Autism

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Autism is a brain development disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child is three years old. This set of signs distinguishes autism from milder autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Autism appears to have a strong genetic basis; the genetics of autism are complex, and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations. In some cases, autism is associated with agents that can cause birth defects or childhood vaccines.

ASD appears in 1 in every 150 births while autism appears in 1 in every 500 births. ASD is four times more likely to effect male children than female children. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, due in part to changes in diagnostic practice. The question of whether actual prevalence has increased in unresolved.

Autism affects many parts of the brain, but it is not understood how this occurs. Parents normally notice signs during the first two years of their child's life. Early behavioral and cognitive intervention can help children improve their social and communication skills.

There is no known cure for autism. Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood.

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Causes

There is a presumed belief that there is a common cause for autism at the genetic, cognitive, and neural levels. However, there is increasing supposition that autism is instead a complex disorder whose core aspects have distinct causes that often occur at the same time.

Theories abound as to the causes of autism.

  • Genetics: multigene interactions or genetic mutations
  • Teratogens: agents that cause birth defects
  • Environmental Factors: certain foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, plastics, pesticides, alcohol, smoking, drugs, vaccines, stress
  • Childhood Vaccinations
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Characteristics

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Early Signs

  • Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
  • Does not speak one word by 16 months
  • Does not combine two words by 2 years
  • Does not respond to name
  • Loses language or social skills
  • Poor eye contact
  • Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
  • Excessively lines up toys or other objects
  • Is attached to one particular toy or object
  • Doesn't smile
  • At times seems to be hearing impaired
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Symptoms

  • Seizure Disorders
  • Gastrointestinal Issues
  • Mental Retardation
  • Mental Illness
  • Social and Communication Issues
    • Delayed or unusual speech patterns
    • High pitched or flat intonation
    • Lack of slang or "kidspeak"
    • Difficulty understanding tone of voice and body language
    • Lack of eye contact
    • Inability to take another's perspective
  • Sensory and Motor Issues
    • Sensitivity to light, sound, crowds, and other external stimulation
    • Fine and gross motor difficulty
      • Poor handwriting
      • Difficulty with athletic coordination
  • Personality Issues
    • Engage in repetitive behaviors and ritualized activities
    • Having one or a few passionate interests
    • Have difficulty in making and keeping multiple friends
    • Prefer activities that require little verbal interaction
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Diagnosing Autism

Autism is diagnosed based on behavior. A pediatrician commonly performs a preliminary investigation by taking a development history and physically examining the child. ASD specialists, along with pediatric neuropsycholigists can be asked to assist in the diagnosis if needed. Genetic evaluations are often done once ASD is diagnosed.

ASD can sometimes be diagnosed by the age of 14 months, but diagnosis becomes increasingly stable over the first 3 years of life.

Although the symptoms of autism and ASD begin early in childhood, they are sometimes missed. Adults may seek diagnoses to help them and their family and friends understand them and their disorder, help employers make adjustments, or to claim disability living allowances or other benefits.

Under diagnosis and overdiagnosis are problems in some cases, and the increase over the past two decades in the number of reported ASD cases is likely due to changes in diagnostic practices. Popularity of drug treatment options and the expansion of benefits have given providers incentives to diagnose ASD; this has resulted in some overdiagnosis of children with uncertain symptoms. Conversely, the cost of screening and diagnosis, along with the challenge of obtaining payment, can inhibit or delay diagnosis.

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Treatments

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): reward-based training which focuses on teaching particular skills
  • Speech Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy: focuses on building daily lives
  • Social Skills Therapy
  • Physical Therapy: builds strength, coordination, and basic sports skills
  • Play Therapy: serves as a tool for building speech, communication, and social skills
  • Behavior Therapy: helps to figure out what lies behind the frustration and negative behavior of some people with autism; recommends changes to the environment and routines to improve behavior
  • Developmental Therapies: build from an autistic child's interests, strengths, and developmental levels to increase emotional, social, and intellectual abilities
  • Visual Based Therapies
  • Biomedical Therapies: includes pharmaceuticals, special diets, supplements, and alternative treatments
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Autism Myths

  • All autistic people are alike
    • Wrong; the only elements that all autistic people seem to have in common are difficulties with social communication
  • Autistic people don't have feelings
    • Wrong; most autistic people are extremely capable of feeling and expressing emotions and in many ways, they are far more empathetic than the average person; they just have trouble expressing emotion in what most consider to be "normal" ways
  • Autistic people can't build relationships
    • Wrong; autistic people can build strong relationships with those closest to them, but may have a problem acclimating to new people
  • Autistic people are a danger to society
    • Wrong; it is very rare for an autistic person to act violently out of malice
  • All autistic people are savants
    • Wrong; the majority of autistic people have ordinary or less than ordinary skill sets
  • Autistic people have no language skills
    • Wrong; most with classic autism are sometimes non-verbal or nearly non-verbal but some with diagnoses at the higher end of the spectrum are extremely verbal with high reading skills
  • Autistic people can't do much
    • Wrong; autistic individuals can achieve great things if they are supported by people that believe in their potential
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External Links

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Relevant discussion threads on AboveTopSecret.com

Retrieved from "http://tinwiki.org/wiki/Autism"