What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is a complex developmental disorder affecting social, language and behavioral skills. It usually appears in the first 3 years of life.
Symptoms of Autism
The symptom visibility ranges from medium to severe. Early signs of autism in children include:
- Unusual Visual Fixation
- Abnormal repetitive behavior
- Lack of age appropriate sound development
- Delayed intentional communication
- Decreased interest in interaction
Here’s a brief description of early signs in infants –
People with ASD also have aspects of other conditions, such as:
- A learning disability.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Tourette’s syndrome or other tic disorders.
- Epilepsy.
- Dyspraxia.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalised anxiety disorder.
- Depression.
Autism has emerged as the leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Currently 10 million children are Autistic and 6 children out of every 1000 have Autism in India. Also 1 to 1.5 per cent autistic children are between age two and nine in India. The prevalence rate of autism in India is 1 in 250. Autism accounts for higher incidences in males: One in 4,000 boys to one in 6,000 girls. Up to 20 per cent of boys with autism have the condition. Till date Autism has no cure, and there is an increase in number of cases year on year.
Cord Blood Stem Cells offer the ray of hope
Infusion of umbilical cord blood stem cells can stimulate repair of nervous system to improve language and behavior skills. FDA Approved Phase I Clinical Trial at Duke University, US involves infusing patients diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder with their own cord blood stem cells. 25 children of age 2-4 years have already been successfully treated using their own cord blood stem cells
