Sia reveals autism spectrum diagnosis; know more about the condition

On the podcast, Sia also said no one can “love you when you’re filled with secrets and living in shame.” “And then we finally sit in a room full of strangers and tell them our deepest, darkest, most shameful secrets, and everybody laughs along with us, and we don’t feel like pieces of trash for the first time in our lives, and we feel seen for the first time in our lives for who we actually are, and then we can start going out into the world and just operating as humans and human beings with hearts and not pretending to be anything,” she added.

To understand more about the condition, we reached out to experts who explained that autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. “Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) means developmental disabilities leading to social, communication, and behavioural challenges in kids. This condition needs immediate medical attention,” Dr Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher and Founder of StemRx BioScience Solutions, India said.

Agreeing, Dr Sindhura Munukuntla, Consultant Paediatrician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad said that autism impairs a child’s ability in three crucial areas of development: social, communication, and cognition. “Additionally, there is an intrinsic propensity for monotonous actions and constrained interests. Early correction of these deviations will improve the child’s prognosis,” she said.

What causes it?

The causes of autism spectrum disorder are numerous and varied. “Environmental, biological, and genetic factors are only a few of the many that have been shown to increase a child’s risk of having ASD,” Dr Munukuntla said, adding that although we don’t know much about particular reasons, the data suggests that the following factors may increase a child’s chance of ASD:

*Having an ASD sibling
*Having specific chromosomal or genetic problems, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
*Having issues during childbirth
*Having elderly parents

Dr Mahajan said that autism treatments include behavioural therapy, speech-language therapy, play-based therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional therapy (Source: Getty Images)

How to manage autism?

Dr Munukuntla said that early diagnosis and intervention are most beneficial and can enhance a child’s behaviour, abilities, and language development. “Since autism is a condition rather than an illness, there is no medication to treat it other than for co-morbid problems like hyperactivity, anxiety, etc. The prognosis is very excellent if the condition is identified early and treatment is initiated at a young age. Autism can only be treated by interventions in the form of therapy,” she said.

Dr Mahajan said that autism treatments include behavioural therapy, speech-language therapy, play-based therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional therapy. “Your treating doctor will guide you regarding this. So, be careful and follow the guidelines given by the doctor,” he concluded.

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