MHM Magazine

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent impairment in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviour. While autism/ASD is considered a lifelong disorder, the impairment in functioning varies and can be classified as mild, moderate or severe based on the level of supervision and care required. Early signs of this disorder can be noticed by parents/caregivers or health care workers by age one year. Symptoms typically become more apparent by age two or three years old. Unfortunately, diagnosis and early intervention is often still delayed due to a lack of awareness by caregivers, teachers and health practitioners, poor access to health care, stigma or at times denial by parents. Case 1 Max is a five-year-old boy, who has been described as hyperactive by his mother. Mum had a difficult delivery, and he was born at 35 weeks. His speech was delayed and he only began saying words a year ago and still doesn’t speak in sentences. He doesn’t interact with peers at preschool and plays with the same toy every day at school. By Prof Saeeda Paruk Psychiatrist, University of KwaZulu-Natal and King Dinuzulu Hospital NAVIGATING AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS: FROM DIAGNOSIS TO INTERVENTION MHM | 2024 | Volume 11 | Issue 3 | Navigating Autistic Spectrum Disorders: from Diagnosis to Intervention MHM 14 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2024 | Issue 3 H