Health & Life Magazine April 2017

W
hat is Autism?
Defining autism is not simple, and indeed the
scientific community still has a way to go to
understand this complex disorder. Autism, or
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term that encompasses a
range of symptoms, from mild to severe. These symptoms fit into
two main categories:
• Persistent deficits in social communication and social
interaction: This includes reduced or lack of shared interests
or emotions; issues with non-verbal communication, eyecontact
and body-language; problems understanding and
maintaining relationships; lack of facial expression.
• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests
or activities: This includes repetitive motor movements
or phrases; insistence on sameness; inflexible adherence to
routines; rigid thinking patterns; unusual reactions to sensory
aspects of the environment (indifference to pain, extreme
reactions to certain sounds or smells, fascination with lights).
Needless to say, autism affects the quality of life of those with
the condition, as well as their families and caregivers. However,
with the right support and opportunities, individuals with autism
can live a full life and contribute to society like everyone else.
WISH: Addressing ASD Worldwide
According to WISH, there are over 52 million cases of ASD
worldwide, a figure which has dramatically increased in the last
few decades. And the cost is also ever-growing. In the US alone,
the economic impact of ASD is expected to reach $461 billion by
2025. Clearly this disorder poses a global challenge: how can we
support and care for individuals with ASD? WISH proposes to
focus on five key areas, namely:
• Increase awareness of ASD and promote the importance of
early detection, which allows children to get help as early as
possible;
• Provide evidence-based therapies to children and training to
parents, teachers and clinicians;
• Provide individuals with ASD access to public education and
ensure they are included in the education system;
• Ensure individuals with ASD and their families receive
appropriate support and information to care for their family
members; and
• Focus on research to better understand the challenges faced
in treating ASD.
To reach these goals, WISH proposes 3 recommendations:
1. Establishing an interagency coordinating commission to
address ASD at a national level. This commission would
provide guidance to governments on issues relating to ASD
and the systems to put in place to tackle the challenges faced.
2. Establishing national or regional training centers which
would provide and share cutting edge research on ASD.
These centers would also offer direct services and support
to people with ASD, as well as work with schools and
workplaces to provide programs and training.
3. Establishing a global partnership that involves member
governments as well as both public and private sectors. This
partnership would help coordinate a worldwide response
to ASD, including establishing a global minimum standard
of service to ensure everyone with ASD is treated fairly and
decently.
WE ASK THE
EXPERTS:
QATAR
BIOMEDICAL
RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
We spoke with Dr. Fouad Al Shaban, MD, MSc, PhD, Senior
Scientist at Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), to
find out more about the causes of ASD, new diagnosis methods,
and what is being done to deal with discrimination against
people with autism.
What are some of the risk factors involved in ASD?
Recent studies have shown some correlation between frequent
exposure to ultra sounds during the first trimester of pregnancy
and increased risk of having a baby with autism. Other risk
factors include air pollution, exposure to certain chemicals like
insecticides, and taking some medications during pregnancy, like
for example Depakin, which is used to treat epilepsy.
Genes also play an important role in this disorder, however
autism is very rarely inherited.
What kind of research is Qatar Biomedical Research Institute
currently involved in?
QBRI is currently working in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa
University (HBKU) on a research project to establish the prevalence
of autism and the contributing risk factors. This is being funded
by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). Our preliminary
results show that there are around 7 in every 1000 children in
Qatar affected by ASD, a prevalence rate of 0,6 percent.
Another project we are involved in, in collaboration with the
Cleveland Clinic, is particularly interesting. Using bio-hypnosis,
a new technology, we will be able to diagnose autism from as
early as 6 months— this is incredibly useful as currently autism is
difficult to diagnose in very young children. The device analyses the
child’s response to certain stimuli and can diagnose, with an 80%
accuracy rate, whether the child has autism, or whether there is a
high risk of developing autism. We’re hoping to make this service
available to everyone within the next few years.
What can be done to prevent discrimination against people
with ASD?
This depends very much on public awareness and understanding
that people with autism can live and contribute to society just like
everyone else, as long as they get the appropriate support. There are
many examples of people with high functioning autism, for example
Bill Gates, Einstein, Isaac Newton. Governments could also take
measures to prevent discrimination through initiatives that improve
education, safety and employment opportunities for individuals
with autism.
With environmental factors like air pollution and our increasing reliance on chemicals, it is not
surprising that cases of ASD are on the rise. It is important that we face up to this global crisis
by ensuring adequate support is in place for individuals with autism and their families, as well
as proper education and employment opportunities. Increasing public awareness will help to
fight prejudice, and ensure people with autism have the right to a fulfilled, decent, happy life.
15
APRIL 2017