Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that leads to significant social, communication and behavioral changes.
Nearly one in every 88 children in the United States is affected by autism. ASD starts normally by age three and stays throughout a person's life. Until now, no medical or blood test is available for an early diagnosis of the condition. The behavior and development of the child are some factors used by health practitioners to determine the disorder.
Apart from that, according to health experts, autistic children are at a higher risk of experiencing some mental health problems like depression, anxiety and psychotic disorders. Parents often fail to identify the symptoms and struggle to provide proper intervention.
Following are some tips from experts at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Baltimore, to help families manage the crisis properly:
* Consult a psychiatrist immediately after noticing behavior problems of the child and start treatment. Never wait for the situation to get worse
* Prepare a set of steps to be taken during an emergency situation and keep it handy
* Educate everyone in the family about the emergency plan
* Find the nearest local emergency department and discuss in advance with the department manager about an emergency visit
* Find out about inpatient psychiatric units- Make a proper plan about managing an emergency situation like hospitalization and taking care of siblings during that period
