Canner's syndrome
Canner's syndrome or early childhood autism (RDA) is a violation in mental development, in which the child has problems with communicability, social perception, and underdevelopment of emotional manifestations.
Causes of the canner's syndrome
Today, the exact causes of the development of Kanner's syndrome are not known. It is believed that the disease is hereditary. It can occur under the influence of the following risk factors:
- intrauterine infections;
- asphyxia, which has arisen in the process of childbirth;
- damage received by the child at birth - trauma to the neck or head.
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of the syndrome, like many other psychopathies, has not been studied. There are several mechanisms for the development of the disease in the guise of "symptomatic autism," as a result of the development of brain infections, or in the period of convalescence after the encephalitis (this syndrome is called postencephalitic autism). It is now believed that RDA is an early form of schizophrenia that develops in a child in the first 2 years of life. This disease affects boys more often.
Symptoms of the canner's syndrome
Symptoms of Kanner's syndrome are:
- The child is not able to be in visual contact with people, whether parents or strangers;
- His actions have a certain sequence with a constant repetition of monotonous movements;
- There is no understanding of the threat and danger, as well as the ability to assess the situation;
- Echolalia - babbling, repeated many times; Instead of the usual speech - imitation of its sound;
- Aggressive behavior towards close or unfamiliar people if they try to contact him;
- Replaying games for their vision, ignoring the rules and making their own, which makes the child unable to play with peers;
- The patient communicates with objects and at the same time does not want to communicate with people;
- Mutism, which is considered one of the main symptoms - the child is stubbornly silent and does not respond when he is approached or tried to talk.
First signs
The first signs of Kanner's syndrome are easy to identify, since a child from an early age is notable for his unusual behavior - a weak expression of emotions, frequent fixation on some subjects and repetition of actions, taciturnity, refusal to make contact. Closedness in itself is not an indicator of mental retardation, but it is during the diagnosis that it becomes the most expressive symptom.
Diagnostics of the canner's syndrome
In addition to Kanner's syndrome, children may also have other mental disorders - for example, neurosis or schizophrenia - and some healthy babies may exhibit signs that are characteristic of autism. Therefore, if suspicion arises, do not hesitate to lead the child to a child psychiatrist for an examination to diagnose the presence or absence of the disease. At the same time, it is often not enough to examine a psychiatrist for a diagnosis, and a neurologist, pedagogue, pediatrician and psychologist should also be examined.
Analyzes
In some cases, for the diagnosis of a psychiatrist, information about the general condition of the sick child's body is required - for this, he can send it for the delivery of urine and blood tests.
Instrumental diagnostics
To exclude other mental illnesses and confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may need an electroencephalogram procedure.
Differential diagnosis
Canner's syndrome must be differentiated from Asperger's syndrome, Rett, and also by mental retardation and impaired sense organs. It is also important to distinguish RDA from the early stage of schizophrenia and deprivation syndrome (so-called hospitalism).
Comparative characteristics of Asperger and Kanner syndrome
|
Early Childhood Autism (Kanner's Syndrome) |
Autistic psychopathy (Asperger syndrome) |
|
|
First deviations |
Usually in the first months of life |
Significant deviations, which begin with 3 years |
|
Visual communication with other people |
At first, usually turns away, later begins to establish contact, but in rare cases; evasive and short-term reaction |
In rare cases, and for a short time |
|
Speech skills |
Talking starts late, speech is poorly developed (about 50% of sick children) Strong retardation of speech development Observed echolalia (communicative function of speech is impaired) |
Speech skill develops early A correct and competent speech is developing early Speech is used for communication, but there are still violations - speech is spontaneous |
|
Mental capacity |
Specific structure of intelligence, abilities greatly reduced |
In most cases, the intellect is at a high level or above the average |
|
Motor skills |
There are no violations if there is no concomitant disease |
Problems with motor motility - coordination disorders, awkwardness, awkwardness |
Treatment of the canner's syndrome
It is very important to provide the child with special educators. Kanner's syndrome is not accompanied by a violation of intelligence, but because of emotional disorders these children can not be trained according to the standard program. Together with the doctors, the educator must choose the method of training suitable for the child, as well as an individual program in which all his abilities will be used to the maximum.
It is also important to communicate with the child's psychologist, because a variety of psychological techniques can help develop communication skills in society, to teach them to adapt in the team. There are special techniques for autistics, for example, holding therapy (this is a method with the use of forced embraces), it helps to strengthen the emotional connection between the sick child and his parents.
We also need to carefully consider the diet of a child with Kenner's syndrome - these children need a special diet. Since they have a disruption in the digestive enzymes, the ability of the body to break down certain types of proteins found in flour products and milk is reduced. Because of this, it is necessary to limit the use of dairy and flour products to patients.
It is very important and the involvement of the family of a small autistic in the rehabilitation process. Parents should not be incomprehensible and cold towards the child, as this negatively affects the treatment process. It is necessary to surround the baby with care, love and support - this greatly contributes to the improvement of the patient's condition.
Among the methods of therapy are also developing psychological support courses, conducted both individually and in groups:
- classes with a speech therapist;
- exercises of physical therapy;
- procedures of medical work;
- dancing, music and drawing.
Medications
Many doctors with great care are prescribed psychotropic medications to autsters, since there is no reliable information that they have a positive effect on the patient. Use these drugs should be, if the child is overexcited, trying to physically harm yourself, problems with sleep. For treatment in these cases, antidepressants (Amitriptyline) and neuroleptics (in small doses) are used - usually Sonapaks, Haloperidol, Rispolept.
Also in the process of therapy with the use of drugs used drugs that improve the metabolism in the brain tissues (such as Aminalon, Cerebrolysin, as well as glutamic acid), and nootropic substances (Nootropil).
Vitamins and physiotherapy
Improve the condition of the patient can also therapy with the use of vitamins. To treat the syndrome of Kanner apply vitamins from groups B, C, as well as PP.
Performed and the procedures of physiotherapeutic treatment - magnetotherapy, water treatment, electrophoresis. Also children are engaged in physical education, receiving the necessary physical load.
Alternative treatment
In order to calm the autistic, sometimes it is recommended to use ground nutmeg, since it helps improve blood circulation in the brain and has a calming effect. It is necessary to take a tiny dose of this ingredient and dissolve it in a small amount of milk. But it should be remembered that the nut contains safrole (psychotropic substance), so it is better not to use alternative treatment without consulting a doctor.
Herbal Treatment
After consultation with a doctor, you can use calming herbal medicines as an auxiliary method of therapy.
When treating herbs, you can use a decoction of the field bindweed, lemon balm, and also the leaves of the ginkgo biloba plant. This medicine is prepared as follows: 5 grams of crushed ingredients pour 250 ml of water and boil for about 10-15 minutes, then cool. Decoction drink 3 r. / Day. (before eating for 25-30 minutes) for 1-2 tablespoons.
Prevention
There are no specific preventive methods to prevent a child from developing a Kanner syndrome. But you can reduce the possible risk of this disease - if the future parents with serious approach to the process of planning pregnancy. Even before conception, you should undergo an examination with specialists to identify and treat chronic diseases or infections. Also, a pregnant woman should constantly visit a women's consultation, adhere to a healthy lifestyle and do not contact with infectious patients.
Forecast
The prognosis about the future condition of the patient can be made only by the attending physician, who has observed the child constantly. There are many cases that demonstrate that with qualitative treatment, Kanner's syndrome, even in severe form of the disease, will not prevent the patient from developing, and the weak signs of the disease can effectively make the effectively selected therapy almost invisible.
Medical expert editor
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, Specialty - "General Medicine"
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