About this episode
Episode 187: Autism FundamentalsFuture Dr. Ayyagari explains the recommended screenings for autism, how to diagnose it and sheds some light on the management. Dr. Arreaza mentions the Savant Syndrome and the need to recognize ASD as a spectrum and not a “black or white” condition.Written by Tejasvi Ayyagari, MSIV, Ross University School of Medicine. Comments by Hector Arreaza, MD.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Introduction:Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person thinks, interacts with others, and experiences the world. It is characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted and/or repetitive behavior patterns, interests, and activities. Autism is considered a "spectrum" disorder because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of functioning, including Asperger’s, Auditory processing disorder, Rett syndrome, etc. The exact causes of autism are not fully understood, but many question genetic and environmental factors at play. What are some of the main characteristics of autism?1. Social difficulties: Individuals with autism may experience trouble understanding social cues or body language, leading to difficulty forming meaningful relationships. Children may display little interest in playing with others or engage in limited imaginative play (doll playing, pretend playing).2. Repetitive behaviors and interests: People with autism may engage in repetitive movements with their arms or hands and focus intensely on specific topics or activities. They may become distressed when routines are disrupted.3. Overstimulation: Individuals with autism may find multiple stimuli too overwhelming and gravitate towards either minimal stimulation or certain appealing stimulations best suited for their needs. 4. Intellectual variation: People with autism can have varying intellectual abilities, from severe mental disabilities to those who excel in specific disciplines, such as accounting or history (savants). Savant syndrome. It is a syndrome popularized by movies, TV shows and social media. The Good Doctor is a good example of it. Savant syndrome manifests by having a superior specific set of skills in a developmentally disabled person. Savants are like human supercomputers—while the rest of us are buffering, they can recall in 4K. We must not assume all people with autism are savants, unless we are particularly told about their exceptional talent.An
