What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• It is a developmental disorder characterized by behavioral and communicational affections.
• It impacts a person’s ability to navigate social interactions and causes repetitive and restricted behavior.
• Many children show symptoms of autism by 12months to 18 months of age or earlier.

What causes Autism?

• Genetic factor:
  • Something happens during fetal development that alters a gene.
  • Child inherits problematic gene/genes from one or both parents
• Environmental factors: Mothers exposed to high levels of pesticides and air pollution may also be at high risk of having a child with ASD.
• Brain Development: Children with ASD have more cells in their brain, than they require. Even the connections between the cells are not proper.

These factors by themselves, don’t cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic factors, they appear to increase risk.

World Autism Day

• Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the UN representative from Qatar proposed the idea of recognizing World Autism Day.
• The UNGA unanimously declared 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism, so that they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of the society.

Facts about Autism

• A puzzle ribbon is used as the new symbol for autism.
• ASD now affects 1 in 68 children.
• Boys are nearly 4.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls.
• ASD is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.