World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2 to spread awareness about the medical condition. It also aims to draw attention to the various challenges that people with autism face in their day-to-day routine.
The theme for this year is “inclusion in the workplace”. A number of events and seminars are organised to spread awareness.
These are some of the symptoms of autism
Being lost in one’s own thoughts
Not being social
Not communicating with others
Not being able to hold eye contact while talking
Being silent and not smiling or laughing ever
Lack of speech development on time
Natural detest towards any sort of touch or hugs
Not responding to someone calling out by name
Not being able to point out any object
Repetition of same behavioural pattern
Now, the question that often comes up in this regard is whether pregnancy can cause autism in children. As per a number of studies, lack of folic acid and Vitamin D in women during pregnancy can increase the chances of autism in the child. A mother’s diet is considered one of the factors to “influence a child’s odds of having autism.” In some cases, it is said that genes “determine about 50 to 95 percent of the risk”.
In the United States, one in 88 children suffers from autism spectrum disorder.
Experts have said, ‘Some kids are profoundly affected, speaking very little or not at all and focusing obsessively on just a few interests. Others have milder problems communicating and reading social cues, such as other people’s gestures and facial expressions.”
