Autism, through the eye of a counsellor

Along Aier

MA PSY, MPHIL (Counselling)


The topic of mental illness is, very often than we would prefer, a considerably neglected area of concern to the point of being an embarrassment to talk about. Autism is one such topic many might be familiar with but have vague or limited understanding of what it really is or how an autistic person might behave. We might have come across some children, or even our own, simply ‘different’ from the rest of their siblings. 


Although it is hard practicing what we read and learn, it is always easier to read about something which is already in black and white. It is again more difficult to speak about something which is already tough enough to handle. Undoubtedly mental illness stimulates the kind of mental trauma and unease which is unpleasant for those experiencing firsthand as family members and those trying to find avenues to talk about it. 


In Western countries, with an encouraging number of celebrities and influential people coming forth with their struggles of having to experience habits and disorders within the family, people are starting to be more accepting of disorders as conditions and the walls are being slowly broken down as ‘experiences’ are being discussed out in the open. This has led to acceptance and understanding of what these people might be going through.  Countries like India where a majority of the people still inhabit rural places with minimal access to modern technology, superstitions and irrational belief system unfortunately continues to have a strong influence over the people. Anything other than the customary can be ascribed to the supernatural forces and possessions and even hexing. 


Despite the fact that tremendous progress is being made in the psychological field to fight with this disorder, the fact still remains that a significant number of people are still ignorant about the symptoms, characteristics, progress in the field, and the impact of stigma labelled to those individuals involved. Social awareness deployed regarding this aspect has helped substantially over the years nonetheless there are still misconceptions pertaining to autism. Therefore this write up will attempt to peruse on the subject and present the modality of its nature for our general understanding. 


When we hear the term autism, we immediately assume people with special needs, disability or something worse without really trying to understand its nature. To be perfectly clear, it is neither a physical nor mental disability. In its original sense, it is referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and it is a developmental disorder which impairs children in the area of communication, social interaction and sensory processing. It is referred to as spectrum because no two affected people behave in the exact manner. 


ICD-10 (World Health Organization, 1990) classifies autism under the pervasive developmental disorders, a group of conditions characterized by qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interaction, idiosyncratic patterns of communication and by a restricted, stereotyped, repetitive repertoire of interests and activities.

 

Causes

The first attribute for this disorder is seen as Genetic Factors. Research reveals that it is 50 to 200 times more prevalent in siblings of autistic probands than in general population. Having an autistic child increases the chances of having a second autistic child by 5%.


There is also the Environmental Factor involved such as premature birth, foetal alcohol syndrome, maternal obesity, pregnancy diabetes and certain pregnancy medications. Other environmental factors will be pesticides, herbicides, mercury and lead. 


Paternal Age is another factor seen when it comes to autism. Teenage mothers and women over 40 years tend to have more autistic children than compared to other mothers. The age of fathers above 50 years give high risk factor of 50-70% chances than fathers below this age group. 


There were fears and consensus that vaccination leads to autism and there are cases where parents failed to vaccinate their children because of this fear. However it is to be noted that there is no link between vaccination and autism. 


Challenges for people with Autism in daily life

Communication: People within the spectrum vary when it comes to speech. Some have no verbal skills, some use only single words, some lack comprehension skills, slow processing of questions and what is said, stress can further hamper their speech. Some use many words and speak correctly, but most use scripting and repeated phrases, only a smaller population have well developed language skills.

 

Socialising: What seems normal and easy for most people poses a great challenge for people with autism. Socialization is not their forte. Many individuals experience social anxiety, find social gatherings and interaction difficult and stressful. Furthermore many individuals may not comprehend social queues and norms. They will fail to develop peer relationships appropriate of their age, share jokes and enjoyments or show interest in others’ success and achievements. They simply lack social and emotional reciprocity. 

 

Sensory: Sensory integration or experience may be over or underdeveloped whereby making them develop strong dislike of particular smells, noises, textures, tastes or sights which can lead to physical reactions or behavior in everyday life surroundings. Similarly there will be instances where they will have strong likes for certain textures and materials which will be soothing and calming for them. 


Organization: This is also an area of concern for people with autism. They can be seen as creatures of habits and may struggle to hold a job efficiently because of the flexibility as situations demands or commuting on public transports. Similarly most of them are very organized and in order in whatever they do, hence interference in their work can lead to stressful situations. 

 

Stimming: ‘Stimming’ is a term used for repetitive stimulatory physical actions. Generally people have the habit of drumming on tables, tapping of feet when anxious and so on. Likewise people with autism also have their own way of stimming however their way stimming is more obvious and stands out for those around them. Ignorant of their surroundings, they may jump, spin around, flap their hands or even emit a loud shout depending on their choice.

 

Concentration: People with autism may find it difficult to stay focused on any particular task unless it is something of their liking therefore making it difficult to live a ‘normal’ life.When it is something they enjoy, they will be highly focus and interfering can cause anxiety or irritation. 

 

Anxiety and Stress: Everyone has certain levels of anxiety and stress within yet with experience; we have come to deal with our issues. Yet they have high anxiety and stress already and it takes little to push them off their limits.


There were numerous diseases in the past and people feared the worst yet with knowledge came acceptance, and with acceptance came empowerment for the effected. Autism is a lifelong disorder and there is no known cure. Parents and family members are silently suffering because of stereotyping and fear of social rejection. There is strong evidence that appropriate, lifelong educational approaches, support for families and professionals, and provision of high quality community services can dramatically improve the lives of persons with ASD and their families. Many children with autism can develop significantly with early, well-planned and individually tailored educational efforts in specially adapted settings.

 

Autism in children: Reasons, Signs and Treatment. 
Developmental Disorders: 
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Fuentes, Joaquin et.al
AsYouCan – Introduction to Autism
An Introduction to Autism, Zander, Eric

Along Aier is currently a therapist for Autism and based in Dimapur.