Why is drooling common in children with autism. What are the underlying causes of excessive drooling. How can parents and caregivers help manage drooling in autistic children. What treatment options are available for addressing drooling in autism. How do speech and occupational therapy help with drooling control. What are the goals of therapy for managing drooling in autism. How can proper positioning and oral exercises improve drooling control.

The Link Between Autism and Excessive Drooling

Drooling is a common issue among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While typically developing infants usually gain control of their swallowing and mouth muscles between 18 and 24 months of age, children with developmental disorders, including autism, often experience prolonged and excessive drooling. This can persist beyond infancy and even into adulthood in some cases.

Why does excessive drooling occur in individuals with autism? Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:

• Low muscle tone in the facial and oral regions
• Lack of sensitivity around the lips and face
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive production of saliva
• Neurological and attention deficits

These issues are often interrelated and can significantly impact an individual’s ability to control saliva flow and maintain proper oral hygiene.

Medical Evaluation: The First Step in Addressing Drooling

Before implementing any interventions for drooling, it’s crucial to consult with a medical professional. A pediatrician or a pediatric ear-nose-throat specialist should conduct a thorough examination to rule out or address any underlying medical conditions.

What does a medical evaluation for drooling typically involve?

• Examination of tonsils, sinuses, and salivary glands
• Assessment of medication side effects that may exacerbate drooling
• Evaluation of aspiration risk (inhaling saliva into the lungs)

This comprehensive evaluation helps determine the root cause of excessive drooling and guides the development of an appropriate treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs.

Therapeutic Approaches to Managing Drooling in Autism

Once medical issues have been addressed or ruled out, various therapeutic interventions can be employed to help manage drooling in children with autism. These approaches often involve collaboration between speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists experienced in oral-sensitivity and muscle tone issues.

Speech and Occupational Therapy

Speech and occupational therapists play a crucial role in helping children with autism improve their oral muscle tone, lip closure, and swallowing abilities. These professionals use a variety of techniques and exercises to address the underlying factors contributing to excessive drooling.

Dental Appliances and Assistive Devices

In some cases, therapists may recommend the use of dental appliances or chin cups to assist with lip closure, tongue positioning, and swallowing. These devices can provide additional support and help reinforce proper oral motor function.

Dietary Considerations

Reducing the intake of acidic foods may help decrease saliva production in some individuals. However, it’s essential to consult with a dietician before making significant changes to a child’s diet, especially if they are already selective eaters.

Goals of Therapy for Drooling Control in Autism

Therapy for drooling in children with autism typically focuses on four main goals:

1. Developing good posture and positioning
2. Building oral muscle strength and control
3. Increasing oral sensitivity
4. Practicing proper chewing and swallowing

Let’s explore each of these goals in more detail to understand how they contribute to improved drooling control.

Improving Posture and Positioning for Better Saliva Control

Poor muscle control of the trunk, neck, and head can result in a downward head tilt, causing saliva to pool at the front of the mouth and spill from parted lips. How can therapists address this issue?

Occupational therapists work with children and their caregivers to develop strategies for proper positioning. This may include:

• Teaching exercises to strengthen core muscles
• Providing guidance on seating arrangements that promote good posture
• Demonstrating techniques for supporting the head and neck during various activities

By improving overall posture and positioning, children with autism can achieve better control over their oral muscles and reduce involuntary drooling.

Building Oral Muscle Strength and Control

Strengthening the muscles around the mouth is crucial for improving drooling control. Therapists use a variety of playful oral-motor exercises to help children build muscle tone and develop better control over their lip movements.

What are some examples of oral-motor exercises used in therapy?

• Practicing lip closure around objects like straws, spoons, or pieces of food
• Pronouncing closed-lip speech sounds such as “p,” “b,” and “m”
• Blowing bubbles or whistles to strengthen lip muscles
• Making exaggerated facial expressions to engage various muscle groups

These exercises are typically demonstrated by the therapist and then practiced at home with parental guidance and encouragement. Consistent practice is key to developing and maintaining improved oral muscle strength and control.

Enhancing Oral Sensitivity for Better Drooling Awareness

Many children with autism experience reduced sensitivity in their lips, tongue, mouth, and chin. This lack of awareness can contribute to excessive drooling. Therapists use tactile exercises to help children develop increased sensitivity and awareness of wetness around their mouth.

What types of exercises can improve oral sensitivity?

• Blowing bubbles and feeling the sensation on the lips
• Making exaggerated sounds involving the lips, such as “oooo,” “eeee,” and “puh-puh-puh”
• Using textured toys or tools to stimulate the lips and surrounding areas
• Practicing distinguishing between wet and dry sensations on the face

By increasing oral sensitivity, children can become more aware of when they are drooling and learn to respond by swallowing or wiping their mouth.

Mastering Proper Chewing and Swallowing Techniques

For many children with autism, excessive drooling occurs during meal times due to difficulties with chewing and swallowing. Speech and occupational therapists can work with children to improve these skills through targeted exercises and techniques.

How can therapists help children master proper chewing and swallowing?

• Breaking down the steps of chewing and swallowing into smaller, manageable tasks
• Practicing with a variety of food textures to improve oral motor skills
• Using visual cues and prompts to reinforce proper technique
• Incorporating swallowing exercises into daily routines

It’s important to practice these exercises when the child is hungry enough to enjoy a snack but not overly hungry, as this can lead to frustration or rushed eating.

The Importance of Consistent Practice and Home Carry-Over

While therapy sessions are crucial for developing drooling control strategies, the real progress often happens through consistent practice at home. Therapists provide guidance to parents and caregivers on how to incorporate exercises and techniques into daily routines.

How can parents support their child’s drooling control efforts at home?

• Establishing a regular practice schedule for oral-motor exercises
• Incorporating drooling awareness into everyday activities
• Providing positive reinforcement and encouragement for efforts to control drooling
• Maintaining open communication with therapists to address challenges and celebrate progress

By consistently practicing and reinforcing the skills learned in therapy, children with autism can make significant strides in managing their drooling and improving their overall oral motor function.

Addressing the Social and Emotional Impact of Drooling

Excessive drooling can have significant social and emotional consequences for children with autism. As they grow older, persistent drooling may lead to social stigma and affect self-esteem. It’s important for parents, caregivers, and therapists to address these aspects alongside the physical interventions.

How can we support the social and emotional well-being of children with drooling issues?

• Educating peers and family members about the challenges associated with drooling in autism
• Developing coping strategies for managing drooling in social situations
• Fostering a supportive and understanding environment at home and school
• Celebrating progress and acknowledging the child’s efforts in managing their drooling

By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of drooling, we can help children with autism develop greater confidence and social skills as they learn to manage this challenge.

Exploring Additional Treatment Options for Persistent Drooling

In some cases, therapeutic interventions and home practice may not fully resolve drooling issues. For children with persistent and severe drooling, additional treatment options may be considered under the guidance of medical professionals.

What are some advanced treatment options for managing drooling in autism?

• Medications to reduce saliva production
• Botulinum toxin injections to temporarily decrease salivary gland activity
• Surgical interventions to redirect salivary ducts or remove salivary glands

These more intensive treatments are typically reserved for cases where conservative approaches have not been successful and the impact of drooling on quality of life is significant. Any decision to pursue these options should be made in close consultation with healthcare providers and after careful consideration of potential risks and benefits.

The Role of Assistive Technology in Drooling Management

As technology continues to advance, new tools and devices are being developed to assist individuals with drooling control. These innovations can complement traditional therapy approaches and provide additional support for children with autism who struggle with excessive drooling.

What types of assistive technology are available for drooling management?

• Wearable devices that provide subtle reminders to swallow or wipe the mouth
• Specialized cups and straws designed to promote proper lip closure and swallowing
• Apps and software that gamify oral-motor exercises and tracking progress
• Moisture-wicking clothing and accessories to manage wetness discreetly

While these technological solutions can be helpful, it’s important to remember that they should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, therapeutic interventions and skill development.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Interventions

Managing drooling in children with autism is often an ongoing process that requires regular assessment and adjustment of interventions. As children grow and develop, their needs and abilities may change, necessitating modifications to their treatment plan.

How can progress in drooling control be effectively monitored and managed?

• Keeping a log of drooling frequency and severity
• Regularly scheduled check-ins with therapists and healthcare providers
• Setting realistic, measurable goals and tracking progress towards them
• Being open to trying new techniques or approaches as needed

By maintaining a flexible and adaptive approach to drooling management, parents and caregivers can help ensure that children with autism receive the most effective and appropriate interventions as they grow and develop.

Building a Supportive Network for Long-Term Success

Managing drooling in children with autism is not a solitary endeavor. It requires the collaboration of various professionals, family members, and community supports to create a comprehensive and effective care plan.

Who should be part of the support network for a child with autism and drooling issues?

• Pediatricians and medical specialists
• Speech and occupational therapists
• Teachers and school staff
• Family members and caregivers
• Support groups and community organizations

By fostering open communication and collaboration among these various stakeholders, parents can ensure that their child receives consistent support and interventions across all environments. This holistic approach can significantly improve the chances of long-term success in managing drooling and promoting overall well-being for children with autism.

Autism and drooling: Why so common? What helps?

Our 3-year-old was recently diagnosed with autism. He has made progress and is now talking, requesting and labeling. But he drools all the time, and we have to wipe his face constantly. How can we help him not drool?

Today’s “Got Questions?” answer is by behavior analyst Kara Reagon, Autism Speaks associate director for dissemination science.

Editor’s note: The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional.

Everybody drools – at least to start. Typically developing infants start to gain control of their swallowing and mouth muscles between 18 and 24 months of age. But it’s common for children with developmental disorders to drool excessively and for longer than is typical with other children. This includes children with autism, many of whom have delays and difficulties with muscle control and sensitivity.

What causes excessive drooling?

Typically, drooling involves low muscle tone, a lack of sensitivity around the lips and face, difficulty swallowing and/or excessive production of saliva. A variety of neurological and attention deficits can contribute to these issues – as is often the case among children – and sometimes adults – who have autism.

You are right to be concerned. Drooling becomes socially stigmatizing when it continues beyond infancy. It’s also unhygienic – an important issue as your son enters group settings such as preschool.

That said, drooling in some situations – for instance, while sleeping – is generally harmless unless it’s so excessive that your child is inhaling saliva.

So let’s focus on your son’s tendency to drool during the day.

Evaluation and treatment options

First, it’s important to discuss your son’s drooling with his pediatrician or a pediatric ear-nose-throat specialist to address or rule out serious underlying medical conditions. This will likely involve an examination of his tonsils, sinuses, and salivary glands. Also, certain medications can worsen drooling – another issue to discuss with your son’s doctor. In addition, the doctor should evaluate whether your son’s drooling is resulting in his inhaling saliva into his lungs – putting him at risk for pneumonia.

Treatment options should be tailored to your son’s needs and may require further evaluation – for instance by a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist experienced in oral-sensitivity and muscle tone issues.  

Speech and occupational therapists can help your son improve his oral muscle tone, lip closure and swallowing. In some cases, the therapist may suggest a dental appliance or chin cup to assist in lip closure, tongue positioning and swallowing.

It may also help to reduce the amount of acidic foods your son is eating – as they can trigger the production of excessive saliva. But it’s important to work with a dietician before introducing any significant change to your son’s diet – particularly if he’s already a picky eater.

The goals of therapy

Generally drooling can be addressed through occupational and/or speech therapy that focuses on the following:

1. Develop good posture and positioning
Sometimes, poor muscle control of the trunk, neck and head results in the head tilting downward. In this position, saliva tends to pool at the front of the mouth and spill from parted lips. The therapist can help you position your child in ways that encourage proper trunk control and head support.

2. Build oral muscle strength and control.
Therapists use a variety of playful oral-motor exercises to help children build muscle tone around the mouth. For instance, the therapist may have your son practice closing his lips around a straw, spoon or a piece of food and/or practice pronouncing closed-lip speech sounds such as “p,” “b” and “m.” The therapist will show you how to continue these exercises at home, with lots of encouragement in the form of praise and/or small rewards.

3. Increase oral sensitivity. Similarly, therapists have a variety of tactile exercises that can help your child develop sensitivity in the lips, tongue, mouth and chin. This includes building awareness of dryness versus wetness – so your child becomes aware when he’s drooling. Playful oral-sensitivity exercises can include blowing bubbles, making exaggerated sounds involving the lips such as “oooo,” “eeee” and “puh-puh-puh.” Again the therapist will give you guidance on how to practice these exercises at home.

4. Practice proper chewing and swallowing. Does your child drool excessively while eating? If so, you and the therapist can work with your child to master the steps of proper chewing and swallowing. It’s helpful to practice these exercises when your child is hungry enough to enjoy a snack but not ravenous. In general, the therapist will show you how to model, or exaggerate, appropriate chewing motions (closing the teeth and then the lips, etc. ) and encourage your child to do the same. It can help to give your son a hand-held mirror so he can watch himself perform these steps. As always, remember to encourage and praise, as in:

“That’s great. You’re chewing your cracker. Awesome, you swallowed the cracker! Good eating.”

5. Practice wiping with a napkin or handkerchief. While your child is learning to become aware of wetness on his face, it’s important to encourage the socially appropriate practice of wiping with a napkin or handkerchief. For mealtimes, I suggest teaching him the habit of “wipe, wipe, swallow” – wiping one side of the mouth and then the other before swallowing. Consider attaching the napkin to a wristband during meals to encourage this habit.

You mention that your son drools continuously. So you’ll also want to teach him the habit of wiping with a handkerchief when not at the dinner table. This includes helping him learn to keep a clean handkerchief handy in a pocket. Another option is have your son wear wrist sweatbands and encourage him to use them to wipe each side of his face regularly.

Both at the dinner table and away, you’ll want to cue your child – perhaps by properly wiping your own mouth – when you see him drooling.

6. Put it all together with rewards.
Be sure to create a reward system to reinforce each step your child takes with chewing, swallowing, wiping and most importantly keeping a clean, dry face. At age 3, you may want to keep this simple – with lots of praise and small rewards. But your son may be old enough to enjoy a token system that involves earning larger rewards such as a favorite activity with you.

One of my favorite resources is How to Stop Drooling, by speech-language pathologist Pam Marshalla. 

Got more questions for our behavioral and medical experts? Send them to GotQuestions@AutismSpeaks. org.

Is Excessive Drooling a Symptom of Autism?

In This Article: What Causes Excessive Drooling in Children? Signs of Autism in Older Babies and Toddlers Excessive Drooling Is a Sign of Other Birth Injuries What to Do if Your Child Is Drooling Excessively Excessive Drooling and Preventable Birth Injuries Discuss Your Concerns With a Birth Injury Lawyer

As the parent of a newborn, it’s normal to feel concerned if your child shows signs of abnormal behavior. Many parents express concern when their child experiences excessive drooling, even when their child enters the toddler phase. But is excessive drooling always a symptom of autism? 

While it can signify a neurological disorder, excessive drooling can also be a sign of other birth injuries. Our guide explains the common causes of extreme drooling in children and what to do if your child exhibits excessive saliva production.

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What Causes Excessive Drooling in Children?

Parents should keep in mind that drooling is normal for the first two years of a child’s life. Research from Healthline reports many causes of drooling, and infants do not develop control of swallowing and mouth muscles until they are 18 to 24 months old. It’s also common for infants to drool while they are going through the teething process.

While excessive drooling can be a sign of autism, it is much more recognizable in older children. Excessive drooling in infants and toddlers can stem from a variety of causes, including:

• Eating a diet high in acidic content, causing excessive saliva production
• Low muscle tone or structural issues
• Difficulty or unwillingness to swallow saliva
• Neurological disorders or birth injuries that produce excess saliva
• Allergies and above-the-neck infections (such as strep throat or tonsil infections)

Excessive Drooling and Autism

For children with autism, sensory input, neurological concerns, and attention deficits lead to excessive drooling. Neurotypical children learn to seal their mouth and swallow between one and a half and two years old, but developmentally delayed children do not.

Children with autism may drool because they lack sensory nerves around the mouth and lips. In other cases, poor muscle control around the neck causes the child to tilt downward, creating a pool of saliva.

Not only is excessive drooling unsightly, but it is also unhygienic. The good news is that with the right autism therapy, you can reduce drooling in your child. Developmental therapists help children with autism strengthen their oral muscles and adapt better posture to prevent excessive drooling.

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Signs of Autism in Older Babies and Toddlers

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common developmental diagnoses in America. Statistics on autism spectrum disorder from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that one in 54 children receive an ASD diagnosis.  

While excessive drooling can be a symptom of ASD, there are usually other indications a child has a developmental disorder. In older babies and toddlers, this may include:

• Avoiding eye contact
• Seeming not to care about watching people
• Failing to respond to their name
• Repetitive motions (such as arm flapping)
• Unusual play habits (like sorting and lining up their toys)
• Missing developmental milestones

If you have concerns about your child’s development and wonder if it could be due to ASD, speak to a trusted pediatrician. You can request a screening to determine if your child is behind in meeting developmental milestones.

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Excessive Drooling Is a Sign of Other Birth Injuries

While excessive drooling is a sign of autism, drooling in young babies can signify another cause. Generally, autism symptoms do not begin until a baby is at least one year old.

In most cases, excessive drooling is the result of teething. However, brain damage due to birth injuries can increase saliva production and cause abnormal drooling in young children.

Cerebral Palsy

Brain damage during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after birth can lead to cerebral palsy symptoms in your child. Due to the area of the brain involved, cerebral palsy often affects muscle control and coordination. This includes oral and throat muscles, making it difficult to close the mouth and swallow excess saliva.

Facial Palsies

Facial palsies, such as Bell’s palsy, occur because of nerve damage on one side of the face. Babies with this condition will likely have one side of the face that droops. As a result, they might not have the ability to move the affected side of the face, leading to excessive drooling.

Neonatal Stroke

A stroke or hemorrhage shortly before or after birth can lead to paralyzed muscles, impaired muscle control, or a lack of muscle coordination. If the child suffered injuries in areas of the brain that control the mouth and throat muscles, it may make it difficult to swallow saliva.

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What to Do if Your Child Is Drooling Excessively

If your child excessively drools, discuss your concerns with your primary care doctor or a pediatric ear-nose-throat specialist. The medical professional can examine your child’s tonsils and salivary glands to determine they are playing a role in saliva production. They will also review your child’s medications, as some prescription drugs can cause excessive drooling.

If everything looks normal, your doctor may administer neurological tests to detect if a birth injury is causing the excessive drooling. The tests will look for brain trauma and cognitive impairments that may be contributing to developmental delays.

If the tests reveal your child has autism, you can work with medical professionals and therapists to teach your child how to stop drooling and enforce proper chewing and swallowing techniques. If your child is drooling due to a birth injury, you can seek the assistance of a qualified birth injury lawyer and file a claim against the at-fault party.

Excessive Drooling and Preventable Birth Injuries

In some cases, your child’s condition may stem from a birth injury. For example, your doctor may have committed an act of medical negligence during the pregnancy or delivery that caused this condition.

If you or your birth injury attorney can prove that your child’s condition occurred because of medical malpractice, you may be able to hold the doctor or medical facility responsible. You could recover compensation to help pay for your child’s care, treatment, and pain and suffering.

Discuss Your Concerns With a Birth Injury Lawyer

If your child sustained traumatic injuries during pregnancy or delivery, your family deserves justice. When you call skilled attorneys at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, you can receive a free case review and consultation. We will discuss your child’s diagnosis and determine if the birth injury resulted from medical malpractice. Contact us now to get started.

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What are the symptoms of autism?

The features of autism are very broad and affect a wide variety of disorders. However, they may vary from child to child. There are 9 groups of main symptoms.

• Speech disorder. Children with autism often start talking much later than their peers. And when they start, they have an extremely small vocabulary (up to 15 words by the age of 2). This does not mean that they have a bad memory, and they are not able to memorize new words. They just rarely use them in speech. Children with ASD often refer to themselves in the 3rd person.
• Motility disorders. Children with ASD often have problems with the development of motor skills: poor coordination, walking on tiptoe, inability to ride a bicycle, amazing balance and at the same time phenomenal clumsiness, increased salivation due to poor muscle tone.
• Problems in socialization. Children with autism experience communication problems. It is difficult to establish eye contact with them – they avoid looking into the eyes of the interlocutor. Often they ignore the speaker as if they were blind or deaf. Being in society, children with autism experience discomfort and anxiety. They do not have abstract thinking, so reading other people’s emotions, jokes, sarcasm, phrases in a figurative sense may be incomprehensible to them. This also prevents them from communicating with people.
• Hypersensitivity. Children with ASD are overly sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, touch, smells, etc. Therefore, in a new place or situation, they are usually uncomfortable and scared. The more various stimuli around, the more likely that the child will not cope with such a load and lose control. Hypersensitivity is also related to the fact that children with autism do not like to be touched, hugged, picked up. Often they cannot stand loud noises, including music. Pungent odors (household chemicals, for example) can also become an irritant. A child can be very attached to everything familiar and have a hard time accepting changes. This can even manifest itself in the fact that he wears the same clothes, eats the same foods (from a very limited list), etc.
• Attacks of aggression. It is difficult for children with ASD to control their emotions, so a strong upset, failure can cause them to have an outburst of anger, provoke a tantrum. At the same time, aggression in children with autism can be directed at others or at themselves. For example, a child may bite or scratch himself, pull out his hair, or bang his head hard on a hard surface.
• Poor interest in toys. Due to poorly developed abstract thinking, children with ASD are not capable of imaginary actions (to stir non-existent tea in a cup with an imaginary spoon, etc.). Such children also do not know how to play with toys, so they often use them outside the box: they can turn the wheels of the typewriter for hours instead of rolling it on the floor. It often happens that children with autism get used to one toy and refuse to play with others. They are very interested in household items with moving elements: a fan with its rotating blades, a washing machine. They can “stick” their eyes to such everyday objects for a long time and not pay attention to any external stimuli.
• Stereotypical behavior, fear of change. Autistic children often perform the same actions for a long time: repeating the same word, running in circles, swaying from side to side, spinning, etc. Rituals and routines are extremely important to them. If it is violated, they fall into panic, aggression.
• Sleep disturbance. Many children with ASD suffer from sleep disorders: they often wake up at night, confusing night and day.
• Violation of the sense of danger. Sometimes children with ASD act as if they have no self-preservation instinct. If they are interested in something, they will not pay attention to the fact that they may be in a life-threatening situation. There is also a reverse situation, when children with autism are excessively anxious and fearful.

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What is autism and where does it come from. Let’s explain in simple words – The secret of the company

Autism is called a whole group of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) – this is how the disease is usually called in medical sources.

Simply put, , autism, or ASD, is when a person has difficulty communicating with other people. And he has a peculiar perception of the world and atypical behavior. For example, he is fixated on a topic or repeats the same actions too often.

Autism is quite common. Every 160 newborns in the world have ASD. At the same time, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the country in 2021 every 44 babies were born with autism.

Where does autism come from

There is no one common cause of ASD. Experts agree that the disorder can be caused by the action of adverse genetic, environmental and psychological factors.

One of the most common causes is heredity. So, according to research, in a child with autism, on average, 5% of relatives have the same disorder. Therefore, to track the entire chain of hereditary causes, experts take into account the microsymptoms of ASD in each parent.

Complications of pregnancy in the mother can also be the cause of ASD in a child. In particular, these are viral diseases or complex toxicosis, leading to a lack of oxygen in the fetus and brain damage. Or even a special kind of diabetes.

Symptoms of autism in children

ASD manifests itself in different ways. It can be difficult for a non-specialist to identify commonalities in patients diagnosed with autism.

Some experts believe that the first manifestations of autism can already be seen in infants, but there is no consensus on this issue. After a year, the symptoms appear brighter, and by the age of two or three, the disorder can already be diagnosed.

Symptoms may improve with age and sometimes disappear completely, but in most cases they persist throughout life.

Specialists identify a triad of symptoms of autism in children:

1. Violations in the sphere of social interaction . The child seems to be tuned “to his own wave”, does not show interest in other children, refuses general games and entertainment. It is difficult to interest him, he does not repeat the actions, movements and sounds of an adult. He also:

• does not notice when parents leave or return;
• gets frustrated when an adult tries to join the game;
• sits alone in the crib and makes loud, monotonous cries;
• does not smile in response to a smile;
• does not respond to the name;
• resists hugs and kisses, does not go to the hands even to parents.

2. Communication disorders . Children with autism tend to learn to speak later than their peers and often do not use gestures. To state what they want, they can use the adult’s hand as a tool by bringing it to the subject. In cases where speech appears, do not use words to communicate. Worse than peers understand the speech addressed to them and fulfill requests. Also such children:

• avoid eye contact;
• repeat words not addressed to anyone.

3. Conduct disorders . They are manifested in the originality, limitations and stereotyping of interests and activities. For example, a child:

• shows an unusual interest in household items (air conditioner, remote control, etc.), can freeze for a long time and look at them;
• spins around its own axis;
• brings objects very close to face and rotates;
• does not play with toys as usual, but, for example, is interested in only one part, spins the wheel of a car, the blade of a helicopter, etc. ;
• often swings his arms many times;
• line up toys;
• plays with fingers in front of his eyes;
• tries to eat inedible objects – bed linen, curtains;
• sways from side to side for a long time while sitting in place;
• clicks the switch for a long time, turning the light on and off.

In addition to this triad, there are other additional signs of autism.

Impaired motor skills

• walks on tiptoe;
• estimation of the distance to the object is broken, this leads to awkwardness;
• poor coordination, difficulty learning to climb stairs;
• cannot ride a bicycle;
• cannot grasp and hold small objects;
• amazing ability to maintain balance with general clumsiness;
• problems with the regulation of the tone of the muscles of the mouth, salivation.

Heightened sensitivity

• can hardly tolerate a number of stimuli acceptable to peers: noise, music, smells, touch, light, etc. Because of this, it is difficult for the child to be in an unusual environment;
• among autistic children there are children who do not feel pain at all or with reduced sensitivity to it. It happens, and vice versa, increased sensitivity to pain;
• does not accept new things: balloons, cake candles, etc.;
• resists washing, undressing, combing, cutting, seat belts;
• may not react at all to loud sounds, but turn around or flinch when they hear a faint sound.

Self harm

• pulls out his hair in tufts;
• knocks head against a hard surface;
• bites and scratches himself, peels off the skin.

This behavior is usually caused by curiosity or decreased sensitivity to pain. The harm can be serious.

Violation of the sense of danger

• lack of self-preservation instinct;
• does not recognize dangerous situations;
• ignores his own negative experience, seeks danger again and again, breaking the rules.

Eating disorders

• excessive sensitivity to the taste of food, agrees to eat only a certain set of foods;
• regular or frequent diarrhea or constipation.

Sleep disorders

• confuses day with night;
• short periods of sleep, waking frequently during the night;
• difficult to put to sleep.

Symptoms of autism in adults

They are also divided into different groups.

Emotions and behavior

Emotional and behavioral symptoms in adults with autism are similar to those of children. This may be repetitive behavior, an unusually strong reaction or lack thereof to sensory stimuli (touch, sound, light, smells). In addition, adults with ASD may have a stronger emotional response to disappointments or a change of scenery.

Communication

Adult patients with ASD may have speech problems: it can be harsh, robotic, and it is difficult for such patients to change their tone of voice (for example, lower their voice if necessary). Speech in a person with autism can be repetitive, built using the same phrases. At the same time, the vocabulary is increased in those areas in which the patient is interested. He is hyper-focused on one area, he wants to constantly talk about it with others.

Adults with autism may not understand other people’s cues, such as gestures, facial expressions, or body language. They also avoid or don’t feel the need to make eye contact with their opponent. At the same time, a person with ASD is not always closed, he can love communication.

There is an opinion that people with autism lack empathy. But, according to a number of studies, patients with ASD have empathy, they just need to learn how to “turn it on”.

Movement coordination

Some adults with autism, like children, are clumsy and find it difficult to perform simple tasks such as walking or tying their shoelaces. This symptom is not taken into account in the diagnosis, since it is not always present.

There are a number of features of people with ASD that can be regarded as positive: this is an amazing concentration, attention to detail, the ability to do one thing for a long time and scrupulously.

Classification of autism

Autism in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is located in a separate group of general disorders of psychological development and has the code F84

Specialists divide patients with ASD into two groups: high-functioning and low-functioning. At one end of this scale are people with severe disabilities who require comprehensive care, at the other end are patients who have a chance of independent living in the future. The place on this segment is determined by the doctor.

However, this division has caused criticism of the environment of people with ASD. They pointed out that non-verbal patients are low-functioning on this scale, but their thinking and ability to communicate are all right.

Therefore, autism is often divided not into clinical forms, but according to the degree of need for support – from full and constant support of a person or partial guardianship to complete independence.

Does acquired autism happen?

It happens that a child develops normally, and then loses some skills, stops talking and is not interested in others. After that, a number of specialists diagnose “acquired autism”. The causes are usually cited as DTP vaccinations, severe stress, head injuries, and serious illnesses.

However, there is no official confirmation of the theory of acquired autism. Experts believe that autism is most likely a hereditary rather than an acquired disorder. In their opinion, diseases, injuries and vaccinations can become a trigger, after which the disease begins to progress.

The horror story about vaccinations did not come about by chance. Rumors that autism may be due to vaccination began to disperse after an article published in the respected medical journal The Lancet in 1998 year. The author of the material, Andrew Wakefield, assured that the weakened measles virus from the vaccine causes inflammation in the intestines, after which autism occurs. He called for abandoning the complex vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella in favor of single vaccines.

At the same time, Wakefield patented his own measles vaccine a year before the article was published. The doctor was caught lying, his material was withdrawn from the magazine, and the man himself was deprived of the right to practice medicine.

The story caused a wide resonance among scientists and physicians. Studies have shown that the prevalence of autism among vaccinated and unvaccinated children was the same.

How autism is diagnosed

There are no instrumental methods or tests that can diagnose ASD with 100% probability. The child needs professional supervision. It may include games, conversations, parental surveys about the behavior of the child at home, about developmental features.

In Russia, the diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist. Allied professionals – pediatricians, neurologists, neuropsychologists and psychologists – can draw the attention of relatives to disturbing symptoms and recommend a doctor’s consultation.

If parents are concerned about their child’s behavioral anomalies, they can take the M-CHAT-R, a special autism test for young children. It is intended for children aged 16-30 months. The test contains 20 closed-type questions (answers “yes” or “no” are implied), at the end points are calculated, and in accordance with the resulting number, the degree of risk is determined.

Is it possible to cure autism

There is no drug therapy for ASD. Medications only help to deal with comorbid disorders: reduce the severity of behavioral problems (for example, hyperactivity or irritability), eliminate sleep disorders, gastrointestinal tract and neurological disorders.

The main therapy is education. For each child with ASD, this process will be individual. Some people need very intensive help to master the skills of speech and behavior in society, and someone can learn complex things on their own, needing only a little support.

Autism Facts

• Patients with ASD can have children. There is a chance that babies will be born without autism. If only one parent has ASD, then the chances are 50/50, if both have it, then about 25%.

• April 2 is World Autism Day. Every year, since 2008, campaigns, educational and other events dedicated to the problem of autism have been held around the world.

• In solidarity with people with autism and their loved ones, to draw public attention to the problems of ASD in the world, the Autism Speaks Foundation annually hosts the Light It Up Blue campaign. Blue is the official color of the organization. In countries participating in the action, buildings are illuminated with blue spotlights. In the Russian Federation, the action has been held since 2013. (autizm-1603608437.html)

• “Remarkable progress has been made in raising awareness and acceptance of autism in recent years, thanks in part to the many outstanding autism advocates who work tirelessly to bring the autism experience to the general public,” the UN website says.