The benefits of NeurOptimal Brain Training for those with autism is the possibility to improve some of the core deficits seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Autism – What is it?
The benefits of NeurOptimal Brain Training for those with autism is the possibility to improve some of the core deficits seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
An autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It can be diagnosed in early childhood, and is characterized by two main behaviors - social communication problems and restricted interests or repetitive patterns of behavior.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the overall ASD prevalence was 23.0 per 1,000 (one in 44) children aged 8 years, and ASD was 4.2 times as prevalent among boys as among girls (CDC, 2021). In Singapore, 1 in 150 Children has autism. This comes as more pre-schoolers here get diagnosed with developmental issues. (Healthxchange.sg, n.d.)
Although the exact causes and the sex bias of ASD are still unclear, genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors are involved in ASD etiology and susceptibility.
Neuroplasticity has a long history of being considered as a key component in ASD, and it is now understood that brain plasticity and neurogenesis are both involved in normal development, as well as in the aetiology of autism.
Causes of Autism
Recent advances in the field of molecular biology and genetics also support the role of the nervous system and the brain in the development of ASD. In fact, autism seems to be associated with a variety of genetic disorders that affect brain function and development, and are reflected in the structure and activity of neurons and neural circuits.
We know that brain plasticity, neurogenesis, and neural circuitry alterations play a key role in the development of ASD, however there is not a complete understanding of how these processes are impaired and which neural circuits are dysfunctional.
Asymmetric structure of some parts of the brain
There is evidence that the hippocampal is involved in the early stages of ASD, possibly because of its critical role in memory, spatial navigation, and emotional processing, and it is associated with brain anomalies found in ASD patients. The amygdala is another important region that seems to be affected by the aetiology of autism, and it is involved in processing sensory information and in the regulation of fear responses.
It has been revealed there are significant asymmetries in the hippocampus and the ventricles, but not in the amygdala, in individuals with ASD. Generally, it is suggested that there are differences in the asymmetry between ASD and healthy individuals of the amygdalar, hippocampal, and ventricular structures. (Richards, Rose et. al., NeuroImage. Clin. 2020; 26:102207.)
There are specific regions in the brain that have been proposed to mediate clinical phenotypes of ASD. People with disorders of the frontal lobe, superior temporal cortex, parietal cortex, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex have social disorders. (Ha, Sungji et. al., Experimental Neurobiology vol. 24,4 (2015): 273-84).
Despite their deficits in these regions being more common in ASD, some studies proposed that abnormalities in these regions may not be specific to ASD. Instead, they may be common in other conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. In general, it is becoming clear that ASD is not only due to the absence of social and communication skills, but also to a complex disorder of the brain that affects different neuro-anatomical structures and neural networks. This complex disorder is reflected in the altered functioning of the neurons and the neural circuits, and it is also associated with structural and functional abnormalities of the brain.
Family background for the causes of Autism
What is currently known about the aetiology of ASD is that it is a multi-factorial disorder, and it is believed that multiple genes contribute to the aetiology of ASD.
For example, the risk of having an autistic child is increased in families with a family history of autism, and it has been suggested that the severity of the phenotype observed in an individual with ASD could be related to the total number of genetic variants carried by the parents.
Another important factor is that there may be a correlation between the degree of intellectual impairment and the severity of the autistic phenotype, suggesting that there is a common denominator between the clinical symptoms and the intellectual deficit.
Epigenetic causes of Autism
There is growing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms, and especially DNA methylation, play a critical role in the etiology of autism. DNA methylation is a type of epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and controls the development of the nervous system.
Several studies support the hypothesis that aberrant DNA methylation in autism is a key element of the pathogenesis of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
It has also been shown that environmental factors, such as the timing of birth and perinatal events, maternal nutrition and vitamin levels, and infection, may be important in the development of ASD, and they may influence brain development.
In addition, a recent study demonstrated that prenatal maternal vitamin B6 deficiency increases the risk of developing autism.
Other environmental factors that have been linked to the development of ASD include toxins, such as air pollution and lead, second hand cigarette smoke and drugs such as antidepressants and anti-seizure medications.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, not a single disease. Because of this, people with autism can have many different types of symptoms.
Symptoms of Autism
Many people with ASD have a deficit in social interaction. Social interaction is the ability to communicate with other people and is important for understanding how-to live-in society. People with ASD often have a difficult time understanding other people's feelings and emotions, and tend to have difficulty understanding how others feel.
People with ASD often have unusual interests, which may include a fascination with certain topics or objects, or may involve a desire to repeat actions over and over again. Some people with ASD have an interest in numbers, while others might prefer to learn about animals.
Many people with ASD experience unusual sensory experiences, including sensitivity to light or noise, or a sensitivity to pain. People with ASD may also struggle with communicating their needs and may avoid eye contact, especially when making requests.
People with ASD often have trouble using language, both in the way they use language and, in the way, that others understand them.
There is no cure for ASD. However, early interventions can help reduce the symptoms of autism and improve a person's ability to function in everyday life. With the application of the principle of neuroplasticity, the lived experience of the autistic individual into the wider world can be more manageable.
Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)
National Autism Center (USA)
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