AUTISM

Autism

Autism

Autism Symptoms

Autism is a condition surrounded by myth and generalizations about people with autism that are rarely appropriate. The common beliefs that people with autism never express emotion, never smile or laugh, never make eye contact, never talk, and never display affection are simply that-myths. Just as every person is unique, with his or her own personality and characteristics, every person with autism manifests the disorder in his or her unique way.

The list of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism is long, and each affected person expresses his or her own combination of these behaviors. None of these clinical features is common to all people with autism, and many are occasionally exhibited by people who are not autistic.( Silverman, 2008)

That said, however, all people with autism have abnormal functioning in 3 core areas of development: social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the presence of repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The diagnosis of autism is typically made when impairment is significant in all 3 areas.

Remaining aloof, preferring to be alone

Difficulty interacting with other people and failure to make peer friendships

May not want to cuddle or be cuddled

Lack of or abnormal social play

Not responding to verbal cues (acting as if deaf)

Aggressive or self-injurious behavior

Noticeable extreme underactivity or overactivity

Throwing tantrums

Short attention span

Inability to initiate or sustain conversation.

Autism Causes

Although autism is the result of a neurologic abnormality, the cause of these problems with the nervous system is unknown in most cases. Research findings indicate a strong genetic component. Most likely, environmental, immunologic, and metabolic factors also influence the development of the disorder.( Arndt TL, 2005)

There is probably no single gene or genetic defect that is responsible for autism. Researchers suspect that there are a number of different genes that, when combined together, increase the risk of getting autism. In families with one child with autism, the risk of having another child with autism is 3-8%. The concordance of autism in monozygotic twins is 30%. A number of studies have found that first-degree relatives of children with autism also have an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders.

In some children, autism is linked to an underlying medical condition. Examples include metabolic disorders (untreated phenylketonuria [PKU]), congenital infections (rubella, cytomegalovirus [CMV], toxoplasmosis), genetic disorders (fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis), developmental brain abnormalities (microcephaly, macrocephaly, cerebral dysgenesis), and neurologic disorders acquired after birth ( lead encephalopathy, bacterial meningitis). These medical disorders alone do not cause autism as most children with these conditions do not have autism.( Volkmar, 2005)

Treatment

A pediatrician will refer the caregiver and the child to a specialist in developmental disorders for the assessment. Some people may want to have this specialist treat their child's condition, but they are free to seek treatment elsewhere.

There is no standard treatment for autism, and different professionals have different philosophies and practices in caring for their patients.

You may want to talk to more than one specialist to find the one with whom you feel most comfortable.

Ask family members, friends, and the health care provider to get ...