Birth injuries aren’t just damaging on their own. They can create other diseases. A common one is when a baby gets cerebral palsy because they suffered from too little oxygen at birth. Scientists are finding out that certain birth injuries lead to an increased chance of autistic spectrum disorder.
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a person’s social skills, senses, interests, and much more. In severe cases, a child may need constant care to manage the condition. If your child has been diagnosed with ASD and suffered a birth injury caused by negligence, you can demand compensation for your child’s ASD treatment with our help.
What Is Autistic Spectrum Disorder?
Autistic spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a condition characterized by social deficits, repetitive or restrictive patterns of behavior, and sensory input difficulties. Commonly known as just autism, it covers a wide range of expressions. There is no cure, but it can be managed if you can get care for your child.
Many children with ASD grow up to become functional and happy adults, especially with proper early intervention, education, and training to help them cope with their unique symptoms. However, some children cannot gain these skills and will require help to function in daily life.
The word “spectrum” is used to describe that people with ASD can have a wide range of symptoms. Some symptoms may not appear unless the child’s coping mechanisms get overwhelmed, like when they enter school or encounter a stressful situation.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Birth Injuries Linked to Autistic Spectrum Disorder
There is no single cause for autistic spectrum disorder, though studies show that certain conditions dramatically raise the chances of it happening. For example, there’s a 500% increase in developing ASD if a baby is born before 27 weeks of gestation.
The major birth injuries linked to ASD include:
Preeclampsia
This is a serious condition that can threaten the life of the baby and the mother. It’s characterized by sudden high blood pressure, high protein in the urine, and water retention. It is believed to start with a problem in the placenta.
Problems in the placenta can reduce blood flow and oxygen to a baby’s developing brain. This can damage neurons and cause inflammation which may lead to ASD.
Birth Asphyxia
Birth asphyxia is an extremely serious birth injury that can kill babies and cause severe neurological problems in survivors. ASD is one of these, but many more can happen. It depends on which portions of the brain get damaged by the lack of oxygen.
Improper Fetus Position (Transverse or Breech)
If a fetus is in the wrong position when birth starts, it will have trouble fitting through the birth canal. The baby’s umbilical cord could get pinched and interfere with blood and oxygen flow. This can cause brain damage that could create ASD.
The same thing can happen if the baby is too large for the pelvic opening. Babies over a certain weight may need to be delivered by c-section to prevent problems. Your doctor should advise you if your baby is at risk for this and offer you the option.
Fetal Dystocia
Abnormal fetal size or positioning can result in a difficult birth. Fetal dystocia can be diagnosed by an examination, an ultrasound, or the response to augmentation of labor. Failure to diagnose this condition can cause unnecessary harm to the infant.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before birth. This causes bleeding and pain in the mother, but it also interrupts the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, which can affect a developing brain.
Maternal Diabetes
Maternal diabetes is also highly linked with autistic spectrum disorder and other neurodivergent conditions like ADHD. Diabetes can cause an inflammatory response in the body which could damage brain tissue during development.
Could I Win Damages If My Child Gets ASD from a Birth Injury?
It’s possible, but you and your birth injury lawyer will first have to prove a few things. You must show that your medical provider committed medical malpractice (or rarely, deliberate harm) against you or your baby during your pregnancy or soon after birth.
If we can show they acted outside of the standards of care and caused your baby’s birth injury, then we can look at how it has affected your child. We would have to show that your baby’s ASD likely wouldn’t have developed if it weren’t for the injury to claim damages for it.
Arguing whether this is so is part of the job of a birth injury lawyer. They fight to ensure you get coverage for all of your damages, even the ones you don’t know about. We will find out if a birth injury led to your child’s ASD.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
What Should I do If I Suspect My Child Has ASD?
Autistic spectrum disorder can be difficult to diagnose. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means they must rule other disorders out before they can diagnose your child with it. You should speak with a medical professional with experience in treating infant autism for a diagnosis.
It is easier to detect in toddlers, but some signs of infant autism include:
- Declining eye contact between two and six months.
- Reduced communication, or missed communication milestones. Babies should make sounds at 4 months, respond to their name at 6 months, and start pointing at things at 9 months.
- A lack of interest in other people, or often being in their own world, after four months of age.
- Reduced eye tracking at two months
- Reduced or delayed facial expressions
- Any noticeable loss of communication skills over time.
Symptoms in toddlers include:
- Delayed or absence speech
- Difficulty with changes in routine
- Delayed toilet training
- Intense interest in objects
- Repetitive motions
- Repeating words or phrases without intention to communicate (echolalia)
Early diagnosis and treatment of ASD can create better long-term outcomes for your child, so we urge you to get your child checked if you’re suspicious.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
Speak With a Birth Injury Lawyer
If your child is diagnosed with ASD, contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group to speak with a lawyer in your state. We can see if your child suffered a birth injury that led to autistic spectrum disorder. If so, we will help you sue the doctors responsible for harming your child.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."
