What Is Autism?

"Autism affects more than 400,000 Americans, between 10 and 20 of every 10,000 people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke " (www.healthylivingonline.org). Autism is a developmental disability of the brain, which is a great deal like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder (ADD). Autism is not a type of mental retardation, and most of time the individuals are very intellectual. Society needs to be knowledgeable of what autism is, what causes it, what individuals with autism are like, whether there is more than one form of autism, and what are the main successful approaches. "There is no known cure for autism, although medication may help some of the symptoms in some cases. There are often great efforts made

by parents and educators to help children with autism change their behaviors, making it easier for them to assimilate into a social world" (Debbaudt 16).

"Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life" (www.methuen.k12.ma.us). The outcome of a neurological disorder that influences the operation of the brain, autism and its related behaviors have been expected to take place in as many as 1 in 500 people. "Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries" (www.autism101.com).

"Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills" (www.autism101.com). Many individuals with autism in general have complications with verbal and non-verbal communication, social relations, rest and relaxation or play behavior. The disability makes it difficult for him or her to communicate with others and interact with the outside world. In some cases, destructive and/or self-inflicted behavior may occur. Individuals with autism might demonstrate recurring body movements, unusual reaction to people or affection to objects and struggle with modifications in his or her routine. "Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste (www.bic.uci.edu).

"Over one half million people in the U.S. today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder" (www.ibis-birthdefects.org). Its popularity ratio presents autism as a common developmental disabilities. However, the majority of the community, consisting of several specialists in the medical, educational, and vocational fields, are even now unaware of how autism influences individuals and how he or she can successfully work with individuals with autism.

Medical examiners are investigating various details for the several types of autism. "Although a single specific cause of autism is not known, current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain" (www.birth23.org). In a number of families there appears to be a pattern of autism or associated disabilities that entails there is a genetic foundation to the disability. While, at the moment there has been no gene that has been completely connected to autism. The genetic foundation is thought by examiners to be extremely multifaceted, most likely involving many genes in combination.

There have many out-of-date hypotheses about the cause of autism that have been confirmed to be incorrect. Autism is without a doubt not a mental illness. Children with autism are not troublesome children who decide to have behaviors. The way a parent raises the child does not cause autism. In addition, there are no known psychological factors in the development of the youngster that has been discovered to cause autism. "There is also evidence that a virus can cause autism. There is an increased risk in having an autistic child after exposure to rubella during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Additionally, there is also a growing concern that viruses associated with vaccinations, such as the measles component of the MMR vaccine and the pertussis component of the DPT shot may cause autism. There is also growing concern that toxins and pollution in the environment can also lead to autism" (www.autism.org).

There isn't any medical testing for diagnosing autism. "An accurate diagnosis must be based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior, and developmental levels" (www.setuindia.org). In spite of this, several of the behaviors connected with autism are connected with other disorders, a variety of medical tests may be ordered to exclude or discover other probable causes of the symptoms being demonstrated.

"Children within the pervasive developmental disorder spectrum often appear relatively normal in their development until the age of 24-30 months, when parents may notice delays in language, play or social interaction. Any of the following delays, by themselves, would not result in a diagnosis of a pervasive developmental disorder. Autism is a combination of several developmental challenges" (www.setuindia.org).

According to Setu Developmental Intervention Centre, people with autism may have the following affected:

Ð'* Communication: language develops slowly or not at all; uses words without attaching the usual meaning to them; communicates with gestures instead of words; short attention span;

Ð'* Social Interaction: spends time alone rather than with others; shows little interest in making friends; less responsive to social cues such as eye contact or smiles;

Ð'* Sensory Impairment: may have sensitivities in the areas of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste to a greater or lesser degree;

Ð'* Play: lack of spontaneous or imaginative play; does not imitate others' actions; does not initiate pretend games;

Ð'* Behaviors: may be overactive or very passive; throws tantrums for no apparent reason; shows an obsessive interest in a single item, idea, activity or person; apparent lack of common sense; may show aggression to others or self; often has difficulty with changes in routine.

A few people with autism could have other disorders that have an effect on the performance of their brain, for instance: Epilepsy, Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome, or genetic disorders, or Tourette's Syndrome. Several that have been diagnosed with autism will have an IQ in the range of mental retardation. Roughly 25-30 percent of people with autism may have seizures during his or her life span.

"Contrary to popular understanding, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees" (www.setuindia.org). People