Question

Discuss current changes to the criteria previously used to diagnose and treat autism. How was autism diagnosed and treated previously? How will it be diagnosed and treated now? What factors influence ASD? Explain.

Answer 1

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developemental disorder that affect communication and bevavior.Symptoms affect the person's ability to function in school, work and other areas of life. It is  charecterised by showing a pattern of repetitive, steriotyped behaviors and activities.Autism disorder is usually diagnosed in early childhood.

History of Autism treatment

In 1911 Eugen Bleuler first used the tem autism.He thought that it was a symptom of schizophernia since extreme social withdrawal was common with psychiatric diseases that presented with psychosis.

In 1920s Electro Convulsive therapy first used to treat symptoms of autism.There was also the emergence of dietary restriction in treatment of autism.

In 1943 Leo Kanner first charecterised Autism as a social and emotional disorder.In 1944 Hans Asperger published autism as a communicative disorder in children.In 1950s Parentectomy was a common treatment for autism.

In 1970 s - Temple Grandin develpoed a squeeze machine for children with autism.Shock therapy and aversive punishment were used as autism treatment.In this period pharmaceutical treatment for autism become a main treatment method for autism.

!n 1980 to 1989- Infantile autism was included in DSM111. In 1987 autism is expanded in DSM including diagnostic criteria.In the same year Ivar Lovass developed Intensive Behavioral therapy for children with autism.

In 1997 there was the emergence of special education programs for children with autism.

In 2013 ASD was classified in DSM -V.

How Autism is diagnosed and treated now

Now a days doctors will inspect and observe signs of developmental delays in infants at their regular check ups.If any symptonms of ASD is found he may refer the child to a specialist who treats children with ASD inclding a child psychiatrist ,.psychologist,pediatric neurologist,or develpmental pediatrician for further evaluation.

Diagnosis is very difficult for ASD since the symptoms and severity may vary in different cases and there isn't a specefic or simple medical test to determine this disorder.The treatment involves ,asking the parent to observe the child ,about the child's social interactions, communication skills, and behavioral issues.THey will use the criteria in DSM or ICD .They will recommend genetic testing to identify whether the child has a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome of fragile X syndrome.

There is no cure for autism and one cannot recommend a single specefic tretment. The goal of tretment is to maximise the child's ability to function by reducing the ASD symptoms and supporting developmental learning.Treatment include behavior therapy, communication therapy,Applied Bevior Analysis, eduacational therapies for parents, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, speech therapy and medications.

The aim of these therapies is to teach children to communicate better,learn new skills,reduce problem behaviors, teach parents how to deal with these children,improve movement and balance etc.Medicines used to treat anxiety , depression,epilepsy and sleep disorders associated with this Autism.