Happy World Autism Awareness Day to all! In honor of this special day, we would like to take a look at all the amazing advances that have been made in autism knowledge and research over the past few years.
We know a lot more about autism than we did a decade ago, and scientists continue to make progress in understanding this complex condition. Here is a brief overview.
Finding the Causes of Autism
Autism affects 1% of the Italian population, about 600.000 people (source ANGSA), one in 68 children in the US (source CDC) and I could continue with other places in the world. This means that researchers must constantly strive to better understand the range of symptoms associated with ASD in order to develop more effective approaches.
There is no single answer to the question of what causes autism. However, scientists have identified a number of potential factors that can contribute to its development. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as some prenatal infections. There is now a wealth of research on the different aspects of autism, from its genetic roots to the approaches that work best for each individual child.
A clue in the DNA
In Toronto, researchers conducted DNA research on nearly 10.000 families, many of whom have children with autism, identifying "genetic lines" in the DNA itself - a discovery they think may explain why some people are on the autism spectrum.
It is an exhilarating discovery. "Research into tandem repeats, these particular wrinkles in DNA, unveils a whole new class of genes that we didn't previously know were involved in autism," says Dr. Stephen Scherer, co-author of research.
The hope is that this will allow us to diagnose autism early and improve the pathways for children and families.
Another in the brain
Recent research also identifies novelties on the role of the amygdala as a possible indicator of autism: the circumstance had been studied for some time, but important details emerge.
The amygdala is a small structure located deep in the brain that processes sensory information, such as emotions on faces or scary images to warn us of potential threats.
The results of the new study onAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, who used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), show that overgrowth begins between 6 and 12 months of age, before the characteristics of autism fully emerge. It is the first time in the world that a "time window" has been precisely identified for circumstances of this kind: this too may allow us to identify this condition earlier.
We are getting closer to understanding the causes of autism. Then?
Aside from the diagnostic aspects, pathways to help individuals and families manage autism are also of great importance.
A new approach of this type has been developed by some of the best world experts in the field: it is based precisely on early diagnosis, but its strength is in the involvement of the family.
Published on Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, the new path created by this international team aims to improve the organization of health and assistance services for autistic people.
What's it about? Long to say, but in summary it is an integrated system of supportive care through Case Management and an additional targeted specialist intervention (“step-up / step-down”). This ongoing care system uses new digital health technologies and collaborative work with parents to provide them with adequate long-term support for the child's evolving needs.
Even technology can do a lot, as confirmed by one of the authors: the professor Sandra Bucci, NIHR researcher and professor of clinical psychology at the University of Manchester.
Digital health technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to facilitate proactive and personalized care and support for autistic children and their families.
Robot Coach
Among the examples of "good" technology in the field of autism, I point out the experimentation with robots. Many children have serious difficulties maintaining interactions with other people. Approaches often end up being ineffective (other than focusing on telling children only ever that they make mistakes).
The researchers' idea? Use QTRobot, a small robot that repeatedly commits "social mistakes". Instead of an adult telling children what they are doing wrong, it is children, through play, who are teaching QTRobot what it should do. It is one way different and important to master the skills they need to practice.
QTRobot will make a number of social mistakes, such as avoiding eye contact, interrupting the speaker and so on. The kids will correct the way QTRobot behaves, and move on.
In conclusion
There is still much unknown about autism. However, between brain and biomarker research, communication and technological advances, we are making tremendous progress. As such, we celebrate our growing awareness of autism and what it means for those on the spectrum, as well as their families.
We support children, we support relatives, we support research!
