2 April is World Autism Day. Autism (Autism) is one of the most common classes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because of the habits of Hong Kong, Taiwan and other places, it is often called autism.
The latest US disease control data reports that one in 44 children may have a loneliness spectrum disorder [1].
But, you know what?
There is also a condition that is very similar to the manifestations of autism, called "pseudo-autism".
What is "pseudo-autism"? What is the difference between "pseudo-autism" and autism? Can "pseudo-autism" still recover?
Today, Brother Dian will take you to understand this problem.
Autism and autism are different names for a disease, a developmental disorder that occurs in early childhood and can lead to social disturbances, communication disorders, interest limitations, and stereotyped repetitive behaviors [2].
At present, the cause of autism is still unknown. However, early diagnosis and intervention in the treatment of children with autism will enhance the life ability and language ability of autistic babies and improve the quality of life.
In real life, there are always bao moms who are worried, and find that their children do not like to talk, are unwilling to interact with others, and are indifferent to the things around them. Bring the child to the hospital for examination, and the doctor said it was not autism.
What's going on here? What exactly is to be done?
The child's situation may be "pseudo-autism".
There is a certain degree of difference between "pseudo-autism" and true autism, so some scholars have supplemented this concept based on the clinical symptoms of some children.
At present, "pseudo-autism" has not yet become an internationally recognized disease, which can be understood as an abnormal state that is close to but does not meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Professor Liu Huaqing of Beijing Huilongguan Hospital believes that "pseudo-autism" is the opposite of true autism, which can also be called functional autism.
Children with pseudoutism have no organic lesions in the areas of the brain responsible for thinking, and they can have normal thinking abilities [3].
Due to the lack of development of acquired abilities in certain aspects, such as perception ability, observation ability, imitation ability, etc., or not being correctly guided in the process of growth, it affects the intellectual development of this part of the baby.
The causes of "pseudo-autism" differ from those of autism:
The causes of intellectual developmental disorders in children with autism are still unclear, but most of them are congenital factors, related to genetic factors and organic damage, resulting in serious psychological function.
The brains of children with "pseudo-autism" are often free of organic damage and can have normal thinking ability. It is due to the lack of development of a certain aspect of the ability in the day after tomorrow, which leads to the temporary backwardness of learning and living ability.
(Source: giphy)
In terms of performance, there are also differences between autism and "pseudo-autism":
Children with autism are often accompanied by communication disorders and stereotyped behaviors, do not like to talk to people, lack eye contact, have no physical interaction, and are often accompanied by repetitive, stereotyped behaviors; and often have similar signs from infancy.
Children with "pseudo-autism" generally behave more simply and are less accompanied by stereotyped behaviors. They are only temporary behavioral backwardness and abnormalities, and if the cause is removed and properly guided, the symptoms will improve.
In the process of growing up, the development of various abilities is like a balance, and being affected by different factors may lead to imbalance of the balance, and some abilities are extremely weak and others are extremely strong, and it is possible to lose some or all of its psychological functions, resulting in lifelong mental retardation, and showing traits similar to true autism [3].
For example, timid children do not dare to look at people, and feel afraid and afraid of what is happening around them, which will manifest as staying away and hiding. They don't dare to face anything head-on, so they lose the opportunity to gain knowledge.[3]
For such children, if they fail to improve their self-control and courage during the critical period of intellectual development, they will gradually evolve into intellectual disabilities with age, which is also typical of pseudo-autism.
For example, children with severe lack of concentration are unable to acquire knowledge due to lack of concentration. At the same time, their ability to concentrate failed to improve during critical periods of intellectual development, resulting in intelligence lagging behind their peers, which is also typical of "pseudo-autism" [3].
In general, if these causes of autism symptoms in a child improve, then the child's condition will improve.
However, long-term communication with the outside world is not smooth, which will have a negative impact on the child's future learning and communication.
Can "pseudo-autism" be cured?
It depends on the situation, and the relevant treatment methods are being explored diligently by doctors and scholars!
Early detection for parents, it is very important to provide positive guidance and professional counseling and treatment!
If your child has social and communication barriers and is not diagnosed with autism. In addition to actively cooperating with the doctor's advice, the following practices can be taken in life:
1. Establish a harmonious parent-child relationship
Appropriately increase parent-child interaction, take children to doodle, moderate exercise, etc., and improve children's behavior through games.
2. Enrich the social environment
Bring children into contact with unfamiliar environments at the right time, provide children with opportunities to contact the outside world, and encourage and guide children to adapt to changes in the environment.
3. Sufficient psychological care
Do not impose excessive demands on the child, pay more attention to the child's emotions, and help the child build confidence.
Moms don't have to stubbornly struggle with truth and falsehood. It is more important to pay attention to the mental health of children, guide them correctly, and actively seek the support and assistance of professionals.
Finally, may every child be healthy and lovely and grow up happily!
Reviewers:
Song Chongsheng
Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
Hu Qiang
Doctoral student and deputy chief physician of Shanghai Mental Health Center
bibliography
[1]. Matthew J. Maenner, Kelly A. Shaw, Amanda V. Bakian,et al.. Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2018. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services，Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2021,70(11):1–16.
[2]. Kanner L. Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child. 1943;2(3):217–250.
Chen Qi,Liu Huaqing. Classification and interventional training of true and false autism[J].Chinese Community Physicians,2019,35(28):6-10.
Editors: Wei Luo, Zhang Xiaoyi, Ye Zhengxing
Typesetting: Han Ningning | Proofreader: Wu Yihe
Operations: Li Yongmin | Coordinator: Wu Wei