AUTISM

AUTISM
Autism is a genetically inherited disorder with significant delays in communication and interaction and restrictive interests, the symptoms of which begin in the first 3 years of life. It was first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. It is not a disease that is diagnosed later. The prevalence of autism in society is around 1%. It is more common in boys than girls. Autism is a genetically inherited disorder and many genes related to it have been found. Research on this subject continues. Since a specific gene for autism has not been found, prenatal diagnosis cannot be made. When one sibling has Autism, the probability of having Autism in the other sibling is higher than society. It is important for these families to receive genetic and psychiatric counseling. Families mostly apply to polyclinics due to speech delay and hearing loss. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Tic Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders are the other psychiatric disorders that most often accompany autism. Along with the treatment of autism, the treatment of these diseases is important and their treatment affects the course positively. Autism can be confused with Developmental Delays due to delayed speech, with Early Onset Schizophrenia due to being in their own world, and with Reactive Attachment Disorders due to their addiction to television.

NORMAL SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Babies start to make eye contact with mom and dad from the age of 1 month. With the beginning of eye contact, social smiling begins. Around 4 months of age, he responds when he is held in his arms. Separation anxiety from parents begins around 9 months and reaches its highest level around 1.5 years of age. Imitation skills begin to develop from the age of 9 months. From the age of 1, he/she interacts with his/her peers. He starts to build a business. From the age of 3, he plays meaningful and scripted games with his peers. As of the age of 4, he begins to understand the emotions of the people around him. The times mentioned above are approximate times.

AUTISM SPECTRUM SYMPTOMS
AGE BETWEEN
Trouble making eye contact
Not looking when called
Not responding to smiling and calling
Lack of development of imitation skills
Happy to be alone
Lack of anxiety about strangers
Delay in speaking skills
Being unresponsive when picked up
In his own world

BETWEEN 2-3 YEARS
Between 0-1 Years of Age In addition to the symptoms:
Delay in speech becomes evident
Meaningless empty laughter
Dull gaze
Restriction in gestures and facial expressions
Preference to play alone
Extreme sensitivity or absence of 5 senses (e.g. discomfort with sound, picky food, discomfort with smells, discomfort with touch, being uncomfortable with the clothes he/she wears...)
Repetitive motor behaviors (e.g. tiptoe walking, swaying back and forth or left and right, clapping hands, going back and forth on the same path...)
Excessive interest in non-functional objects (e.g. : rotating toys, washing machine, electronic items, car license plates..)

3-5 YEARS OF AGE
In addition to the symptoms seen in previous ages
Inability to develop friendships
Inventing new words in speech
Repetitive conversations
Difficulty in starting a conversation
Preferring to be alone and play
Not playing meaningful games with peers
DIAGNOSIS
It is made by detailed clinical examination. Hearing test and Sleep EEG may be required to rule out other diagnoses.
TREATMENT
Psychosocial support, Individual Education, Treatment of accompanying diseases, Family education are important.