Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), popularly known as autism, is a term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect a person’s attitude, social skills, and communication. It is found in people around the world, more often in boys than girls. The disorder has no cure and continues throughout a person’s life; however, a few treatments and remedies help deal with the symptoms to make it more manageable in patients.

Symptoms
The severity of the disease varies from person to person. And not everyone who suffers from it shows the same signs. However, the following are three factors that may help identify it in most cases:

Impact on social interaction
People with autism find it difficult to socialize and communicate with others. They often feel anxious while interacting in social settings. They hesitate to initiate conversation and find it difficult to make eye contact and read another person’s nonverbal cues. They also find it hard to understand another person’s viewpoints and do not get sarcasm and metaphors. However, this does not apply to everyone with this condition; some might enjoy social engagements and be highly active.

Impact on communication skills
Communication can be verbal as well as nonverbal. Irrespective, people with autism find it difficult to communicate with others. Children do not develop efficient language skills and fail to understand what others tell them. They show characteristics like slow language development, poor nonverbal communication skills, and limited conversational interests.

Repetitive behavior
Stimming is common. Patients show repetitive acts in motor skills or speech. For example, they fidget with their hands, keep shaking their legs, repeat the same statements or questions, etc. They might also develop sensory processing dysfunction, which affects how their brains process sensory information.

If the above symptoms persist, the individual should be referred to a health professional. While no biological tests exist to diagnose autism, healthcare practitioners study a person’s behavior and development over time to identify the disorder. In the case of children, doctors may wait for the child to turn two to make a reliable judgment.

Causes
Doctors have not been able to identify the exact cause of this health condition. But they believe genetics and environmental factors play a role in its development:

Genetics
Experts suggest that rare chromosome abnormalities or gene mutations could lead to the development of autism. It can also result from other genetic disorders like fragile X syndrome. Some of these mutations can be inherited, while some can develop during the individual’s lifetime.

Environmental factors
While further research is required to establish their effects, factors like viral infections, air pollutants, specific treatments, and pregnancy complications are said to trigger this disorder in some cases.

Therapy options
There is no perfect treatment for autism, and the disorder cannot be cured. It is a lifelong disease. However, as mentioned, treatments can help manage the symptoms to improve the patient’s quality of life. Although the therapies may vary from person to person, here are some popular options that may be used:

Behavioral therapies
Several therapies help reduce problematic behaviors and teach patients new skills. Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is a widely-used option. It helps kids learn new skills and teaches how to apply them to multiple situations.

Family therapies
People dealing with autism need support and understanding. They need non-judgmental help from their loved ones, service providers, and extended family. Keeping this in mind, family therapies are offered to the patient’s family members. They are taught how to manage problematic behaviors best and make sense of difficult situations.

Educational therapies
Autistic kids respond well to highly structured educational programs that include activities to improve social skills and communication. An educator may work one-on-one with the child, usually outside school.

Depending on the child’s needs, other therapies may also be recommended; for instance, speech therapy to improve communication skills, and physical therapy to improve movement and balance. Further, doctors may recommend treatments to manage behavioral problems in hyperactive children, depending on their symptoms and other health factors.

Autism results from problems in brain development and impacts how a person perceives things, socializes with others, communicates, and thinks. This neurological disorder begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. There is no direct cure for autism; treatments only help to reduce the symptoms, including severe aggression and self-destructive behavior. Various structured programs are also available that focus on developing a person’s social skills and language. An autistic patient’s quality of life can improve gradually with enhanced communication and meaningful daily experiences.