Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can occur very early in a child’s life, often even before he is two years old. Although the exact cause remains unknown, a combination of genetic and environmental factors seems to play a role. Parents and pediatrician are usually the first to identify the “signs”, which are not always easy to distinguish. About Autism, the symptoms that should be concerned about parents and the structures to be addressed are spoken by Alexia Katsouli, Mental Health Nurse, Psychologist-Librarologist MSc, Secretary General of the Board of Directors, The boarding school hosts adults over 18 years of age with moderate -degree autism spectrum disorders.

“Autism is a very serious neurodevelopmental disorder, in which the brain develops and operates differently, without fully understanding the reasons that appear. Undoubtedly, however, the scientific community has identified genetic and gene factors, one or both parents, which in combination with environmentalists is possible to influence the development of the brain in its early development and are responsible for the risk of autism. These factors are not all clear, but they may be related to chromosomal abnormalities, toxic genetic variants, advanced age of parents during conception, exposure of the mother to toxic environment or alcohol, inadequate vitamin intake in pregnancy, infections during pregnancy.

The first ‘signs’

Autism is irreversible lifelong disorder and can be perceived even from 14 months, but the official diagnosis may follow a little later.

“Parents and the pediatrician are usually the ones who observe the first” signs ” – a lack of responding to stimulus, complete absence or restriction of eye contact, delay in speech, absence of a replying smile, lack of interest in other children, unusual adhesion to play. Growing up, there is a reduced social interaction compared to other children, a different way of communicating, different processing of sensory stimuli and response to them. Many times there is mental retardation, medical syndromes (such as gastrointestinal disorders) or other disabilities (such as difficulty coordinating movement), ”he notes. Katsouli.

What is ‘Autistic Spectrum’

Many people with autism differ – other forms are more difficult, others mild and others reveal excellent abilities of the individual, so we refer to a “autistic spectrum”, depending on the degree of difficulty in verbal and non -verbal communication, the degree of social interaction, the degree of functionality, the degree of functionality. “This means that they may differ in everyday life skills, in the regulation of emotions and behavior, but may be presented with individual” distinct “abilities, while others need to be ongoing support for severe disability or even limited communication, to have stimulant or even self -destructive behavior.”

How is autism diagnosed

Autism is diagnosed by pediatric psychiatrists, pediatricians-developers, pediatrics and psychiatrists in cases over 18 years of age and is carried out at Community Centers for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centers (Pediatrics) and generally hospitals or in private centers of special treatments.

According to Mrs Katsoulis, there is no established diagnostic tool for autism, nor treatment of its elimination, but there are evaluation tests through observation or interview (such as Ados-2, Cars), beneficial to suggest autism. “Even more beneficial is to seek the child’s difficulties and to evaluate his overall image in kindergarten, home or school. Early diagnosis, timely interventions and the continuous of personalized quality care of these people, with a special pedagogical therapeutic program, with appropriate educational, occupational therapy and psychosocial approaches can improve skills and functionality and lead them to as much as possible. After all, the needs are differentiated at every stage of life and therefore it is necessary and valuable any interdisciplinary cooperation with parents, so that the transition can be as milder as possible, in a personalized context. “

Parents are entitled to special education treatments (eg speech therapy, occupational therapy, parent counseling), prescribed annually. The sole responsibility for a body to propose the appropriate educational personalized framework for support and attendance (parallel support or attendance in an integration department in a General Education or Special Education Unit) are the centers of interdisciplinary evaluation, counseling and support. At the same time, in addition to any diagnosis, the social services of the Municipalities or Public Hospitals are working with health regions to interconnect families and state hospitality structures, such as day centers, boarding houses, hostels, in cases where families are unable to support their child. “The existence of these state structures is considered necessary,” says Ms. Katsoulis.

It concludes that every family and its members are experiencing very serious issues when they grow up a child with autism – social, economic, practical, school, educational, with uninvited effort and with huge psycho -emotional stress. “Difficulties in autism remain silent, but life in autism is not only a difficult story, but a story of many possibilities – it is enough to create it through actions of acceptance of any neurotransmitness and neurotypicality, through acts of limiting stigma.”