There exists a group of children who possess sight yet avoid eye contact, have language but struggle to communicate, hear sounds yet seem deaf to them, and exhibit behaviors that often contradict your expectations... Like stars in the sky, each inhabits their own world, shining alone. They are called "star children"—children with autism.
Is Autism Related to Genetics? Which Women Are Prone to Having Children with Autism? (Public Health Network)
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. According to the World Health Organization, a child with autism is born every 20 minutes worldwide, with cases increasing by 20% annually. Do you truly understand autism?
Working Moms Under High Stress More Likely to Have Children with Autism
Autism, also known as childhood autism, is a developmental disorder caused by congenital brain damage. Since 2008, the United Nations has designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, calling for attention to autism and children with autism, striving to help these "star children" integrate into society and overcome their isolation.
Research indicates that over 90% of autism cases involve genetic factors, stemming from chromosomal and genetic alterations caused by traumatic stimuli during embryonic development. Boys exhibit higher incidence rates than girls, and urban areas show higher prevalence than rural ones. Working mothers with demanding careers and high stress levels, who must manage work and social pressures during pregnancy, are more likely to give birth to children with autism.Language impairments, social difficulties, and repetitive behaviors form the three core symptoms of autism. Between 30% and 50% of children with autism experience intellectual disabilities. Without timely intervention and treatment, over half of these children will require lifelong parental care. Yet many mothers remain unaware their child has autism until symptoms become severe and irreversible, placing immense strain on families.Experts note that compared to countries like the US and Europe, autism awareness campaigns in China are scarce. While American buses display public service announcements like "Does Your Child Have Autism?" to educate the public about symptoms, such initiatives are rarely seen in China.Experts recount a case where a mother brought her infant, less than six months old, to the clinic because the baby refused to breastfeed, jerking her head back forcefully during feeding. The child was later diagnosed with autistic tendencies. Fortunately, early intervention and targeted treatment were initiated promptly.
Seek professional medical help if your child exhibits the following symptoms:
Refuses eye contact with family members; dislikes being held or kissed, and resists physical closeness; actively refuses breastfeeding by tilting head back forcefully; by six months or older, has not laughed heartily or displayed other warm, joyful expressions, with emotions appearing muted;At nine months or older, the child does not share sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions with others; At one year old, the child does not babble; At one year old, the child does not use gestures to communicate with the outside world, such as pointing at things, showing things to parents, reaching for things, or waving goodbye; The child does not have their own language and only imitates adult speech.
A child playing with toys all day may not be focused but autistic
Experts note that children with autism may play with objects for extended periods without sharing toys with others. Parents often mistake this for the child's personality—being focused or eccentric—when it may actually signal autism. The following misconceptions about autism also warrant attention:
■ Are all autistic people geniuses?
While some autistic children exhibit talents in specific areas, 80%–90% of individuals with autism have intellectual challenges. Without timely intervention and treatment, they cannot receive standard education or integrate into mainstream society, remaining within the low-IQ range. They do have their own interests, but face difficulties in understanding and expressing themselves.
■ Is autism a mental illness?
While many individuals with autism experience delayed intellectual development, it is incorrect to classify autism as a mental illness. Children with autism require societal understanding and acceptance, not exclusion as outsiders.
■ Is autism incurable?
While numerous treatment approaches exist, few cases have been fully cured to date. However, early diagnosis and specialized educational training can significantly reduce symptoms in many children, enabling them to lead relatively normal lives with basic communication skills and alleviating burdens on families and society.
■ Is it a sign of autistic tendencies when a couple comes home from work, each engrossed in their phone or computer for hours without communicating, and this pattern persists daily?
Experts clarify that autism is a congenital condition affecting children. Untreated children with autism often struggle with normal work and daily life as adults. Therefore, in modern society's high-pressure environment, prolonged lack of communication with family members among adults should be considered a tendency toward depression or similar conditions, rather than related to autism.