Autism affects more individuals than most people think. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every 160 children has autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) covers a range of conditions. It begins in childhood and may persist until adulthood. Usually, ASD can be apparent during the first five years of a child’s life.
Parents continuously look for ways to help their children with autism. There are various therapies and alternative treatments that are available right now. One of the most promising treatments that modern society has found is the stem cell transplant for autism.
Types of Autism
As stated earlier, ASD does not refer to a single disorder. According to the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that the Americal Psychiatric Association (APA) published, there are five subtypes of ASD. These subtypes are also known as specifiers. A person can have one or more specifiers.
- May or may not have an intellectual impairment
- May or may not have a language impairment
- Can be associated with a genetic or medical condition or an environmental factor
- Can be associated with another mental, behavioral, or neurodevelopmental disorder
- May come with catatonia
People who are under the autism spectrum may have also received a diagnosis of other disorders, such as autistic disorder, pervasive development disorder (PDD)- not otherwise specified (NOS), Asperger’s syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder.
Symptoms
As with other disorders, it is necessary to take note of symptoms. Most symptoms of autism are evident during a person’s early childhood. You may notice these as early as 12 to 24 months. However, there are some cases wherein the symptoms have appeared later. Meanwhile, others have observed symptoms earlier than the average age.
Among the early symptoms that you should look out for is a delay in social and language development. Generally, two categories divide the symptoms of autism.
Problems with interaction and communication
These problems refer to various issues of a child with communication. The child may find it difficult to share emotions and interests or maintain a conversation. It can also include Nonverbal communication. Check if your child finds it hard to maintain eye contact or read someone’s body language. You should also watch out for possible difficulty in the development or maintenance of relationships.
Repetitive or restricted patterns of activities or behavior
This category refers to repetitive motions, movements, and speech patterns. Children who have rigid adherence to routines, those who have less or more sensitivity to specific sensory information, and those who have a fixated interest may be under this category.
No one knows the exact cause of ASD. No study has pointed to a single cause. However, there are risk factors that some experts think can affect a child. Many think that both genetics and environmental factors may cause the development of ASD.
- An immediate family member has autism
- Genetic mutation
- Some genetic disorders
- Born to older parents
- Low birth weight
- Metabolic imbalance
- Exposure to toxins and heavy metals
- Viral infection
- Exposure to some medications
Intervention For Development
Studies show that early childhood intervention is crucial in promoting optimal development for people with ASD. Parents should include in their routine the monitoring of their child’s development. It is also best to not neglect proper child healthcare.
If you find out that your child has an ASD, it is necessary to educate yourself and gather information as much as you can to help attend to his or her needs. People who have ASD have complex healthcare needs. They may also require a different approach to education and care.
Treatment of ASD
Currently, there is no single cure for ASD. However, there are various approaches to treat autism. These involve different therapies, such as behavioral, play, occupational, physical, and speech therapies. There are also alternative treatments that help manage autism. These include vitamins, chelation therapy, melatonin for sleep issues, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Perhaps one of the most promising treatments that many people have heard of is stem cell transplant for autism. The idea behind this process is not as complicated as it seems. Professionals use stem cells to replace the cells in a patient’s body that do not work properly. This way, the healthy cells will be able to help the immune system function well. The result is the reduction of the effects of autism.
Many members of the medical community know how promising stem cells can be in treating various conditions. Since the conduct of the first study on the use of stem cell transplant for autism, many individuals benefited. Your child can be the next success story.
