Loneliness and an isolated lifestyle increase the risk of autism
Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that "If an individual who is genetically predisposed to autism is noticed at an early age and receives the right education, they may not show symptoms of autism."
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the reasons for the recent increase in autism and what should be considered in the education of children with autism for AA Strategic Analysis.
The number of children diagnosed with autism increases every year. What are the reasons for this?
In recent years, there has been a significant development in the diagnosis of autism. Autism has been redefined as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurodevelopmental disorders refer to a domain that begins during the prenatal period and relates to brain development. As this area has advanced, the relationship between the brain and behavior has started to be better understood. As a result, identifying neurodevelopmental disorders has become easier and the diagnostic spectrum has broadened. This has led to the inclusion of some ambiguous or suspected conditions within the autism spectrum. Therefore, one of the reasons for the increase in autism diagnoses is this.
Another important factor is the rise in public awareness. Nowadays, children with autism are more easily recognized and are accepted as "special children," which helps in their integration into society. Thanks to this, characteristics such as the social and communicative learning difficulties of autism can be better understood and diagnosed. However, apart from this, there are some unconfirmed and controversial factors as well. Environmental pollution and the accumulation of light metals in the body are among the suspected contributors to the rise in autism. Some studies suggest that factors such as food, asphalt dust, and environmental pollutants may lead to such accumulation. Additionally, the impact of infections contracted by mothers during pregnancy is another subject under consideration. For example, whether the children of mothers who had COVID-19 have a higher rate of autism is currently a significant research topic. Researchers are investigating whether COVID-19 has a negative effect on children's brain cells.
Autism is a multifactorial condition and is not caused by a single gene or factor. However, many studies on genetic predisposition indicate that individuals with a genetic tendency toward autism may develop the condition when exposed to certain environmental factors. In other words, if an individual who is genetically predisposed to autism is identified at an early age and receives proper education, they may not display symptoms of autism.
Is there a connection between technology and the prevalence of autism?
Although there is no definitive evidence examining the relationship between technology and autism, we observe that children who are predisposed to autism tend to be more inclined toward technology. This may be related to repetitive behaviors, which are one of the core symptoms of autism. Children with autism often repeat the same things and are highly attached to routines. They may react strongly when the arrangement of a room is changed. They also have difficulty transitioning to new things and have rigid ways of thinking. For instance, they may develop specific greeting rituals or walking and speaking habits.
Children with autism often show impairments in fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language development, and social abilities. However, some children with autism exhibit particularly high abilities in mathematical intelligence. For example, a child with autism may be able to perform complex calculations with ease while struggling with basic social skills in daily life. This points to a condition referred to as "social autism." Such children may be strong in logical thinking but weak in emotional and social skills.
Among some individuals who are heavily engaged with computer technology, mathematical intelligence may become more prominent, yet social skills may lag behind. This phenomenon can also be observed in certain groups such as hackers. These individuals may possess exceptional intelligence but face difficulties in social relationships. Some studies even refer to cases of "learned autism" resulting from excessive computer use. These cases involve individuals who showed no signs of social skill issues during childhood but began to display differences due to excessive attachment to technology. Fortunately, such cases can often be reversed through environmental changes.
From a biological perspective, the brains of individuals with autism show malfunctioning in structures known as "mirror neurons." Mirror neurons are associated with empathy and help us understand the emotions of others. When these neurons do not function properly, individuals have difficulty understanding their own emotions as well as those of others. This leads to challenges in empathy and difficulties in social interactions for individuals with autism.
In conclusion, the weakness in emotional and social skills observed in individuals with autism stems from the malfunctioning of mirror neurons in their brains. This results in difficulties with social interaction and issues with social adaptation. When diagnosing autism, such symptoms are often clarified through theory of mind tests.
Why is the color of autism blue?
I do notremember exactly when the blue color became associated with autism, but the trend became popular with the “light a blue light” campaign during autism awareness days. This slogan came with a call to “light a blue light at night.”
The color blue has a special meaning, which represents concepts such as boundlessness and freedom. One of the most prominent characteristics of autistic individuals is their difficulty in learning and understanding boundaries. Their struggle to grasp social, emotional, and cognitive boundaries poses significant challenges in their lives.
Therefore, the color blue, symbolizing boundlessness and freedom, may have been chosen as the color associated with autism. The organizers of this campaign may have believed that the inability of autistic individuals to learn boundaries could form a meaningful connection with the symbolism of the color blue. I don’t think there’s any other specific reason, but in this context, choosing the color blue seems quite meaningful.
What should be done to help children with autism integrate into life?
Autism rates have shown a significant increase in recent years. While in the 2000s autism was seen in 1 out of every 150 births, by 2020, this number had risen to 1 in every 36. In other words, the number of children with autism has increased by 5 to 6 times over the course of 20 years. One of the reasons for this increase may be greater awareness. For example, in Sweden, autism rates among children of immigrants from Africa reach levels close to the national average, suggesting that cultural and environmental factors may trigger autism. A fast-paced lifestyle, technology, and modern ways of living are among the factors believed to contribute to the rise in autism.
However, in societies where socialization is minimal and a lifestyle of loneliness and isolation prevails, the risk of autism increases. Single-parent families and fragile family structures can hinder a child's social development. Children learn through social interaction. If a child grows up in a social environment, even if they have a genetic predisposition to autism, it may not be expressed. However, in a child growing up in an isolated environment, this predisposition may become more apparent.
To help children with autism integrate into life, making an accurate diagnosis is very important. Autism is categorized into mild, moderate, and severe levels. In cases of mild autism, children may graduate from high school and university and even establish a married life. However, this requires special education, sensory integration therapy, and occupational therapy. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in the development of children with autism. Establishing the right kind of relationship with an autistic child at an early stage is crucial. It may be difficult to understand these children's laughter or other emotional responses because they experience difficulty in emotional expression.
One of the most common early signs of autism in children is delayed speech. For instance, a child aged 1.5 to 2 years should be able to form two-syllable words. If speech has not developed by the age of 3, this may be a sign of autism. If such a delay is observed in the early stages, it is important to intervene. If a child, especially between the ages of 0-3, spends too much time with screens, the brain's speech production area may not be sufficiently stimulated, which can prevent them from learning to speak. Screen exposure can lead to severe learning difficulties and social learning problems, especially in children with a predisposition to autism. In addition, multiple screen addiction can lead to attention disorders.
Between the ages of 0-3, children should only spend screen time under the supervision of their parents. After the age of 3, screen time should not exceed one hour per day. During this period, children begin to learn abstract concepts, but this process can be disrupted by screen exposure. Therefore, it is very important to control screen use. After an autism diagnosis, screen exposure should be limited.
To help children with autism integrate into life, special education is essential. While other children are playing, one of the main tasks of children with autism is to develop their social skills. When these children grow up in a loving environment, their development can progress much faster. Lack of affection and limited social contact in a society are risk factors for autism. Children who have limited social interaction and play experiences are also at risk for autism.
Teamwork is very important in the treatment of autism. Psychiatrists, occupational therapists, special education experts, and family members work together to support the child's development. Various methods such as special education, art therapy, sensory integration therapy, physical activities, and hippotherapy are used to stimulate the child's developmental areas. Sensory integration therapy, which activates unused areas of the brain, is an effective method in the treatment of autism. Additionally, some specialized magnetic stimulation therapies may also benefit the development of children with autism.
Lastly, parental education is also an important part of autism treatment. Loving relationships within the family prevent the child from acting out. When parents are well-informed, the autistic child becomes less aggressive, expresses themselves better, and does not experience difficulties in social relationships. This process requires long-term treatment, but with proper education and a loving environment, children with autism can be successfully integrated into life.