Today is World Autism Day. Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder first described in 1943 by Leo Kanner. The disorder may affect on an average 1 in 1000 children. The disorder is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, restricted repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities and must be present from early developmental period. The disorder has strong genetic underpinning as demonstrated by family and twin studies. Parents usually get concerned from 12 to 18 months of age and a definite clinical diagnosis can be done around 3 years of age. Almost around 50% patients with this disorder also have intellectual disabilities. The mainstay of treatment is educational approaches and behaviour therapy. Though there is no definitive medicine for the condition, but certain medicines may be beneficial for some specific symptoms. Such target symptoms may include self injury, aggression, stereotyped movements, over activity etc. The disorder is generally a lifelong disability , with most individuals needing significant family and community support.
