World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) | Autism Spectrum Disorder Day
All About Autism: What is Autism? What is ASD? Is ASD and Autism the same? What’s the difference between ASD vs. Autism vs. Asperger's Syndrome?
World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is commemorated on April 2nd every year to raise awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The day is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder Day.
This April, we have created a series of articles on ASD to provide accurate and positive information about ASD. The series aims to increase awareness about autism, reduce stigma, and share useful information on ASD.
What is Autism? Is ASD and Autism the same?
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term frequently used interchangeably with autism.
There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association, people with ASD have:
- Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
- Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
- Symptoms that hurt the person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life
Diagnoses from DSM-IV such as Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Autistic Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Not Otherwise Specified) are now all included within the umbrella of ASD under DSM-5.
For more information on What is Autism: https://www.autismpartnershipsg.com/about-asd/what-is-autism/
What’s the difference between ASD vs. Autism vs. Asperger's Syndrome?
ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is a term frequently used interchangeably with autism. Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of autism. This condition affects how a person makes sense of the world and relates to others. Several traits of autism are common to Asperger’s Syndrome, including difficulties in communicating, social relationships, and a lack of social imagination and creative play.
Several traits of autism are common to Asperger’s Syndrome, including difficulties in communicating, social relationships, and a lack of social imagination and creative play.
Persons with Asperger’s Syndrome usually have fewer difficulties with language than those with classical autism, often speaking fluently, though their words can sometimes sound formal or ‘unusual’ to the listener. Even though they have few difficulties with language, they do have significant difficulties with social aspects of communication.
Many children with Asperger’s Syndrome can adapt to learning in a mainstream school setting. With the right support and encouragement, they can make good progress and go on to further education and employment options.
Note: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which was published in May 2013 no longer includes Asperger’s disorder as a separate diagnosis and has homogenized it under autism spectrum disorder, with severity measures within the broader diagnosis.
Source: https://www.autism.org.sg/living-with-autism/what-is-autism
For more information: https://www.autismpartnershipsg.com/about-asd/what-is-autism/
What causes Autism?
The cause of ASD remains unknown. However, there are certain potential risk factors that may increase the risk of ASD such as:
Genes and Heredity
- If there is a close family member who has the diagnosis, such as a sibling, twin, or parent, the chances of another child having the same diagnosis are much higher.
- There is also a strong scientific evidence is that genetics play a significant role in contributing to the occurrence of ASD. Studies show the concordance rate for identical twins is much higher than for fraternal twins, and ongoing research is beginning to identify genes that may put an individual at risk.
- There is a list of genetic disorders that are linked to ASD, including Fragile X Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis. Having these genes may also increase the risk of ASD.
Age of Parents
- Children born to older parents are at greater risk of developing ASD.
Additionally, there have been more postulations on the relationship between environmental toxins, diets, vaccines, and autism in the last decade. Still, up till now, there is no convincing scientific evidence that demonstrates a causal link between ASD and these toxins, life-saving vaccines, or diets. As a result, adherence to these speculative beliefs is tragic because more children are harmed by not receiving life-saving vaccination.
Finding the answer will require long-term, painstaking, rigorous, and sophisticated scientific investigation. Professional responsibility and ethics demand that care be taken not to over-speculate, misrepresent or present mere hypotheses as facts for the causes of autism.
How common is Autism (ASD)?
Approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism.
According to the data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, approximately 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- 1 in 54 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States, 10 percent higher than the reported statistic in 2016 of 1 in 59 children (Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, CDC 2020)
- 1,100,000 cases of autism in China; 650,000 in the UK; 500,000 in the Philippines; and 180,000 in Thailand (the World Health Organization, WHO, 2009)
- 49 children in every 10,000 is diagnosed with the disorder in Hong Kong (epidemiological study by V. Wong & S. Hui (2007) of The University of Hong Kong)
- ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls. Per 1,000 children with ASD aged 8 years, around 30 are male while around 7 are female. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, ASD)
- Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of about 1%. A study in South Korea reported a prevalence of 2.6%. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, ASD)
- In Singapore, 1 in 150 children here has autism, a higher rate than the World Health Organisation’s global figure of one in 160 children. This comes as more pre-schoolers here get diagnosed with developmental issues. (NUS, Singapore)
It is generally believed that the prevalence is similar across countries and cultures, although the numbers obtained in prevalence studies vary according to the methodology and diagnostic criteria used.
Boys are affected by autism at a much higher rate than girls, for reasons that are not entirely clear. A similar pattern is seen in other childhood disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder.
Can Autism (ASD) be cured?
According to Singapore General Hospital (2018), “There is no known cure for autism. With appropriate education and support, children with ASD can develop their communication and interaction skills to become independent adults and lead productive lives. Therapies do not cure autism, although they bring about marked improvement.”
Many treatment options can help to improve outcomes for children. In a field exploding with alternative treatments, choosing the best course of action for the child with autism can be a daunting task.
Following Singapore’s AMS-MOH Clinical Practice Guideline 1/2010, one of the most scientifically proven treatment methods for autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Awarded Grade A in terms of Level of Recommendation and Level 1++ in terms of Level of Evidence. ABA is the highest-rated treatment method by the Ministry of Health, Singapore (MOH).
Read Singapore’s AMS-MOH Clinical Practice Guideline 1/2010 here: https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider4/guidelines/cpg_autism-spectrum-disorders-pre-school-children.pdf