The number of children diagnosed with RDA is growing annually - this is early childhood autism. This pathology affects every twenty-six out of ten thousand people worldwide. This phenomenon requires accurate knowledge in diagnosing the problem, identifying the causes of its development, as well as applying effective correction methods. In the CIS countries, the system of assistance to unusual children is very poorly developed, a child with such a diagnosis is usually registered with a neuropsychiatrist. In European countries, RDAs are excluded from the category of mental illness, defining it as a comprehensive developmental disorder of the child.
Description of the problem
Early childhood autism (RDA) is a developmental disorder based on a violation of a child’s communication, behavior and social interaction. This also includes problems in the development of self-service skills, in the development of speech, and motor impairment. Pathology is manifested in the isolation of the child, avoiding contact with people, pathological motor reactions, repetitive behavior, speech impairment.
For the first time, the disease begins to appear at the age of about three years, sometimes pathology is accompanied by mental retardation. After five years of age, RDA syndrome never develops, so the onset of symptoms of the disease may indicate the development of schizophrenia in the child or other mental disorders. Therefore, in this case, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination.
Pathology characteristic
The characteristic of the RDA is as follows:
- Closure, difficulties in establishing emotional contacts when interacting with the outside world and people.
- A stereotype in behavior that manifests itself in the monotonous actions of the child. He can, for example, regularly wave his hands or constantly twirl an object in his hands, quickly and rhythmically flip through a book. In the conversation and the game, one can trace the dominance of the same topic. Children with RDA also resist innovations in their life order.
- Delay and impaired speech, in particular, communication skills. The child in this case may have a good vocabulary, be able to formulate his thoughts, but he avoids conversations, does not respond to questions that are asked to him. When solitary, the child can talk to himself, turning to himself on "you" or "he."
- The development of RDA and the manifestation of the above disorders occurs up to three years.
The reasons for the development of pathologists
In modern medicine, the reasons for the development of autism in children are not fully understood. There are many hypotheses for the occurrence of pathology. Gene theory suggests that the characteristics of RDA are related to genetic disorders that can be inherited. According to statistics, in 3% of cases the disease is inherited by children from one of the parents, the probability of having a second child with these problems is about 9%. Also, other genetic pathologies are often diagnosed in such children, for example, Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis, phenylketonuria or Ito hypomelanosis.
Teratogenic theory claims that the disease develops as a result of exposure to various negative internal and external factors on a pregnant woman, resulting in a violation of the central nervous system of the fetus, which leads to the development of pathology in the future. Negative factors in this case include intrauterine infections, carcinogens, stress, radiation, and so on. Epilepsy is diagnosed in 30% of children with RDA, so scientists are inclined to claim that the disease is provoked by perinatal encephalopathy, which develops as a result of fetal hypoxia, pregnancy toxicosis, and birth injuries.
Alternative theories suggest that the disease is formed due to the development of fungal infections, disorders of the immune and hormonal systems of children, metabolic disorders in the body, and also as a result of late delivery of a woman.
Theory of Yuri Burlan
According to the systemic vector psychology of Yuri Burlan, RDA is a pathology that is observed in children who have received psychological trauma in the development of the sound vector of the human psyche.
The sound vector gives the person certain characteristics and qualities of the psyche through the influence of external factors on the organs of hearing. The owners of this vector are introverts who are focused on their internal states and thoughts. Under stressful influences on the hearing organs of such children, for example, it can be loud music, screaming, talking in high tones or loud insults, autism can begin to develop. Moreover, the negative impact may not be directed to the child himself, but to occur in his presence. As a result of all this, a person begins to perceive loud sounds painfully. He tries to close his ears and isolate himself from the source of stress. So early autism begins to develop.
Y. Burlan argues that the sound vector is the main thing in the human psyche, when a trauma occurs, a disorder of all other vectors develops. So, the features of children with RDA are manifested in stereotypes of motility, hyperactivity, the development of nervous tics, fear of all new and other points.
Varieties of pathology
In medicine, there are many types of this disease, the most famous types of the disease are:
- Complete isolation in oneself, detachment from the outside world. In this case, attempts to interact with the child lead to his discomfort. Even parents cannot achieve any kind of emotional reaction. Autists often ignore hunger and avoid bodily contact.
- The rejection of the outside world is determined by careful selectivity in contact with the environment. In this case, the child only communicates with loved ones. Also, selectivity can be traced in nutrition, clothing, when trying to change the usual way of life, an affective reaction occurs, expressed in aggression. This group of children is more adapted for life than in the first case.
- Substitution of the world, immersion in one’s own interests. In an attempt to hide from the outside world, children are immersed in their own interests, which are not cognitive in nature. The development of children with RDA occurs in such a way that for years they can talk on the same topics, draw the same subjects. Usually the interests of children are aggressive and intimidating.
- Great difficulty in contact with the outside world. This pathology is the easiest option for the disease. Such children are very vulnerable and vulnerable.
With a properly organized correction process, children can adapt to the external environment.
Symptoms of the disease
The main signs of autism are children avoiding contact with people, a stereotype of behavior, and speech disorder. These signs are observed in all cases of the disease, but can have different degrees of severity. Thus, symptoms begin to manifest in early childhood. The child usually does not respond to his name, does not smile, rarely approaches other children, does not show emotions. In some cases, an autist refuses to wear clothes of a certain color, and also to use it in drawing, modeling and so on. Also, such children have a stereotype of behavior, which is manifested in the uniformity of movements, actions, and the order in which they are performed. They master the skills of self-service and self-talk with delay.
Autists refuse to study and work together with other people, showing aggression, immersion in their own world. In this case, the intellectual sphere suffers in children; in 85% of cases, digestive disorders are diagnosed, manifested in dyspeptic syndrome and intestinal colic.
Autistic children may have talent in some narrow area, they are more diligent and attentive compared to ordinary children.
Diagnostic measures
Typically, the diagnosis of RDA is carried out on the basis of monitoring the child with a commission that includes doctors of various specialties. The diagnostic criteria in this case are:
- Disorder of social interaction.
- Communication disorder.
- Stereotypes of behavior.
Also, doctors can use different questionnaires, tests, measuring the level of development and intelligence of the child. In the presence of neurological disorders, convulsive syndromes, it is possible to conduct a follow-up examination using MRI, EEG, CT of the brain, often consult a geneticist and a gastroenterologist.
Differential diagnosis
Diagnosis of the disease is very important, but it is necessary to differentiate autism with such pathologies:
- Mental retardation, in which there is a total decrease in intelligence. In this case, children seek to establish emotional connections with the outside world, in contrast to autistic children.
- Disintegrative mental disorders, in particular Heller's syndrome and Rett's disease, which develop at the age of three years. A child with these pathologies becomes irritable, naughty, loses his motor and communicative ability, his intellect decreases.
- Schizophrenia, accompanied by delirium and hallucinations.
- Deprivation disorder.
Disease treatment
It is not possible to cure this disease today. Doctors use symptomatic medication if necessary. Anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, or psychostimulants may be prescribed to the patient. Often conducted electroacupuncture. The main role in the treatment of autism is assigned to psychologists. They carry out corrective work with children with RDA, which is based on game therapy, art therapy, music therapy and logo rhythm. It is also possible to conduct treatment involving animals, such as dolphins. Psychologists and educators are guided in the process of teaching these children to their strengths, take into account their interests and abilities in sciences, languages.
Forecast
RDA is a disease whose prognosis depends on the time of its detection, correction methods, and individual characteristics of the child. When diagnosing pathology after five years, the child in 80% of cases becomes disabled. But children can gradually develop, gain strong ties with parents and close relatives. In the preschool period, many autists improve social adaptation, speech perception, and networking. In some people, social adaptation occurs during adolescence. But in 40% of patients, it is during the period of sexual development that the symptoms of the disease increase, the condition worsens, which is accompanied by isolation, self-aggression, or hyperactivity. By adulthood, such people usually form patterns of behavior and interaction with the outside world. The sooner the treatment of the pathology is started, the better its prognosis.
Prevention
Since the exact reasons for the development of autism have not been established in medicine, prevention comes down to the rules that a woman who is preparing to become a mother must follow. In this case, it is necessary to properly approach the issue of pregnancy planning, eliminate the influence of negative factors, observe a healthy lifestyle and eat right, treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Summary
Childhood autism today is quite common throughout the world, which suggests the need for a more detailed study of the problem, as well as methods for its elimination. In the absence of proper attention from teachers, psychologists and parents of autists, children in 70% of cases become disabled, who will require constant care. Therefore, it is important to pay maximum attention to such children, to conduct treatment and corrective measures for their adaptation to life in society.