Department of Neurology, 10th Military Teaching Hospital in Bydgoszcz

Abstract

Background. Research on autism, one of the most severe diseases of neurobiological background in children and adults is one of the most important challenges facing modern medicine. The aim of this work is to outline the problems with which autistic child’s parents have to deal, and to suggest the possible ways of helping them.
Case study. The case study of an 11-year-old boy in whom autism was diagnosed at the age of five. The boy developed well as regards motor and emotional skills until the age of fourteen months. Subsequently, the child gradually ceased to exhibit reaction to his mother, did not stretch arms towards her, did not react to her voice, stopped uttering the already-known words and did not acquire new ones, would not play with toys either. The child would cry all days and cases of self-injurious behaviour were observed. At the age of 11 the boy suffered from a sudden pang of epilepsy. The boy also suffers from stereotypic movement disorder. Fine motor skills are also on a low level. The child is not self-sufficient, does not speak, cannot focus on performed activities and does not realize danger. He remains under care of a neurologist, psychologist, speech therapist and psychotherapist. The boy’s mother is single and suffers from depression and anxiety disorder.
Discussion. In general understanding, according to the applicable autism diagnostic criteria, it is accepted that the appearance of the first symptoms should take place within the first 36 months of a child’s life. It must be stressed, however, that in children under the age of three, only one of the pivot areas such as social malfunction or its disappearance, rigid behaviour, non-existent or meagre communication with the surrounding world or stereotypical patterns of behaviour can appear.
Conclusions. Autism is a serious challenge facing the modern medicine, psychology and family. Research and monitoring of the phenomena accompanying the disease, including the strengthening of social awareness and sensitivity to the problem will help to support the sick person and his/her family, thus, partly eliminating the negative results of the disease. It is crucial, then, that the people caring for an autistic child are not left alone with the sense of stigmatization and rejection but rather they should feel help and support from the surrounding world. To achieve this, a change in attitude and educational campaigns for society are necessary. (PNN 2013;2(2):75-82)