When is autism triggered and what are its causes?

We probably don't realise how many people around us (both children and adults) are affected by so-called autism spectrum disorders (ASD). And it's no coincidence that the word "spectrum" unites them, because the manifestations can be different for each individual. Most often, however, we're talking about autism, which was first introduced as a diagnosis by Dr. Leo Kaner in 1943. He then listed three main symptoms - isolation from others, difficulties in speech development and a tendency towards persistence. In time, it was confirmed to be a neurological condition that affects the functioning of the brain and more specifically the areas of language and communication, social skills, behaviour and sensation.

1. What do you need to know about autism?

According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 100 children have autism, this is considered an average estimate and it varies across studies. In some the figure may be significantly higher. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a diverse group of conditions characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Current research shows that the disorder has different subtypes, and the American Psychiatric Association states that although autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of disability varies. The truth is that autism is something that some children are born with. It is not a disease like diabetes or asthma. It simply causes some children to experience and perceive the world a little differently than others, to process information differently, and to communicate according to their own sensitivities. Because some can be completely non-verbal, while others have good speech, exceptional intelligence, yet almost no social skills (Asperger's Syndrome is an example).

2. How and when does it start to manifest?

Autism spectrum disorders usually begin to manifest before the age of 3 and can continue throughout a person's life, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children show symptoms of autism in the first 12 months of life, while others may not show symptoms until 24 months of age or later. The main focus of diagnosis falls on the social skills inherent in autism, such as deficits in social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors, and making and maintaining friendships. Some children also show signs such as reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name or indifference to people who care for them. Others may develop normally for the first few months or years of life but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they have already acquired. Each child with an autism spectrum disorder has a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity, from low functioning to high functioning. Some have difficulty learning, while others learn quickly but have trouble communicating and applying what they know to everyday life and adjusting to social situations. It is because of the different combinations of symptoms of autism that the severity of the disorder can sometimes be difficult to determine, so it is usually based on the level of impairments and how they affect the ability to function. Still, there are a few basic symptoms by which you can recognize autism. For example, the child doesn't respond when you say his name or doesn't seem to hear you, prefers to play alone, withdrawing into his own world, has poor eye contact, doesn't speak or has delayed speech, speaks with an unusual tone or rhythm, repeats words or phrases verbatim, but does not understand how to use them, does not express emotions or feelings, is mostly passive or has difficulty recognising non-verbal cues such as interpreting other people's facial expressions, body postures or tone of voice. If you are concerned about your child's development or suspect your child may have an autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Symptoms associated with the disorder may also be related to other developmental disorders. Signs of autism often appear early in development, when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to determine if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills.

3. What could be the causes of autism?

Science cannot yet identify a single cause of autism spectrum disorders. It has been suggested that there is not one cause, but many, with both genetics and environment playing the most common role.

• Risk genes

Families with one child with autism have an increased chance of having another child with autism compared to the general population. The likelihood of having another affected child is estimated to be about 1 in 5. Family members of a person with autism also tend to have a higher rate of autistic traits. Twin studies show that when one twin is affected by autism, there is a very high probability that the other twin will also be affected. In identical twins who have a different genetic makeup from each other, the chance is much lower. Unfortunately, the only thing that is clear at the moment is that the genetics of autism is extremely complex, with hundreds of different possible "risk genes" and identified pathways, some of which involve multiple genes in combination with environmental factors.

• When parents are older

There is growing evidence that older fathers and mothers are more likely to have a child with autism. Older parents are generally more likely to have children with developmental disorders. Although the cause is most likely genetic, older mothers are also at higher risk during pregnancy and birth complications.

• Risk factors during pregnancy

Pregnancy and, to a lesser extent, early childhood appear to be key periods when brain development may be affected. It has been found that bacterial or viral infections in the mother during pregnancy may increase the chance of autism, but this is of secondary importance. Other maternal factors that could be associated with autism in children include folic acid deficiency, gestational diabetes and the use of certain antidepressants during pregnancy, but there is no conclusive evidence for any of these links.

• The environment

Over the past decade, various studies have been done on aspects of the environment that may also contribute to autism. However, despite considerable research, no single environmental factor has yet been established as a definite cause.

But what does cause autism?

Certainly bad parenting does not cause it, and nothing you have said or done as a parent is the reason your child developed autism. It is also important to clarify that vaccines do not cause it. A study appeared in the late 1990s that found a link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, but it was completely debunked by other studies and was eventually retracted in 2010. For several years, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tried to establish a link between vaccines and autism, but it was never found. Nor has it been proven whether race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status has a link to its onset.

4. What to do if your child has autism and you need resources

Not only the discovery of the problem, but also the need for special care, raises the question of whether a family has the necessary resources to go through all the procedures, and the subsequent therapies and care for the child. Especially if the autism is in a more severe form. Setting up a fundraising campaign is one way to be of help. For this you can use the crowdfunding platform PavelAndreev.ORG. Start a campaign now. Besides being known for its high rating, it allows you to easily and quickly create and manage your own fundraising campaign.

The platform offers various tools to reach more people who are willing to join your cause. Including integration with various social media platforms that allow you to reach different types of audiences. The PavelAndreev.ORG platform has undoubtedly earned the trust of thousands of people. Because sometimes help really does come from unexpected places.