Autism: What You Need to Know
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental and neurological disorder that influences how an individual communicates, interacts with others, behaves, and learns. Since the start of the new millennium, autism diagnoses have risen significantly, with data from the CDC showing that the autism rate in America as of 2022 was 2.77%. This is a significant increase from the 0.66% recorded in 2000.
Estimates from WHO show that the global prevalence of the disorder stands at 1%, an increase from the 0.62% recorded over a decade ago. Researchers attribute the increase in diagnoses to more screening.
The inclusion of a range of behaviors describing the disorder like pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger’s may have also aided in diagnosis. Despite this, concerns over what may have contributed to the increase continue to grow, highlighting a need to educate the public on this disorder.
So, how is autism diagnosed?
For starters, there aren’t any objective tools for diagnosing the disorder, with physicians making their diagnoses based on interviews and observations. This is somewhat difficult as the disorder manifests differently in individuals, with some being extremely sensitive to triggers like touch or sound while others aren’t.
Some individuals with autism are also non-verbal while others have good conversation skills.
Most children start presenting with symptoms between 18 to 24 months though, which explains why screening is recommended at this age. In America, 4 is the average age of diagnosis. Globally, the average age of diagnosis is 5.
What causes this disorder?
While the exact cause of autism remains unclear, researchers believe the disorder’s neurological characteristics may develop while the infant is still in the womb. Research has linked the disorder to maternal factors during pregnancy, with scientists also linking it to timing and complications with the birth.
Epigeneticists also suggest that exposure to harmful contaminants or air pollution during or before pregnancy could cause a genetic alteration resulting in autism.
Gene variations in some individuals with autism back the evidence for a genetic component with researchers also linking genetic disorders like the Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, and Fragile X syndrome to a heightened risk of developing autism.
Other possible risk factors for autism development include the parents’ age when they conceived the child, a sibling with autism, jaundice as a newborn, extremely low birth weight, and immune system disorders.
It is important to note that the theory that autism is caused by childhood vaccines is based on a decades-old study whose findings have been debunked.
As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder rises, many companies like PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are taking on the challenge of developing effective therapeutics that can help those diagnosed with this condition to manage their symptoms.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental and neurological disorder that influences how an individual communicates, interacts with others, behaves, and learns. Since the start of the new millennium, autism diagnoses have risen significantly, with data from the CDC showing that the autism rate in America as of 2022 was 2.77%. This is a significant increase from the 0.66% recorded in 2000.
Estimates from WHO show that the global prevalence of the disorder stands at 1%, an increase from the 0.62% recorded over a decade ago. Researchers attribute the increase in diagnoses to more screening.
The inclusion of a range of behaviors describing the disorder like pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger’s may have also aided in diagnosis. Despite this, concerns over what may have contributed to the increase continue to grow, highlighting a need to educate the public on this disorder.
So, how is autism diagnosed?
For starters, there aren’t any objective tools for diagnosing the disorder, with physicians making their diagnoses based on interviews and observations. This is somewhat difficult as the disorder manifests differently in individuals, with some being extremely sensitive to triggers like touch or sound while others aren’t.
Some individuals with autism are also non-verbal while others have good conversation skills.
Most children start presenting with symptoms between 18 to 24 months though, which explains why screening is recommended at this age. In America, 4 is the average age of diagnosis. Globally, the average age of diagnosis is 5.
What causes this disorder?
While the exact cause of autism remains unclear, researchers believe the disorder’s neurological characteristics may develop while the infant is still in the womb. Research has linked the disorder to maternal factors during pregnancy, with scientists also linking it to timing and complications with the birth.
Epigeneticists also suggest that exposure to harmful contaminants or air pollution during or before pregnancy could cause a genetic alteration resulting in autism.
Gene variations in some individuals with autism back the evidence for a genetic component with researchers also linking genetic disorders like the Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, and Fragile X syndrome to a heightened risk of developing autism.
Other possible risk factors for autism development include the parents’ age when they conceived the child, a sibling with autism, jaundice as a newborn, extremely low birth weight, and immune system disorders.
It is important to note that the theory that autism is caused by childhood vaccines is based on a decades-old study whose findings have been debunked.
As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder rises, many companies like PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are taking on the challenge of developing effective therapeutics that can help those diagnosed with this condition to manage their symptoms.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
