Autism appears to be the leading mentally challenged disorder presently. But, exactly what is autism?

Autism, usually rearing its head in children, is described as a developmental disorder that bears impaired communication, emotional detachment and excessive rigidity. There are two types of autism - regressive and non-regressive. Autism, developing in children from about 18-months-of-age, is known as autism when children begin losing language and other developments. Non-regressive autism occurs from birth.

How do I know my child autistic?

When children are born with Down's syndrome, it is harder to trace autism in them then it is to trace in a non-Down's syndrome child. Social and emotional developments are delayed in an autistic child. If tracing autism in a Down syndrome child is close to impossible for you, look out for the following.

Autistic loneliness - Generally, children with Down's syndrome are loveable and enjoy being hugged or love to hug. However a child with autism usually prefers to be by himself. Autistic children consider people as objects rather than people.

Changeless routines - Even a slight change can cause a child with autism to go berserk. Sameness breeds familiarity for them.

Lack of eye contact - Autistic children do not make eye contact, but instead they often look 'right through' people.

Repetitive movement - It has been observed that autistic children can sit for long hours while waving an object and staring at it.

How do I, as a parent, handle a child with autism

Autistic children usually display intense emotions. Mrs Pillay is a mother whose 5-year-old son, Somesh, has been diagnosed with mild autism. "Even though it's just mild autism, he is extremely sensitive and cries over nothing at times. He is in normal day care but when these episodes take place, he has to be separated until he calms down. Sometimes he stares into oblivion for hours," explains Mrs Pillay about Somesh.

Somesh's condition for mild autism is nothing out of the usual. Working with an occupational therapist is probably the best for both Mrs Pillay and her son. Autistic children suffer from seizures, ranging from mild to severe, at times. When a child is seizing, never move him unless he is danger of falling down the stairs, etc. Try to gently turn the child on his side and loosen the clothing around his neck.

If a holiday celebration is coming up, plan it wisely. Gifts and toys do not make a difference to a child with autism. Mrs Webber remembers her daughter, Christina now 16, back in the old days when everyone would be busily tearing open their presents on Christmas morning. Christina, then 5, would sit and stare, focused on an ornament hanging from the tree. "She never touched a present and even when we unwrapped her gifts for her, she would merely ignore us, the gifts and just about everything else in the room," remembers Mrs Webber with a tear. Rather than toys, shower the child with love and attention, which according to most therapists are what many autistic children are lacking in today.

What happens if autism is left untreated?

If left untreated, autistic children's social skills and speech skills will not develop effectively. The number of children who recover from autism without any help is extremely low.

What treatments are there available for autistic children?

There is no cure for autism but there are many treatments available for autism. However the treatment that suits the child may vary from individual to the next. Listed below are those that are not only popular but have seen good effects as well.

Behaviour Modification - Highly structured and skill-oriented activities that are based on the patient's needs and interests are carried out with a therapist and extensive caregiver.

Communication Therapy - Autistic patients who are unable to communicate verbally , communication therapy is used to initiate language development.

Dietary Modifications - At times, altering the diet, digestion may be improved and food tolerances or allergies may be eliminated and therefore behavioural problems (caused by these tolerances or allergies) may reduce.

An autistic child can be as different or similar as a normal child, depending on how you look at him and treat him. At the end of the day, he is your child and will always be. No amount of denial or leaving him for long hours in special needs schools will change that. It's time for every parent to make a difference and embrace the child for who he is rather than for what he is.

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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness. It is just one form of macular disease, which affects the eye's retina. An estimated 500,000 people in the UK suffer from AMD, 40% of these are over the age of 75. Also it is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries like USA, Canada and Australia. It was thought that the incidence of this disease is very low in a developing country like India, a decade earlier. But this scenario is no more true now, as we are seeing more and more cases of AMD.

What is AMD?

AMD is the most common form of macular disease, which affects the central part of the retina. It is an age-related process and usually develops after a person reaches 50 years. It generally involves both eyes, although they may not be affected at the same time or to the same degree. Some 90% of these cases are dry AMD which cannot be treated but 10% are wet ADM. Dry AMD means visual cells simply stop to function. Wet AMD is by far the most aggressive form of the disease. The condition is caused by the growth of new blood vessels under the centre of the retina. These can leak fluid, causing scar tissue to form and destroying central vision in a period of between two months and three years. Peripheral vision is retained. The condition causes problems reading, seeing small objects and distorted vision.

What are the symptoms?

In the early stages of AMD, central vision may be blurred or distorted. Objects may take an unusual size or shape. This process can happen quickly or develop over several months. People with the condition may become very sensitive to light or actually see lights that are not there.
There may be some discomfort, although overall the condition is not painful.

How is AMD treated?

Variety of medical treatment is tried over several years, like prescribing high doses of B-complex tablets, Anti-oxidants etc. But the results are not good. But in recent years, PDT is tried in developed countries and has given fairly good results.

Photo dynamic therapy (PDT) is the first effective treatment for correcting wet AMD. It is a relatively new treatment and was first used in the UK in 1999 by doctors at the Royal Liverpool University hospital. PDT is thought to be suitable for around a third of patients with wet AMD since it is effective only if the condition is caught early. It involves injecting a light sensitive dye called Visudyne into the body, which sticks to the lining of abnormal blood vessels within the retina. The process takes half an hour. A light is then shone into the area through a contact lens, activating the dye and causing it to damage the abnormal blood vessels.

The treatment may need to be repeated every three months and it is fairly costly.

Side effects include lower back pain, a reaction to light and a temporary loss of vision in around 3% of cases.