Kumar Alok, Bhattacharya Sudip
Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar (AIIMS Deoghar), Deoghar, India.
Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 4;3:1489269. doi: 10.3389/frcha.2024.1489269. eCollection 2024.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Though there is no cure, early and intensive interventions can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected. The aim of this paper is to examine the complexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from a public health perspective in South East Asian region, highlighting the global rise in prevalence and the compounded challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in ASD prevalence from 4 to 5 cases per 10,000 children in the 1980s to 11.3 per 1,000 children in 2012 highlights the need for effective interventions. The pandemic exacerbated behavioral issues, anxiety, and screen time-related health problems, underscoring the importance of adjusting strategies for early identification and support. Diagnostic tools like the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) play a critical role in community-based screening. Effective prevention strategies include primary measures such as public awareness campaigns and genetic counseling, secondary measures focusing on early identification and intervention, and tertiary measures involving ongoing support and therapy. Addressing implementation challenges, particularly in low-income countries, requires enhanced public awareness, training of community health workers, and integration of ASD services into primary healthcare systems. Future research should aim to develop and evaluate scalable, culturally relevant interventions and explore the impact of environmental factors on ASD. Comprehensive strategies at the community level, combined with robust public health policies, are crucial for improving outcomes for individuals with ASD and their families.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种多方面的发育状况，其特征是在社交沟通、兴趣受限和重复行为方面存在持续挑战。尽管无法治愈，但早期强化干预可以显著提高受影响者的生活质量。本文旨在从公共卫生角度审视东南亚地区自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的复杂性，强调全球患病率的上升以及新冠疫情带来的多重挑战。自闭症谱系障碍的患病率从20世纪80年代每10000名儿童中有4至5例上升到2012年每1000名儿童中有11.3例，这凸显了有效干预的必要性。疫情加剧了行为问题、焦虑以及与屏幕使用时间相关的健康问题，凸显了调整早期识别和支持策略的重要性。像《幼儿自闭症修正检查表》（M-CHAT）和《社交沟通问卷》（SCQ）等诊断工具在社区筛查中发挥着关键作用。有效的预防策略包括一级措施，如公众意识宣传活动和遗传咨询；二级措施，侧重于早期识别和干预；三级措施，涉及持续的支持和治疗。应对实施挑战，尤其是在低收入国家，需要提高公众意识、培训社区卫生工作者，并将自闭症谱系障碍服务纳入初级卫生保健系统。未来的研究应致力于开发和评估可扩展的、与文化相关的干预措施，并探索环境因素对自闭症谱系障碍的影响。社区层面的综合策略，结合强有力的公共卫生政策，对于改善自闭症谱系障碍患者及其家庭的结局至关重要。
