Dr. Fernandez Fernandez, specialist in Pediatric Neurology, is an expert in the treatment of behavioral disorders and learning disorders. With more than 10 years of experience, he is the coordinator of the Pediatric Neurology Area of the Andalusian Institute of Pediatric Neurology and of the ADHD Group of the European Society of Pediatric Neurology. In the following article he explains everything we should know about autism.
What is autism and why does it occur?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, a neurological brain development disorder affecting children, which is basically caused by an alteration in the maturation processes. The final cause is not known but in most cases there is a genetic basis, i.e., either hereditary or again but a genetic alteration, a damage at the molecular level, which produces the alteration in the brain maturation process. This affects a number of brain areas, which are those that regulate the functioning of the mechanisms of modulation of social relationships, personal contact and mental flexibility. This is somewhat more complicated than what I am explaining, but basically that is the main origin: a neurodevelopmental disorder, derived from a disorder in the genetic alteration that produces, in most cases, an affectation of brain development.
What are the first symptoms and at what age do they usually appear?
The age of onset of autism varies widely. The more intense the symptoms, the more severe the case, the earlier these alterations or this presentation of symptoms occur. In general, around 18 months is when these alterations begin to be detected in a significant way. Mainly a difficulty in eye contact and communication, an alteration in the ability to relate to others, and a series of repetitive, inflexible and generally especially obsessive or manic behaviors. These are the three main characteristics that produce these symptoms in these children, as I say, difficulty in communication, in the social relationship and in the establishment of excessively repetitive or inflexible behaviors and habits. The earlier it appears, the more intense the symptoms are and the more alterations it will produce. So, one of the main difficulties that these children have at the beginning is verbal communication. He finds it difficult to relate to others, especially in verbal relationships. This causes difficulties in integration and, of course, with peers and parents.
Can autism be prevented?
There is really no way to predict autism 100%. It cannot be prevented, among other things, because we do not have perfectly reliable information as to what the definitive cause is. It is true, as we have said before, that the origin is largely genetic, but these are not the only factors that influence us. There are also a number of environmental factors that we can control, at least in part. The type of diet, the type of substance consumption during pregnancy, we have to avoid situations that produce risks or alterations, such as alcohol consumption, drug consumption, exposure to pollutants. These types of situations are easily preventable and can reduce the risk. It is also important to take into account the existence of family antecedents. Consanguinity, the relationship of cousins, siblings, etc., among the parents of children with autism favors a much higher appearance of these alterations, of this diagnosis and, of course, if there is a family history already diagnosed with autism it is also a factor to take into account. As I say, this type of alterations are hardly preventable and the fundamental factor we have to take into account is the early detection and above all the suspicion in case there is a previous case in the family.