This content is dangerous because it can lead to misdiagnoses and causes a great deal of confusion and anxiety among families.
“Have you ever wondered if your child might be autistic?” This is how many social media videos begin – videos mainly shared by parents that claim to show supposed “early signs of autism” in babies just a few months old. Be very careful if you come across this kind of content on social media. Sharing and watching these videos can be dangerous, as they are not backed up by accurate or reliable information.
“Many rely on myths or unvalidated signs, which can cause confusion and anxiety among families. This can also lead to misdiagnoses that cause parents to misinterpret signs in their babies, resulting in false alarms or, conversely, overlooking genuine signs that require attention,” explains María Verde, a psychologist in the Research Department at Autism spain.
In this article, we draw on expert and authoritative sources to dispel any doubts about this condition and the importance of early diagnosis.
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
María Verde, a psychologist in the Research Department at Autismo España, explains to INFOVERITAS that it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the structure of the nervous system and personal functioning. “Specifically, it affects two areas of functioning: communication and social interaction, and behavioural flexibility,” she points out.
People with autism may therefore find it difficult to interact with others, communicate, understand social interactions, emotions, or both verbal and non-verbal language. They also often display rigid, repetitive behaviours and have very narrow interests, as well as exhibiting specific sensory processing patterns. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately one in every 100 children has autism.
However, it is a very broad spectrum, “which manifests itself differently in each child depending on gender, cognitive ability and context, among other factors”, according to the children’s hospital Sant Joan de Déu from Barcelona.
In theory, it is classified into three levels based on the DSM-5 scale: level 1, requiring support; level 2, requiring substantial support; and level 3, requiring very substantial support. However, in everyday practice, explains María Verde, these labels tend to become blurred. “We usually simply talk about support needs: there are people with many needs, people with few needs, and people with some support needs.”
Regarding the causes of this condition, the available scientific evidence points to the existence of multiple factors, “including genetic and environmental factors, which make it more likely that a child may have autism”, according to the WHO.
Be wary of early signs, as they do not confirm a diagnosis of ASD
María Verde explains that, from the age of 12 months, families and professionals can spot early signs of autism. “Although these are not always obvious, which means that many children are not identified until the age of 3,” she points out. Among these early signs, the expert lists the following: “difficulty using eye contact as a form of communication, a lack of gestures and communicative behaviours, producing few sounds or words, a lack of response to their name, or seeking out or rejecting certain sensory stimuli”.
However, spotting these signs does not confirm a diagnosis of ASD. “These early signs generally indicate that the child’s development needs to be monitored and supported, but they do not necessarily provide clear evidence that the child will develop autism. There are some behaviours that resemble those seen in children with specific language disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other conditions, so it is very important that they receive a proper differential diagnosis and detailed monitoring of their development,” explains Verde.
If in doubt, it is best to consult your child’s paediatrician so that you can be referred as soon as possible for a specialist assessment to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
Can social media content help me identify whether my child has ASD?
No, never. In fact, this kind of content is very dangerous. To begin with, it is produced by parents rather than authoritative sources, and it is not backed up by accurate information based on scientific evidence.
“Many are based on myths or unvalidated signs, which can cause confusion and anxiety among families, as well as leading to misdiagnoses that cause parents to misinterpret signs in their babies, resulting in false alarms or, conversely, overlooking genuine signs that require attention. They can also encourage sensationalism and the stigmatisation of autism, rather than promoting an understanding based on neurodiversity. Furthermore, following unsubstantiated advice can cause families to waste valuable time and resources instead of seeking help from qualified professionals,” Verde states emphatically.
The expert stresses that, in order to obtain accurate information, one should always turn to “leading professionals specialising in autism, the network of autism organisations, and consult specialist sources backed by scientific evidence”.
Why is early diagnosis important?
No, never. In fact, this kind of content is very dangerous. To begin with, it is produced by parents rather than authoritative sources, and it is not backed up by accurate information based on scientific evidence.
In fact, it is possible to diagnose autism from around 15 months of age. For this reason, the check-ups carried out by the paediatrician during the early years are essential. “In principle, within the protocols for monitoring healthy children, it is generally recommended that attention be paid to social and communicative development and, in cases of suspicion, screening is recommended to detect possible signs of autism. Similarly, in cases where children have relatives with autism or are in circumstances that put them at greater risk (e.g. prematurity, genetic syndromes, etc.), the recommendation is to carry out specific tests for the detection of autism,” concludes María Verde, a psychologist in the Research Department of Autism spain.
However, as it is a condition that a person lives with throughout their life, a diagnosis can be made at any stage of life.
Sources
Statements by María Verde, a psychologist in the Research Department of Autism spain
World Health Organisation (WHO) website
Children’s hospital Children’s hospital Sant Joan de Déu from Barcelona.
ARTICLE TAKEN FROM: https://info-veritas.com/explicativos-cuidado-videos-indicios-autismo-bebes-circulas-redes-sociales/