Understanding Autism

Understanding Autism 

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition (1,2). The exact cause remains an area of ongoing research, it is thought that several factors contribute to its development (2).

Genetics and Autism

Evidence suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in autism. Scientists have identified multiple genes associated with ASD, rather than a single gene. If someone in your family has autism, other family members are more likely to have ASD.

Environment and Autism

Certain environmental influences during pregnancy may contribute to autism. These include maternal infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, and older paternal age at conception.

Brain Development and Autism

ASD results from differences in how the brain develops. These variations affect communication, social interaction, and behaviour.

Symptoms of Autism

Autism manifests as a spectrum, meaning it affects individuals differently. Some common symptoms include but are not limited to the following (1):

• Difficulty with social interactions, such as understanding nonverbal cues and maintaining eye contact.

• Struggles with forming friendships and engaging in reciprocal conversations.

• Delayed speech or language development.

• Repetitive language patterns

• Difficulty understanding abstract language.

• Engaging in repetitive movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking).

• Insistence on sameness and routines

• Heightened sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures, or smells.

Prevalence of Autism

Only a small number of scientific studies have attempted to estimate the burden of ASD in sub-Saharan Africa (3). A study 2320 patients of a paediatric neurological clinic found that, 54 of the 2320 patients were diagnosed with ASD. A 2014 study that took place in Uganda reported higher prevalence of ASD amongst boys compared to girls (3). There was also a 2012 study from Nigeria that reported ASD prevalence to be four times higher for boys when compared to girls. 

Supporting Autistic Individuals

There is currently no known cure for autism, however some early interventions and support significantly improve quality of life such as behavioural therapies, speech therapy,

educational support, individualized education plans in schools (5).

References

1. MO Bakare, KM Munir, (2011), Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Africa: a perspective, African Journal of Psychiatry, volume 14, page 208-210. Epidemiology, diagnosis, aetiology and knowledge about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Africa: perspectives from literatures cited in pubmed over the last decade (2000 – 2009) - PMC (nih.gov)

2. Amina Abubakar, Derrick Ssewanyana, and Charles R. Newton, (2016), A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa, Behavioural Neurology, volume 2016. A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa (hindawi.com)

3. A. Kakooza-Mwesige, K. Ssebyala, C. Karamagi et al., “Adaptation of the ‘ten questions’ to screen for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in Uganda,” Autism, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 447–457, 2014. Adaptation of the “ten questions” to screen for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in Uganda - Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, Keron Ssebyala, Charles Karamagi, Sarah Kiguli, Karen Smith, Meredith C Anderson, Lisa A Croen, Edwin Trevathan, Robin Hansen, Daniel Smith, Judith K Grether, 2014 (sagepub.com)

4. M. O. Bakare, P. O. Ebigbo, and V. N. Ubochi, “Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among Nigerian children with intellectual disability: a stopgap assessment,” Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 513–518, 2012. Project MUSE - Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Nigerian Children with Intellectual Disability: A Stopgap Assessment (jhu.edu)

5. Daniela Ziskind, MD; Amanda Bennett, MD, MPH; Abbas Jawad, PhD; Nathan Blum, MD (2020), Therapy and Psychotropic Medication Use in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pediatrics, volume 145