| always better to nip the evil in the bud. In this | | | | children. Infants who are vulnerable to ASD and |
| case, the evil is Autism Spectrum Disorder | | | | show all 5 symptoms will probably develop the |
| commonly referred to as ASD. This is inclusive of- | | | | syndrome fully by the time they are 3. In such a |
| Autism, Aspergers’s Syndrome and | | | | scenario, early detection can result in a positive |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise | | | | response with improved communication and |
| Specified (PDD-NOS). The surprising fact is that | | | | better social interaction. Autism is a genetic |
| the symptoms of ASD can be caught at very | | | | disease and can therefore be hereditary. In case |
| early stages of childhood according to a study | | | | of autistic siblings, infants are more prone to the |
| conducted in Baltimore. | | | | syndrome and it is vital to catch hold of the |
| There has been a lot of prolonged research on | | | | symptoms before it’s too late. |
| ASD and attempts have been made to simply | | | | ASD typically makes a child socially challenged and |
| the syndrome for better understanding. It is | | | | communication becomes a huge barrier. |
| observed that children suspected of being autistic | | | | Researchers feel that the motor system of a |
| can be diagnosed at a very early age. This | | | | child gives an insight about ASD and whether or |
| diagnosis is made on the basis of certain behavior | | | | not the child is likely to develop the syndrome. |
| patterns. Children showing the presence of five | | | | Along with social difficulties, physical and posture |
| chief behavior troubles are sure to suffer from | | | | related problems might also plague an infant with |
| ASD. This analysis is developed by researchers at | | | | Autism Spectrum Disorder. Minor deformities and |
| the International Conference on Infant Studies. | | | | faulty limb positioning can occur in most cases. |
| Rather than arriving at clinical conclusions, behavior | | | | A majority of doctors also have contrary opinions |
| studies provide a better diagnosis. Problems | | | | regarding ASD and its onset in infants. According |
| associated with communication, motor | | | | to their research, a vast majority of children do |
| movements and social habits are mostly in sync | | | | not show any symptoms by the age of 14 |
| with psychiatric criteria for autism identification. In | | | | months. Such studies reveal that slow learning and |
| 15 out of 16 children, the presence of these 5 | | | | poor linguistic development turns into autism over |
| behaviors at 14 months of age leads to autism. | | | | a period of time and there are no early |
| Doctors believe that at this young age they can | | | | symptoms as predicted by other researchers. |
| detect tell tale signs of ASD. Such children do not | | | | These two opposing schools of thought might not |
| react or respond to those calling out to them, do | | | | be completely sure on their ground but if ASD is |
| not attempt to join social goings-on, cannot | | | | caught early and can be diagnosed during infancy, |
| express themselves verbally with ease and indulge | | | | it can be a boon. This is because such children can |
| in repetitive activities. | | | | be given assistance and necessary treatment |
| The importance of correctly identifying and | | | | which makes them function with a semblance of |
| treating these symptoms as soon as they appear | | | | as much normalcy as is possible. |
| is that there is remarked improvement in such | | | | |