Autism: Understanding the Spectrum, Supporting the Child
Autism isn’t a disease. It’s a different way the brain processes the world.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may see, hear, feel, and respond differently — not wrongly, just differently.
Some speak late. Some speak too much. Some avoid eye contact. Some stare at spinning fans for hours.
Some struggle with noise, touching clothes, brushing teeth — yet can solve puzzles, remember calendars, or identify cars by sound.
This wide variation is why it’s called a spectrum.
🧠 What Is Autism?
According to DSM-5/ICD-11, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by:
1️⃣ Difficulties in Social Communication & Interaction
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Limited eye contact or response to name
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Prefers to play alone, doesn’t share interests
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Doesn’t understand gestures, facial expressions, or others’ feelings
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May not point to show interest (“Look, airplane!”)
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Difficulty making friends or maintaining conversations
2️⃣ Restricted or Repetitive Behaviours
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Hand flapping, rocking, spinning, lining up toys
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Strong need for routine — small changes lead to meltdowns
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Intense interests (e.g., fans, wheels, alphabets, train schedules)
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Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sound, touch, light, taste
Symptoms appear before 3 years of age, though diagnosis may happen later.
📍 Early Signs by Age
| Age Group | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| 6–12 months | No eye contact, no social smile, doesn’t respond to name |
| 12–18 months | No pointing, no waving bye-bye, no meaningful words |
| 18–24 months | No pretend play, doesn’t bring objects to show parents |
| 2–4 years | Delayed speech, repetitive play, walks on toes, avoids other children |
| School-age | Talks but doesn’t understand social cues, rigid thinking, sensory issues, emotional outbursts |
❌ Myths vs Facts (Especially in India)
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “He’ll start talking on his own.” | Early therapy is crucial — waiting loses time. |
| “Autism is caused by bad parenting.” | Autism is neurodevelopmental, not parental failure. |
| “Vaccines cause autism.” | Scientific studies worldwide show no link. |
| “Mobile phones caused this.” | Screen time worsens speech delay, but does not cause autism. |
| “Autistic children are mentally retarded.” | Many have normal or high intelligence; difficulty is in expression, not thinking. |
| “They can’t learn or improve.” | With early therapy, many improve dramatically and lead independent lives. |
🌟 Why Early Intervention Matters (Birth–6 Years)
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Brain is most flexible (neuroplasticity) in early childhood
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Speech, social, and behavioural training works best before age 6
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The earlier we start, the better the child adapts to school and society
🛠️ Treatment – No Magic Pill, But Structured Support
There is no medicine that cures autism, but the right therapies help children communicate, learn, and reduce behavioural issues.
✅ Evidence-Based Therapies:
| Therapy | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) | Teaches communication, reduces tantrums, builds functional behaviour |
| Speech Therapy | Improves speech, comprehension, social communication |
| Occupational Therapy (OT/Sensory Integration) | Helps with sitting tolerance, handwriting, dressing, eating, sensory issues |
| Social Skills Training | Understanding friends, rules, turn-taking, sharing |
| Special Education / Early Intervention Programs | Prepares child for school, teaches basic academic skills |
💊 Medications Are Only Used For:
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Severe hyperactivity or impulsivity (ADHD symptoms)
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Aggression or self-injury
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Anxiety, obsessions, sleep problems
Medicines help symptoms — not core autism.
🧩 How Can Parents Help?
✅ Accept the child — Autism is a difference, not a character flaw
✅ Use name, eye contact while talking — speak slowly, simply
✅ Reduce screen time (mobiles/TV) — increase real play
✅ Use picture charts, visual schedules
✅ Reward good behaviour, ignore non-harmful repetitive actions
✅ Avoid excessive scolding, beating, shame — it increases anxiety and aggression
✅ Encourage siblings and family to be patient, not judgmental
🇮🇳 Autism in India – Unique Challenges
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Late diagnosis due to “sharma, samay ke saath theek ho jaayega” attitude
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Lack of awareness in grandparents, schools, rural areas
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Parents struggle to get school admission or inclusive education
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Families undergo guilt, marriage stress, financial pressure
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Still labelled as “mental”, “paagal”, “nazar lag gayi”, “karma”
Awareness + Acceptance = First Step to Help
✅ Can Children with Autism Improve?
🌟 Yes — especially when supported early.
Many children begin to talk, make eye contact, learn reading, writing, and even attend mainstream schools.
Some grow up to do well in IT, arts, engineering, music, design — especially when their strengths are nurtured and social skills are trained.
👨⚕️ About the Author
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T
MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB Psychiatry
Consultant Child, Adolescent & Neurodevelopment Specialist
Mind & Memory Clinic – Apollo Clinic (Opp. Phoenix MarketCity), Velachery, Chennai – 600042
📞 +91-8595155808 | 🌐 www.srinivasaiims.com
I work with children with autism, ADHD, speech delay, behavioural issues, learning problems and offer parent training, therapy planning and structured developmental plans tailored to each child.