- Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by a lack of social interaction and communication.
- The Behavior and Emotions Clinic of the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital treats 305 new patients each year.
- A professional diagnosis is required to avoid being confused with other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
He Autism Spectrum Disorder, from which autism is derived, is a condition that affects men more than women, with a ratio of four to one, reported the director of the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital “Dr. Juan N. Navarro” from the Secretary of Health, Héctor Rodríguez Juárez.
This could be explained by genetic bases, although it is considered that there is underreporting in women, probably related to the lack of identification, due, among other aspects, to differences in its clinical expression and diagnostic techniques.
main symptoms
He Autism Spectrum Disorder It presents from the first year of life and is characterized by a lack of social interaction, emotional reciprocity and communication; restricted and stereotyped behaviors; repetitive and unusual movements.
People avoid contact, do extreme hand waving (flapping), have delayed speech and language development, become isolated, and show a lack of interest and interaction with other children.
Autistic people contribute to our societies in art, politics, work, and home.
On World Autism Awareness Day, and always, let’s advocate for a more inclusive world for autistic people. https://t.co/AjQDVKTSLg pic.twitter.com/p4whd4zla1
– United Nations (@ONU_es) April 2, 2023
In an interview for the World Autism Awareness Day that is commemorated every April 2, the director of the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital said that the commemoration has the purpose of making people with autism spectrum disorder visible and contributing to promoting the effective exercise of Your rights.
He also indicated that there is an average of 60 percent probability that this condition is inherited. The prevalence increases in the siblings of people with Autism Spectrum Disordercompared to the rest of the population.
professional care
He reported that the hospital under his charge has a Behavior and Emotions Clinic where 305 new patients with this condition are treated each year. It represents 12 percent of the outpatient population. This figure places the Autism Spectrum Disorder thirdly demand for services.
The director of the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital stressed that it is important that mothers and fathers observe the behavior of their daughters and sons, be attentive to their movements, gaze and language. If they present symptoms, they should seek medical attention, preferably specialized.
Some of these girls and boys may have an average IQ. This delays diagnosis because the symptoms are confused with other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
He insisted that it is essential to identify this condition in time, since there are cases that are delayed up to eight years, even young people are already studying at the university and have not been detected.
Rodríguez Juárez explained that the treatment is multidisciplinary with support from neurology and language rehabilitation to improve communication with others and provide adaptive tools in social interaction. Meanwhile, distraction and lack of concentration is treated with medication.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the abilities and needs of people with autism are different and can evolve over time. Some live independently. Instead, others have severe disabilities that need constant care and support throughout their lives.
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