Brain Diseases and Disorders

25

families of children with ASD [190]. Although the same diagnostic criteria were

applied, the initial estimate of the frequency of autism was roughly 4/10,000

in the 1940s. However, throughout the past few decades, there have been

significant increases in the prevalence of autism [191]. In large-scale studies,

the frequency of autism has been reported to be 1–2% [192]. This increase in

autism cases appears to be more closely associated with factors like improved

autism awareness and recognition, easy access to health services, geographic

differences, the inclusion of mild cases without intellectual disability in the

diagnosis, and earlier diagnosis ages, even though the role of risk factors in

the increase of incidence of autism cannot be excluded [192]. In clinical stud-

ies, ASD was found to be 4–6 times more common in boys than girls, and

in community samples, it was 2–3 times more common in boys [191]. Early

diagnosis of ASD is of great importance in terms of the path to be followed

in the treatment process of the disease. When children are correctly guided

through early diagnosis, they benefit more from the treatment and education

process than other autistic individuals due to their tendency [193].

Common treatments used in ASD include behavioral training programs,

floor play therapy, pharmacological treatments, and alternative treatments

(such as allergy, diet, occupational and emotional integration therapy). The

symptoms of individuals with ASD are controlled through lifelong education

programs and they are no different from their peers when they reach ado-

lescence. However, for these treatment methods to play an effective role with

early diagnosis, awareness-raising activities about autism are a must. In recent

years, studies and research on early diagnosis of autism have gained momen-

tum, and attention has been drawn to various factors that reduce the age

of diagnosis. The fact that the mysterious nature of the disease has rapidly

attracted experts interested in this subject, the increasing number of studies

conducted, the importance society attaches to quality communication, and the

technological requirements of the information age are just some of the reasons

that enable early diagnosis [194].

Many genetic diseases such as Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis,

Phenyl Ketonuria, Williams Syndrome, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, Cohen

Syndrome, and WAGR Syndrome are also observed in individuals with ASD.

44% of children with Tuberous Sclerosis and 12–21% of children with Fragile

X Syndrome (FXS) have autistic symptoms [195]. Medical disorders such as

Fragile X Syndrome and Rett Syndrome are also called “secondary autism”,

and 5–10% of cases of ASD are accompanied by secondary autism [187]. The

occurrence of ASD together with genetic disorders suggests that two separate

genes that lead to two separate disorders are closely related to each other

[196]. Although the genetic effects are pronounced in the etiology of ASD, it

does not seem possible to talk about a genetically based treatment method at

present.

Autism is a lifelong disease that has no cure. However, alternative therapies

and treatments may be used to reduce some problems that occur in individ-

uals with ASD. Among these treatments are acupuncture, cleansing therapy,