1. Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder Scientists are not certain about what causes ASD, but it is likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with ASD have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with ASD have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that ASD could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and that regulate how brain cells communicate with each other, possibly due to the influence of environmental factors on gene function. Twin and family studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism. Identical twin studies show that if one twin is affected, there is up to a 90 percent chance the other twin will be affected. There are a number of studies in progress to determine the specific genetic factors associated with the development of ASD. In families with one child with ASD, the risk of having a second child with the disorder is approximately 5 percent, or one in 20. This is greater than the risk for the general population. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased susceptibility. 

 

2 Techniques for Helping Children with ASD The counselor can provide following method of counseling: 

● Help the client in mastering the fundamentals of social behaviour

● Development of some language skills

● Behavioural counseling

● Parental counseling

● Training children to do their own work

● Engaging the child in various activities

● Behaviour modification techniques etc. The first dimension of parenting behaviour is the Parental acceptance and warmth which appear to influence the degree to which the children internalise the standard and expectations of their parent (Eccles et al 1997). It should be noted by the counselors that children whose parents do not hold them in high regard they develop low self esteem and low self control and suffer from many anxiety disorders and other emotional and behavioural problems. The second dimension of parenting behaviour is parental strictness and parental standards. The absence of control is associated with maladjustment and high level of aggression. Where parents are moderately controlling and sets up a high performance standard and expects increasingly mature behaviour from children are bound to have children showing high aggression. Therefore the counsellor during parental counseling must make it clear to the parent about their parenting style and how it adversely affects the development of child’s behaviour. The counseling must focus on helping parents to use permissible parenting style that is, acceptance and low control. They should stay alert for good behavior and reward it, and reinforce rules consistently. More over the counselor should make it clear to the teachers/parents/caretakers/ family members etc., that punishment should not damage the child’s self esteem. The punishment should be swift and consistent if the child is punished he/she should be explained the reason for punishment. The best strategy is to punish an undesirable response and reward the positive alternative behaviour. For example, many troublesome behaviour in children may take the form of attention seeking.