Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "An individual genetically predisposed to autism may not show symptoms of autism if detected early and provided with proper education."
Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the reasons for the increase in autism in recent years and what should be considered in the education of children with autism for AA Strategic Analysis.
The number of children diagnosed with autism is increasing every year. What are the reasons for this?
In recent years, there has been a significant development regarding the diagnosis of autism. Autism has been redefined as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurodevelopmental disorders encompass an area related to brain development, starting in the prenatal period. With the development in this field, the relationship between the brain and behavior began to be better understood. Thus, it became easier to recognize neurodevelopmental disorders, and the diagnostic spectrum expanded. This situation led to the inclusion of some ambiguous or suspicious conditions into the autism spectrum. Therefore, this is one of the reasons for the increase in autism diagnoses.
Another important factor is the increasing awareness in society. Now, children with autism are being noticed more and their integration into society is being ensured by being accepted as "special children." In this way, characteristics of autism such as social and communicative learning difficulties can be better understood and diagnosed. However, there are also some unconfirmed and controversial factors. Especially environmental pollution and the accumulation of light metals in the body are among the areas thought to cause an increase in autism. Some research exists suggesting that factors such as food, asphalt dust, and environmental pollutants lead to this accumulation. Additionally, the effect of mothers contracting infections during the prenatal period is another topic being emphasized. For example, whether the rate of autism increases in children of mothers who had Covid-19 is currently an important research topic. It is being investigated whether Covid-19 has a negative effect on children's brain cells.
Autism is a multifactorial disease and is not dependent on a single gene or cause. However, many studies on genetic predisposition show that individuals with a susceptibility to autism may develop autism when exposed to certain environmental factors. In other words, an individual genetically predisposed to autism may not show symptoms of autism if detected early and provided with proper education.
Is there a connection between technology and the prevalence of autism?
While there is no definitive evidence examining the relationship between technology and autism, we observe that children prone to autism are more inclined towards technology. This may be related to repetitive behaviors, one of the core symptoms of autism. Children with autism often repeat the same things; for example, they are strictly attached to their routines. They may react excessively if the room's arrangement changes. Additionally, they experience difficulty transitioning to new things and have rigid thought patterns. For instance, they may develop specific greeting rituals, walking, or speaking habits.
Children with autism generally also exhibit impairments in fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language development, and social skills. However, some children with autism show a high aptitude, especially in mathematical intelligence. For example, a child with autism might easily perform complex calculations but struggle with basic social skills in daily life. This points to a condition defined as "social autism." Such children may be strong in logical thinking but remain weak in emotional and social skills.
In some individuals overly engrossed in computer technology, mathematical intelligence may stand out, yet deficiencies in social skills can be observed. This situation can also be seen in certain groups, such as hackers. These individuals may possess extraordinary intelligence but struggle in social relationships. Some research even mentions cases of learned autism resulting from excessive computer use. These cases involve individuals who showed no symptoms in social skills during childhood but differentiated due to excessive attachment to technology. Fortunately, such cases can be corrected with environmental changes and return to their former state.
Looking at the biological dimension of autism, structures called "mirror neurons" do not function properly in the brains of individuals with autism. Mirror neurons are neurons related to empathy and help us understand the emotions of others. When these neurons do not function properly, the person struggles to understand their own emotions and the emotions of others. This leads to individuals with autism being unable to empathize in social interactions and experiencing difficulties in relationships.
In conclusion, the weakness in emotional and social skills in individuals with autism stems from the improper functioning of mirror neurons in their brains. This leads to difficulties in social interaction and experiencing social maladaptation. When making a definitive diagnosis of autism, such symptoms are usually clarified with theory of mind tests.
Why is the color of autism blue?
I don't exactly remember when the blue color of autism started, but this trend gained popularity with a blue light campaign during autism awareness days. Along with this slogan, a call was made to "light it up blue at night."
The color blue has a special meaning; blue light expresses concepts like boundlessness and freedom. One of the most prominent characteristics of autistic individuals is their difficulty in learning and understanding boundaries. Failing to grasp social, emotional, and intellectual boundaries constitutes a significant challenge in their lives.
For this reason, blue, symbolizing boundlessness and freedom, may have been chosen as a color associated with autism. Those who initiated this project thought that the color blue could establish a meaningful connection with the fact that autistic individuals cannot learn their boundaries. I don't think there's another special reason, but I believe the choice of blue in this context is quite meaningful.
What should be done to integrate children with autism into life?
Autism rates have shown a significant increase in recent years. While in the 2000s, autism was seen in 1 in 150 births, by 2020, this rate was recorded as 1 in 36 births. This means that the number of children with autism increased 5-6 times within 20 years. One of the reasons for this increase may be increased awareness. For example, the autism rate in Sweden, among children of immigrants from Africa, approaches the average level of their host country. This suggests that cultural and environmental factors can trigger autism. A fast pace of life, technology, and modern lifestyle can be counted among the factors leading to the increase in autism.
Furthermore, in societies where socialization is low, and loneliness and an isolated lifestyle prevail, the risk of autism increases. Single-parent families and fragile family structures can hinder children's social development. Children learn through social interaction. If a child grows up in social environments, they may not show genetic expression even if they have a predisposition to autism. However, this predisposition can become more pronounced in a child growing up in an isolated environment.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for integrating children with autism into life. Autism is divided into mild, moderate, and severe degrees. In mild autism, children can complete high school and university and even establish marital life. However, special education, sensory integration therapy, and occupational therapy are required for this. Early diagnosis can make a big difference in the development of children with autism. Establishing a correct relationship with a child with autism at an early stage is very important. Understanding these children's laughter or other emotional reactions can be difficult because they experience difficulty in emotional transmission.
Among the most common early symptoms in children with autism is delayed speech. For example, a child aged 1.5-2 years should be able to form two-syllable words. If speech has not developed by age 3, this could be a symptom of autism. If such a delay is observed in the early period, intervention is important. If a child spends too much time with screens, especially between 0-3 years of age, they may not learn to speak because the language production area in their brain is not adequately stimulated. Screen exposure, if there is a predisposition to autism, can lead to severe learning difficulties and social learning problems. Furthermore, multiple screen addiction can also cause attention disorders.
Between 0-3 years of age, children should only spend time with screens under parental supervision. After 3 years of age, screen time should not exceed 1 hour per day. During this period, children begin abstract learning, but this process can be interrupted by screen exposure. Therefore, controlling screen use is very important. Screen exposure should be limited after an autism diagnosis.
Special education is essential for integrating children with autism into life. While other children play, one of the biggest tasks for children with autism is to develop their social skills. When these children grow up in a loving environment, their development can be much faster. Lack of love and societies with little social contact create risk factors for autism. Furthermore, children with limited social interaction and play experiences are at risk for autism.
Teamwork is very important in the treatment of children with autism. Psychiatrists, occupational therapists, special education specialists, and family members work together to support children's development. Various methods such as special education, artistic therapies, sensory integration treatments, physical activities, and hippotherapy are used to stimulate children's developmental areas. Sensory integration therapy, which activates unused areas of the brain, is an effective method in autism treatment. Additionally, some special magnetic stimulation treatments can also be beneficial in the development of children with autism.
Finally, parent education is also an important part of autism treatment. Loving relationships within the family prevent the child from acting out. When parents are conscious, the child with autism becomes less aggressive, expresses themselves better, and experiences fewer difficulties in social relationships. This process requires long-term treatment, but with proper education and a loving environment, children with autism can be integrated into life.