A preliminary study on autism spectrum disorder: Children from the stars

In the vast universe, there is a group of special children who seem to come from a distant planet. They have a set of thinking patterns that are not understood by ordinary people and are lonely and immersed in their own world. They are what people call "star children" - people with autism. Today, let us unveil this mysterious veil together, deeply understand the definition, historical background and global prevalence of autism, and illuminate their world with the light of warmth and understanding.

1. Autism: The Call of the Stars

Definition revealed:

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is not a mental illness, nor is it a simple lonely personality, but is caused by certain abnormalities in the development of the brain. The core characteristics of autism include social interaction disorders, communication disorders, and repetitive and stereotyped behavior patterns. These characteristics make people with autism face many challenges in their daily lives, but they also have unique talents and potential.

Historical Review:

The concept of autism was first proposed by Leo Kanner, an expert at Johns Hopkins University in the United States in 1943. Since then, the medical community and all walks of life have gradually begun to pay attention to this group. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to designate April 2 of each year as "World Autism Awareness Day" to raise global awareness and attention to autism. This move has greatly promoted the development of autism research and related services.

2. Global epidemic situation: the spread of sparks

The story behind the data:

Autism is on the rise around the world. According to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 36 eight-year-old children is diagnosed with autism, a ratio more than four times that of 20 years ago. What is even more worrying is that the prevalence of autism in boys is about four times that of girls, and more than one-third of autistic children also have intellectual disabilities.

In my country, although large-scale epidemiological survey data is still incomplete, based on the data from some cities, the number of autistic patients has reached millions, and the growth trend has been obvious in recent years. Autism has become the leading disease causing mental disability among children in my country, bringing a heavy burden to families and society.

The plight of the “Star Children”:

The lives of children with autism are full of challenges. They may not be able to understand social rules and have difficulty establishing friendships. Their language expression may be limited and they may not be able to accurately convey their emotions and needs. Their behaviors may be stereotyped and repetitive, and they may resist changes. These characteristics make them stand out in daily life, and may even lead to misunderstanding and exclusion.

However, it is these "star children" who interpret the diversity and beauty of life in their own unique way. They may have extraordinary artistic talent, superb computing ability or extreme love for something. Their existence reminds us that everyone has their own unique value and meaning, and they deserve our acceptance with tolerance and understanding.

3. Entering the world of autism: understanding and care

The social interaction maze:

Social impairment is one of the most prominent features of autistic people. They may avoid eye contact and lack emotional communication with others; they may have difficulty understanding the emotions and intentions of others, leading to embarrassment and conflict in social interactions. In order to help them better integrate into society, we need to learn to observe their behavior patterns, understand their needs and concerns, and provide appropriate support and guidance.

Bridge of communication:

Communication barriers are another major challenge faced by people with autism. They may have delayed language expression or lack of communicative language; they may repeat what others say or make meaningless sounds. In order to build a bridge of communication, we can try to use picture communication systems (PECs), sign language or other non-verbal communication methods to help them express their wishes and emotions.

The secret of behavior:

The behaviors of people with autism often show stereotyped and repetitive characteristics. They may be overly obsessed with certain things and stick to fixed living habits and daily activities. Although these behaviors may seem incomprehensible, they are a unique way for them to deal with the world. We need to respect their behavioral patterns, avoid excessive intervention and forced changes, and guide them to develop more flexible and diverse behaviors.

4. Scientific intervention: lighting up the light of hope

Early detection, early intervention:

The key to autism recovery lies in early detection, early diagnosis and early intervention. Parents and teachers should pay close attention to the growth and development of their children. Once early signs of autism are found, they should seek medical treatment in time and receive professional evaluation and intervention. The younger the age, the greater the plasticity of brain development, and the more obvious the intervention effect.

Diversified intervention methods:

Currently, there are various intervention methods for autism, including behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, family therapy, etc. These methods are aimed at promoting the patient's language development, improving social interaction skills, correcting bad behaviors and alleviating neuropsychiatric symptoms. Parents and teachers can choose appropriate intervention methods according to the specific situation of their children and implement them under the guidance of professionals.

The power of family:

The recovery of autism cannot be separated from the support and companionship of the family. Parents are the most important communication partners and social media for children. They need to learn how to communicate with their children, how to teach their children to communicate, and how to deal with their children's emotional and behavioral problems. Through family intervention and training, parents can help their children develop healthier living habits and social skills, laying a solid foundation for their future lives.

Social care:

The growth and development of autistic people require the care and support of the whole society. The government should increase investment in autism research and services, and improve the number and quality of rehabilitation institutions and professionals; schools should strengthen inclusive education for autistic students and provide them with a suitable learning environment and resources; all sectors of society should strengthen publicity and education on autism and improve the public's awareness and understanding of autism.

5. Conclusion: Build a starry sky of love together

Although autistic children live in their own world, they also long to be understood, accepted and loved. Let us work hand in hand to light their way forward with love and wisdom; let us work together to create a more inclusive, warm and beautiful world for "children with autism". In this process, we will not only gain the joy of growth and a sense of accomplishment, but also discover the most precious value and meaning in life.

Autism is no longer an untouchable mystery, it has become the direction of our common concern and efforts. Let us use the power of love and hope to jointly unveil the mystery of "star children" and make their world more wonderful and warm because of our existence.