• Autism is a mental disorder in which a person suffers from communication and behavioral problems.
• It is related to brain development which deals with social communication skills.
• Autism is also called Autism spectrum disorder or Asperger’s syndrome. The word spectrum is used as it involves a wide range of symptoms and intensity.
• It starts in early childhood, usually in first year. As they grow, they start having problems in school and at work or in social gatherings.
• People with autism have trouble in what other people feel and think. So they couldn’t express themselves to them.
• They might have problem with learning. But they can be very good at art, music, memory or maths.
• People with autism need full time care in a special facility.
• However, there is no cure for autism but early treatment and proper care can make a big difference in the lives of such people.

TYPES OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

The different types of autism spectrum disorder are:

• Asperger’s disorder
• Autistic disorder
• Childhood disintegrative disorder
• Pervasive developmental disorder

CAUSES OF AUTISM

The occurrence of Autism spectrum disorder is not known. However, there are a variety of factors which are responsible for this complex disease:

• Genetic history – a close relative suffering from autism has genes related to autism in the genetic pool. So the chances of getting autism increase.
• Environmental factors – some of the environmental factors which play a role in triggering the disorder are:
• Complications during pregnancy
• Certain medications
• Viral infections
• Pollutants in air or water

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM

Following are the signs and symptoms of autism:

• Lacks facial expressions
• Has poor eye contact
• Doesn’t like holding or cuddling
• Prefers to play alone and remain in his/her own world
• Delayed speech
• Has abnormal tone
• Repeats words or phrases
• Doesn’t express his/her emotions or feelings
• Doesn’t understand non-verbal cues like interpreting other people’s facial expressions, their tone or body postures
• Performs repetitive movements like spinning, rocking
• Does self-harming activities like biting or head banging
• Has odd movements pattern
• Has stiff or odd body language
• Has a limited food preferences

COMPLICATIONS OF AUTISM

The complications associated with autism are:

• Employment problems
• Problems in school
• Social isolation
• Getting bullied
• Unable to live independently

DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM

• The child’s physician will do the behavioral evaluation of the child.
• He may do some visual or audio tests for recognizing any defect in hearing or sight
• He may do some DNA testing.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF AUTISM

• According to ayurveda, the three doshas present in body are – vata, pitta and kapha. The three gunas are – satva, rajas and tamas gunas. In mental disorder, there is imbalance of the three doshas along with increase in rajsik and tamasik gunas.
• Ayurveda recommends dietary and lifestyle changes with some medicines for making the lives of autistic patients simple.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDA CENTER’S MEDICATIONS FOR AUTISM

Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurveda Center which are used for the treatment of autism:

• Brodley syrup
• Brodley syrup is very beneficial in curing autism as it includes various natural herbs that are mainly used for providing the strength to the nervous system.
• The herbal syrup is made up of – Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), etc. that acts as an anti-depressant and also helps in reducing the stress.
• The syrup boosts memory power and increases the blood flow to the brain.
• Recommended Dosage – 2 teaspoonful twice daily
• Ashwagandha tablet
• Ashwagandha tablets are widely used in providing internal strength to the whole body and helps in maintaining all the system.
• The tablet is made up of ‘Ashwagandha’ extract that improves the functioning of the brain and provides relief from stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Recommended Dosage –1 tablet twice a day with normal water
• Mann Mitra Tablet
• Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha.
• CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well.
• It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi,Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug
• Recommended Dosage –1 tablet twice a day with normal water
• Shishu Bharna Rasa 
• Dhootapapeshwar Shishu Bharan Rasa helps in proper physical and mental development of children.
• The presence of Madhumalini Vasant in Shishu Bharan Rasa improves Bala and Pushti of children by enhancing Mansa Pushti and Jatharagni Vardhan Karya.
• Recommended Dosage –1 tablet twice a day with normal water
• Stress care tablet 
• It is an amazing combination of natural herbs like Sarpgandha, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi.
• It helps to relieve stress conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to increase mental and physical performance.
• In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. Vata, pitta, and Kapha, it leads to disease.
• Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind.
• Tarpak Kapha subtype of kapha, governs cerebrospinal fluid, sadhak pitta subtype of pitta doshas governs emotions and their impact on the heart. So any vitiation of these doshas leads to stress.
• Recommended Dosage –1 tablet twice a day with normal water