What Does Autism Do To Your Body? The Impact of Autism

Understanding Autism

Taking the first step to understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it's important to recognize that this is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interactions and communication. Moreover, individuals with autism often exhibit purposeless repetitive behaviors and restrictive interests.

Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD is a complex condition that affects parts of the brain that control emotions, communication, and body movements. Some children with ASD have unusually large heads and brains by their toddler years, possibly due to issues with brain growth. Furthermore, abnormal genes passed down through families have been linked to poor functions in specific brain areas.

The manifestations of ASD vary widely across individuals, making it a spectrum disorder. Some people with autism may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

A common question asked is, "what does autism do to your body?" The answer to this isn't straightforward due to the broad spectrum of the disorder and the individual differences in symptoms and severity. However, the impact of autism on the body can include sensory sensitivities, physical health challenges, and motor difficulties, all of which will be explored in subsequent sections of this article.

Prevalence and Impact of Autism

Autism is more prevalent than many people realize. In the United States, it affects approximately 1 in 59 children, with boys being affected nearly four times as often as girls.

The impact of autism on an individual and their family can be significant. Autism causes limitations in a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. This can pose challenges in various areas of life, including social interactions, schooling, and employment. However, with appropriate support and accommodations, many people with autism can lead fulfilling lives.

In conclusion, understanding autism and its impact on the body is a complex task due to the spectrum nature of the disorder and the variability in symptoms. By examining the neurological, sensory, physical, and motor aspects of autism, we can begin to unravel the body-mind connection in this complex and often misunderstood condition.

Brain Differences in Autism

In the context of understanding 'what does autism do to your body?', it is crucial to examine the neurological variances present in autism and how they manifest in the brain activity patterns of individuals with this condition.

Neurological Variances in Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a wide range of symptoms and severities, largely attributed to neurological differences. Individuals with severe autism typically exhibit intellectual impairments and minimal spoken language. In contrast, those with high-functioning autism may possess an average or above-average IQ but struggle with subtler forms of communication, such as body language [2].

These neurological variances also lead to characteristic behaviors seen in autism, such as repetitive behaviors, narrow interests, and social difficulties. These behaviors are a result of differences in information processing in the brain compared to individuals without autism.

Brain Activity Patterns in Autism

In autism, brain activity patterns demonstrate less coordinated activity overall, with sensory areas displaying more random activity than those without autism. This randomness is especially pronounced in individuals with the most severe autism [2].

On the flip side, certain areas of the brain, such as the caudate region, display more predictable activity in individuals with autism. This predictability is most prominent in individuals who exhibit rigid, repetitive behaviors, a common trait in autism.

These changes in the structure and activity of specific brain regions in individuals with autism contribute significantly to the complex symptoms of the condition. These findings hint at potential implications for early diagnosis and treatment of autism-related symptoms by modulating brain activity.

This exploration of the neurological variances and brain activity patterns in autism provides key insights into the physical impact of autism on the body, laying the foundation for further exploration of the sensory, physical, and motor challenges faced by individuals with this condition.

Sensory Issues in Autism

One of the key aspects of autism affecting the body is sensory issues. These issues are common in people with autism and are included in the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autistic individuals can experience both hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to various stimuli, often having a combination of both [3].

Hyper and Hyposensitivity in Autism

Many individuals with autism experience hypersensitivity to bright lights, certain light wavelengths, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes. This can lead to sensory avoidance behaviors such as pulling away from physical touch or covering the ears to avoid loud sounds.

Hyposensitivity is also common in autism, manifesting as a constant need for movement, difficulty recognizing sensations like hunger or pain, and an attraction to loud noises, bright lights, and vibrant colors. Individuals who are hyposensitive may engage in sensory seeking behaviors to gain more sensory input from the environment.

Coping with Sensory Overload

Sensory overload is a common experience for individuals with autism, occurring when intense sensory stimuli overwhelm their coping abilities, leading to feelings of anxiety, a need to escape, or difficulty in communication. It can result from a single event or build up over time due to daily efforts to cope with sensory sensitivities [3].

Accommodations for sensory issues such as modifying the environment, using tools and strategies, or creating new routines are essential to easing discomfort for individuals with autism and increasing their opportunities to learn, socialize, communicate, and participate in the community. These accommodations may need to be adapted for different settings, which further highlights the importance of understanding the unique sensory needs of each individual with autism [3].

Sensory issues are a significant part of what autism does to the body. Understanding these issues can help individuals with autism, their families, and communities to better accommodate their needs and improve their quality of life.

Physical Health Challenges

One of the aspects that contributes to the complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the physical health challenges that often accompany it. This section explores the immune dysregulation and gastrointestinal disorders often observed in ASD.

Immune Dysregulation in Autism

ASD is often associated with immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation. In fact, over half of individuals with ASD present with these conditions. Moreover, abnormal immune function is central to the pathogenesis of ASD for at least a subset of individuals diagnosed with the condition [4].

Moreover, genetic associations have been found between ASD and autoimmune disease. Pro-inflammatory biomarkers indicative of dysfunctional immune responses have been found in mothers and newborns who were later diagnosed with ASD. This connection is observed between autoimmune disorders and the severity of core autistic symptoms as well as the presence of autoantibodies [4].

Gastrointestinal Disorders in Autism

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are significantly overrepresented in individuals with ASD compared to the general population. These include frequent functional issues of diarrhea, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, and inflammatory bowel diseases. GI symptoms are strongly correlated with the severity of ASD-related symptoms and behaviors.

In addition to these, people with autism may also experience other physical symptoms. These include sleep problems and poor coordination of both large and small muscles. About a third of people with autism also suffer from seizures.

Understanding the physical health challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorder can be critical in managing the condition and improving the quality of life for those affected. It provides insight into the connection between the body and mind in autism and gives a clearer picture of what autism does to your body. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach in managing ASD, addressing not only the cognitive and behavioral symptoms but also the physical health challenges.

Motor Difficulties in Autism

In the exploration of 'what does autism do to your body?', it's important to comprehend the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on motor skills. Motor difficulties are a prevalent concern in individuals with autism, affecting both gross and fine motor functions.

Motor Abnormalities in Autism

According to Spectrum News, a staggering 87 percent of autistic individuals experience some form of motor difficulty. These issues can range from problems with gross motor skills such as walking or running, to difficulties with fine motor control, such as manipulating small objects. Coordination, muscle tone, posture, balance, hand-eye coordination, and planning movements can also be affected, impacting any motor system of the body.

Signs of motor issues can manifest early in individuals with autism. Infants as young as one month old who are later diagnosed with autism may show reduced arm movements compared to typical infants. By four months, they might lack the strength to maintain alignment of their head with their shoulders when pulled into a sitting position. At 14 months, standing may be a challenge.

Certain mutations predisposing individuals to autism may contribute to these motor issues. Regardless of intellectual disability, children with autism have an increased likelihood of experiencing motor problems. Specific motor issues can also associate with forms of autism with single genetic causes, such as low muscle tone in Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Differences in brain connectivity, such as decreased synchrony between visual and motor regions, weakened connections between sensory and motor regions, and atypical activity in networks important for motor planning, might explain some of the motor difficulties in individuals with autism.

Impact on Development and Social Interaction

Motor issues in autism can have far-reaching effects beyond physical difficulties. They can create a ripple effect on cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Poor motor skills may limit interactions with caregivers and hamper social development through restricted participation in physical activities. This limitation can lead to fewer opportunities for social bonding and the development of social skills. In the academic context, motor difficulties can also affect performance, possibly translating into struggles in the classroom.

In conclusion, understanding and addressing the motor issues associated with autism is critical. By doing so, we can create more inclusive and supportive environments that cater to the needs of autistic individuals and allow them to unlock their full potential.

Comorbid Conditions

In understanding the impact of autism on the body, it is crucial to consider the comorbid conditions that often accompany Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among these are autoimmune disorders and various mental and physical health comorbidities.

Autoimmune Disorders in Autism

Autoimmune disorders have been found to be highly prevalent in families of individuals with ASD. Research indicates that over half of individuals with ASD present with immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, and abnormal immune function is central to the pathogenesis of ASD for at least a subset of individuals diagnosed with the condition. Genetic associations have been found between ASD and autoimmune disease, and pro-inflammatory biomarkers indicative of dysfunctional immune responses have been found in mothers and newborns who were later diagnosed with ASD.

Further, maternal autoantibodies can be passed to the child in utero and react to fetal proteins, potentially contributing to the development of ASD. A connection has been observed between autoimmune disorders and the severity of core autistic symptoms and the presence of autoantibodies.

Mental and Physical Health Comorbidities

Autism is also associated with several mental and physical health comorbidities. On the physical side, people with autism may have digestive problems such as constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, and inflammatory bowel diseases. GI disorders are significantly overrepresented in individuals with ASD compared to the general population. GI symptoms are strongly correlated with the severity of ASD-related symptoms and behaviors [4].

Additionally, individuals with ASD may experience poor coordination of both large and small muscles, and about a third of people with autism also suffer from seizures [1].

When it comes to mental health, autism causes limitations in a person's ability to communicate and relate to others, affecting about one child in 59, with boys being affected nearly four times as often as girls. This communication barrier can lead to additional mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.

In conclusion, the comorbid conditions often associated with autism provide a broader perspective on the question: 'what does autism do to your body?'. Understanding these conditions can help facilitate better management strategies and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with autism.

References

[1]: https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/ss/slideshow-autism-overview

‍[2]: https://elifesciences.org/digests/42256/how-does-autism-affect-the-brain

‍[3]: https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues

‍[4]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7335278/