What is autism: signals, challenges and how to promote true inclusion from home and schools

In April the World Autism Awareness Daya date that seeks to sensitize society about the conditions of the Autistic spectrum (ASD)promote inclusion and tear stigmas. Throughout this month, campaigns are made to invite Understand the peculiarities of autismespecially in childhood.

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With the above, in RCN Radio Café spoke with Dr. Andrés Gutiérrez Tamayoclinical psychologist, specialist in psychosocial interventions, expert in mental health and social phenomena, with more than 22 years of experience.

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The specialist approached in a clear way what autism is, What are its main signs, challenges and how to advance as a society Towards a true inclusion.

What is autism?

Dr. Andrés Gutiérrez Tamayo explains that the Adequate term is autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)which is mainly characterized by Emotional regulation difficultiessocial interaction and communication:

“He TEA is a disorder that is interpreted from several edgesespecially one of them has to do with the difficulty in regulating emotions. Those who suffer from this disorder cost them a lot of work manage everything that has to do with your emotional processes.

It also emphasizes that people with autism face a important limitation to relate to othersbecause they fail to effectively express what they feel or need:

“These people have a Very important difficulty from social interaction (…) unable to be understood towards the other, since it prevents or disables those processes of relationship of communication that human beings must have.

What are the early signals of autism?

One of the most common concerns in parents and caregivers is how Identify if a child presents autism signs. The expert points out that these manifestations can begin to be observed around the first year of life:

“Everything has to do, especially with the social, behavioral interaction, nonverbal language (…) It is about the 2 years where much more precise diagnoses can be generated. “

Among the signals to take into account, the lack of visual contact stands out, scarce interaction with peers, absence of gestures to communicateand difficulty expressing basic needs:

“Play with other children, communicate with the other children, to make themselves understood … are behaviors that We must take into account to build the diagnosis.

Main Family and Society challenges

The diagnosis of Autism poses great challenges in family, school and social environments. According to Dr. Gutiérrez Tamayo, lack of information can even lead to episodes of involuntary abuse:

“We have found in consultations that children have been victims of abuse, of course, in the Dad’s desire to fulfill instruction, to obey (…) Not having knowledge, it becomes impossible that it can reach the appropriate way. “

At school, This lack of understanding also translates into exclusion:

“This population remains object of exclusion, object of stigmatization (…) are criticalof teasing, bullying. “

Has autism’s perception changed?

Although more talk about the subject, the social landscape is still complex. He Specialist warns that a lot of work is still missing to achieve real inclusion:

“Although there are pretensions, dialogues, desires … when we start reviewing the interior of academic, family, family scenarios We see that this population is still the object of exclusion.

Similarly, the expert invites you to see this challenge as a collective learning opportunity:

“Sensitizing these environments can helpnot to exclude those who have this diagnosis, but so that foster inclusion.

Is psychological therapy important?

Professional accompaniment is key in the development of people with ASD. Both the close and patient environment must have adequate tools:

“He professional paper is very important For those who today have the disorder and for caregivers (…) it can help us to specify, from scientific evidence, a diagnosis. And that marks a path. “

It also emphasizes that autistic spectrum may be present at all agesand that an early diagnosis is essential to stop neurocognitive deterioration:

“Understand that TEA is derived in 3 subcategories and that, depending on them, can develop a deficiency or even capacities greater than the average. “

Is autism genetic?

Although for years autism has been attributed mainly to genetic causes, today it is recognized that There are multiple factors involved:

“Definitely the Autism has a multifactorial origin. It can cover a hereditary genetic part, but also environmental, social and biological factorsfrom conception and gestation. “

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How to generate social awareness about autism?

For Dr. Gutiérrez Tamayo, the Psychoeducation should be a priority:

“It must be placed available to the media responsible for the prevention and dissemination of these issues (…) this is fundamental for homes and academic spaces to arrive.“

He adds that, on many occasions, the Lack of knowledge begins from the same educational environment:

“The first people who exclude and feed exclusion are in academic stages (…) But also the family must have that desire to learn. “

Along the same lines, it makes a lLamado to responsibility in the use of technology:

“We have encountered such a rapid world of technology that, on many occasions, is badly used. It ends up minimizing a situation that requires attention and dialogue.

Types of autism

The specialist explains that there are different types of autism within the spectrum, being the best known the Classic autism and Asperger’s syndrome:

“The common autism is the one we have addressed, while the Asperger, although belongs to the same spectrumis characterized by a Very high intellectual coefficient.“

However, he warns that these high capabilities can also become a difficulty If they are not handled properly:

“This, in the medium and long term, It also ends up generating an inability.

The conversation with Dr. Andrés Gutiérrez Tamayo reveals the urgent need to continue talking about autism beyond commemorative dates. The understanding, empathy and knowledge are fundamental to build a more equitable society.

As the expert indicates:

“The Psychoeducation must continue gaining groundso that everyone can obtain and get in a more timely way, with Information based on scientific evidence.