Challenges of Autism in everyday life

Autism is a type of spectrum disorder. It is called Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism spectrum is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder in which many types of mental problems or disabilities can occur together. Due to such neurological or neurological problems, the normal development of the brain is hindered, which also manifests as mental developmental complications. This problem is usually observed between 18 months of birth and 3 years of age with behavioral and emotional limitations of the child. It results in speaking, correctly pronouncing words, and understanding of learning new things. Making social connections is a big challenge for the child.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC reports that one in every 54 children is diagnosed with autism. Children with autism may have communication and social interaction difficulties, including restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, and an inability to function effectively in school, work, and other areas of life. Common challenges include social phobia, hyperactivity or rumination, compulsive behavior, phobias, hypervigilance  (the elevated state of constantly assessing potential threats around you), or seeming "shell shocked" symptoms (post-traumatic stress disorder occurring under wartime conditions that cause intense stress, symptoms that included headache, sleeplessness, problems with memory and concentration, mood disorders such as anger and depression, and impulsiveness). Avoidance behaviors, rigid routines and resistance to change, impulsive and self-injurious behaviors.

Autism affects the child's daily life because it is a developmental disorder. A child with autism can often find it difficult to learn and manage everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, brushing teeth, packing school bags, or simple daily tasks such as making the bed or setting the table.

Families of autistic children and their caregivers experience many challenges. A child with autism may be challenging - they may be restless, have trouble sleeping, eating, speaking, many of them experience seizures, or maybe depressed or hyperstimulated.

Children with autism face challenges. School activities can be especially challenging for those with autism spectrum disorder, formerly known as Asperger's syndrome. Social Interactions, Busy or Chaotic Environments, Intense sensory  Stimulations and Changes in expected routines are challenging.

The negative effect of autism impact on children. Long-term effects of autism include social isolation, family conflict, difficulty forming and maintaining friendships, difficulty relating to adults, difficulty empathizing, and difficulty living independently. while others are able to live and work on their own. Many children also have sleep problems.

Autism affects family and friends in many ways. Some studies show that children with autism face a variety of challenges, which significantly negatively affects parenting and family functioning. It can also create significant stress on family members, which creates a social and communicative effect on everyone in the family. The entire family living with a child with autism, such as parents, siblings, and in some families grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, is also affected. Families dealing with the complex needs of a child with autism face many stresses, emotional, financial, and sometimes physical.

However, we have to comfort the autistic child. What to do during a very loud, very public meltdown? Be empathetic, empathy means accepting and accepting their struggles, listening to and acknowledging their struggles

without judgment. Make them feel safe, love. Focus on the child, don't look at the bystanders. At this time, all kinds of sensory tools kits should be excluded and the child should be supported according to his needs, later when the child comes down, he should be understood. The child should be told what to do next, and how to deal with such problems.

Dr. Selina Sultana, consultant in the Department of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Child Development and Pediatrics, Better Life Hospital, and former autism specialist at Dhaka Community Medical College and Hospital.