Understanding Autism

(Published on 10 April 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April. This date marks the day when the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded. It was on this day in the year 1948 that the first World Health Assembly was held. It was then decided that 7 April would be marked as the World Health Day to raise awareness of key global health issues. The theme for the year 2007 is international health security. The objective is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health and in doing so build a safer future."

However, investing in health is not just about research, science, medicine and improved technology. It’s not just about improved infrastructure but also about spreading awareness. Educating oneself is as crucial. While most of the diseases prevalent today are recognized and given their due – Autism is rarely recognized and seldom given enough attention.

Autism is a developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central nervous system. The word ‘autism’ was first used by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in 1912. It comes from the Greek word for self - autos. It usually occurs in children below the age of three years. Autism has been defined as a disorder that begins in early childhood and which affects three fundamental areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play. Children with autism are unable to socially interact with others and effectively communicate with their peers.

Autistic children often seem to prefer being alone and may passively accept physical display of affection without reciprocating. Many children with autism face social alienation in school and on the playground. Making friends in real life and maintaining relationships with others proves to be difficult. As a response to this, many resort to inventing imaginary friends.

People with autism are not physically disabled. They look just like anybody else without the disability. Due to this invisible nature of the ailment, it has become difficult to create awareness and understanding of the condition. As an autistic child looks normal people assume they are naughty or are badly brought up. The exact cause of autism is still not known. However, research shows that it is caused by genetic factors.

Specialist education and structured support can make a difference to the life of a child suffering from autism. Proper guidance helps them to maximise skills and achieve full potential as they grow older. Figuring out if a child has autism can be difficult. A parent is usually the first to suspect that something is wrong. Doctors and counsellors help in further diagnosis.

There is no cure for autism, but doctors, therapists, and special teachers can help children with autism overcome or adjust to the difficulties that they are facing. The earlier the treatment is started for autism, the better. Therapists also help patients learn social skills. Some children need special help with day- to day living chores. Others have trouble sitting still or controlling their tempers and need therapy to help them control their behaviour. Children with mild autism can go to regular school. They need teachers trained to understand the problems they have with communicating and learning.

For more information visit the official website of The National Autistic Society: http://www.nas.org.uk/

Let us educate ourselves. Educate others. It’s time for each one of us to invest in health and build a safer future.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com