-11. Published in 2020. Available from: [LINK]

2. National Autistic Society. What is Autism? Published in 2020. Available from: [LINK]

3. BMJ Best Practice. Autism Spectrum Disorder. Published in 2018. Available from: [LINK]

4. The Lancet Psychiatry. ADHD in children and young people: prevalence, care pathways, and service provision. Published in Available from: [LINK]

5. Kohane et al. The Co-Morbidity Burden of Children and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Published in 2012. Available from: [LINK]

6. Ganizadeh, A. Co-morbidity and factor analysis on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder DSM-IV-derived items. Published in 2012. Available from: [LINK]

7. Hodges H, Fealko C, Soares N. Autism spectrum disorder: definition, epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation. Transl Pediatr. 2020 Feb;9(Suppl 1):S55-S65. doi: 10.21037/tp.2019.09.09. PMID: 32206584; PMCID: PMC7082249.