Neurological Dysfunctions and Non-Neurological Comorbidities in Clinical Manifestations of Autism and Their Role in ASD Development: 15 Year-long Experience in Autism Diagnosing and Treatment

Abstract

It has been almost 80 years since Drs. Asperger and Kanner first described what we now call Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is recognized as a complex neurological developmental anomaly that often emerges in early childhood. However, this condition begins much earlier, starting in the prenatal period, progressing through infancy, and ultimately leading to an autistic phenotype later on.

A hallmark of autism is sensory integration dysfunction, with early signs of autism frequently including unusual responses to auditory, visual, gustatory, olfactory, and tactile stimuli, as well as motor impairments like poor coordination, abnormal gait, or eye movement difficulties. These asd symptoms typically precede more evident neuropsychiatric features, such as behavioral issues, learning challenges, and difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication.

These sensory abnormalities play a crucial role in preventing autistic children from developing typical linguistic, motor, and social skills, often leading to further signs like anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, and impaired decision-making abilities. Moreover, in both children and autistic adults, these sensory and motor challenges may present as characteristics of an autistic person, including symptoms of being on the spectrum like restlessness, exhaustion, and underdeveloped problem-solving skills.

Drawing from 15 years of extensive experience working with hundreds of autistic children, including those with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, it is evident that recognizing early sign autism and understanding these autistic adult traits are essential for providing effective support and intervention.