Support and therapy can help individuals manage the challenges ASD presents

(MainsGS2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources)

Context:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects social communication, interactions, and behavior. 
• ASD affects people in different ways, and DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has new descriptions to help understand these differences. 

Identifying autism:

• Getting an autism diagnosis for a child is a two-step process in which first the child receives developmental check-ups during routine healthcare visits at around 18 and 24 months old. 
• During these check-ups, a doctor talks to the parent or caregiver about the child’s behaviour, development, and family history, and looks for signs of autism.
• If the doctor suspects autism, the child will move on to the second stage of evaluation, involving a team of healthcare professionals that will conduct further assessments to determine if the child has autism and what kind of support they may need.
• It is important to seek an evaluation if you have concerns about your child’s development or behaviour, as an early diagnosis can help the child reach their full potential.

• The road to a diagnosis will include various professionals, including child psychiatrists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists. 
• These experts will evaluate a child’s cognitive and language skills, sensory issues, and other concerns.
• For older individuals, symptoms of autism may be noticed by caregivers, parents, teachers, or other people who interact with them, leading to a medical evaluation. 
• Diagnosis can be particularly challenging in these instances, as the symptoms can be similar to other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Methods to screen for autism:

• Doctors have many methods to screen for autism, including informal observations and formal assessments.
• One common screening tool is the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) Revised which is a 20-question test for children aged 16-30 months. 
• However, recent evidence suggests that M-CHAT may not be as effective at identifying autism in female children and those from minority, urban, and low-income backgrounds.
• The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a general developmental screen that assesses developmental challenges at specific ages. 
• STAT has 12 activities to assess play, communication, and imitation among toddlers and young children. 
• The Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status is a parent interview designed to identify developmental delays in areas such as motor skills, language, and self-help.
• The Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism is designed to assess the severity of autism. 
• Similarly, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale rates individuals on a scale from ‘normal’ to ‘severe’ and yields a composite score indicating a level of autism.

Level of support required:

• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ASD is considered to be a single disorder. 
• The severity of ASD is determined by assigning a level of support based on the individual’s need for assistance and the impact of their symptoms on their daily lives. 
• The level that the doctor assigns will reflect how much external assistance a person is likely to need for their day-to-day activities.

Consult qualified healthcare professionals:

• Signs of ASD can vary, but difficulty with social interactions, communication challenges, repetitive behaviours, and restricted interests are common.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for better outcomes and support for families. 
• To ensure a culturally sensitive approach to assessment and treatment, it is important to consult qualified healthcare professionals experienced in diagnosing and treating ASD in India.

Conclusion:

• ASD is a complex and multifaceted disorder that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to improving outcomes for children with ASD and their families.