Autism in the 21st century

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Omar Issam Al-Boobali, a 5th year medical student at the University of Ain Shams. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined, according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Though the term “Autism” has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, the term ASD is relatively recent, introduced in 2013, in the DSM-5, the term encompasses conditions like: Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. 

Thanks to the efforts of ongoing research, our understanding of ASD continues to improve and grow day by day, however, patients with these conditions can often go unnoticed by parents and caregivers. Research shows that this could be due to neglect, lack of knowledge or awareness, or, unfortunately, stigma associated with these conditions, and as a result a large number of cases go undiagnosed. In addition to that, sometimes the high number of undiagnosed cases may be attributed to the lack of awareness and education of the healthcare provider. Not enough medical and health institutions provide sufficient teaching about these conditions, which in turn causes the future healthcare providers to lack adequate knowledge, such as: signs to look for, ways to manage, and of course, general attitudes and ethics when dealing with such cases, and they might retain some stereotyped beliefs about the condition. Considering all these obstacles, this renders patients with ASD as well as their families and/or caregivers, either unable to access the means for diagnosis, or unable to manage and follow-up upon diagnosis. 

ASD is a lifelong condition, and currently, no single cure is known,therefore, and according to the most recent research and evidence-based medicine, the best way for the management of these conditions is through early diagnosis and intervention. In a study conducted in 2017, where delayed diagnoses showed an increase in parental stress and delayed intervention, it also showed that intervention implemented before the age of 4 was associated with better outcomes for social and adaptive behavior, cognition, as well as language.  

There is also significant evidence that suggests that a strong and supportive family-professional relationship is also necessary for better outcomes. Parents and caregivers must also receive support from the healthcare system. They must be made aware of the nature of the condition and the means to deal with it. 

In order to achieve the best care for individuals with ASD, it is imperative that health care institutions and professionals are made aware of the nature of these conditions and the needs of the patients. Equal access to healthcare is an undeniable human right, and individuals with this condition deserve just as much care as anyone else, and only through continuous efforts to understand and better handle such cases, and a supportive empathetic approach that is free of stereotypes and stigmas should this goal be achieved. 

About the author

Omar Issam Al-Boobali is a 5th year medical student at the University of Ain Shams, he is currently a general member of IFMSA-Egypt but has previously served as a core team member and an internal development assistant in the Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 

Omar is deeply passionate about research and public health and firmly believes in the humanitarian role of physicians. He advocates for integrating evidence-based research with compassionate patient care. He remains committed to these values through continuous efforts to expand his understanding of medicine and research, and consistently practicing empathetic approaches in patient care.