Autism

About 1 in 100 children in India under age 10 has autism, and nearly 1 in 8 has at least one neurodevelopmental condition. The estimates are based on the first rigorous study of its kind in the country.

The ICD-11 updates the diagnostic criteria for autism, and is now more in line the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association. This is to say that it includes Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and certain other generalised developmental disorders, within the category of ‘Autism’.
With regards to the described characteristics of autism, the ICD-11 also includes the same two categories as the DSM-5: difficulties in interaction and social communication on the one hand, and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours on the other. It thus removes a third characteristic listed in the previous edition of the ICD, related to language problems. Both classifications also point to the importance of examining unusual sensory sensitivities, which is common among people on the autism spectrum.

The best treatment for ASD must combine several disciplines - behavioral, developmental, academic, and medications. The treatment must be customized to each individual child's requirements and must follow the general principle of trying to achieve the best possible functional ability using the available resources as needed.

Behavioral modification may be very helpful. Children with ASD may assume a wild behavior that if not corrected may lead to severe, life threatening behaviors that may require extreme measures. Early strict behavioral modifications may prevent future use of medications and institutionalization.

Parents must remember! If the family changes their normal behavior and assumes abnormal routines (in order to accommodate to the child's abnormal behaviors and prevent his temper tantrum), instead of the family teaching the child normal behavior, the entire family becomes behaviorally disrupted and the child with ASD loses his chance to learn normal, socially accepted behavior.

Autism is considered to be on a spectrum. It is called a spectrum because some people have only a few or mild symptoms while others have many or severe symptoms.

Characteristics of Autism Can Include:

trouble using and understanding language or certain aspects of language such as sarcasm, expressions, and body language.
difficulty taking in sensory input in an ordinary way. For example, a vacuum cleaner may sound overly loud, a smell may be extra strong, or the feel of something may be extra itchy.
a need for a particular routine so they know what to expect as they can become frustrated when things don’t go the way they had expected.
trouble recognizing another person’s opinion or understanding another person’s feelings.
difficulty working on or participating in activities with no clear ending (e.g., an open ended writing activity, a class lecture)
difficulty switching from one activity to another, especially if they have to switch from something enjoyable to something not enjoyable (I think everyone can relate to that).
difficulty organizing themselves in productive play when not directed or given specific instructions.