Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a collection of complex developmental disorder. It takes place in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Autism is more likely to be found in boys than girls by four to five times. In this article plenty of autism symptoms and signs have been illustrated. Besides, some of the autism therapy and diet have been highlighted.

What is Autism

Autism, PDD: Definition

Autism: Risk Factors

Asperger’s Syndrome

Autism Symptoms and Signs

Autism Symptoms and Signs: Baby, Toddler and Adult

Autism: Causes and Prevention

Autism Therapy, Autism Treatment

Gluten-free diet for Autism

CHAT – Autism Checklist for Toddlers

Checklist for Autism in Toddlers

What is Autism?

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a collection of complex developmental disorder or disabilities that could be noticeable when the child is aged from 12 to 18 months. The behavioral characteristics of autism are almost apparent when the child is aged 36 months.

Children with autism have difficulty communicating and interacting with others. They have problem in understanding other people feel and think. This has resulted in making them hard to express themselves through words, touch, gestures and facial expressions.

For the most part of people with autism have trouble using language, establishing relationships, and properly understanding and reacting to the external environment around them.

ASD take place in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Besides, ASD are more likely to be found in boys than girls by four to five times. In the year 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) come across about 1 in 150 eight-year-old children in a few areas of the United States had ASD.

In accordance to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ASD is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that includes: -

(1) Impairments or problem in social interaction

(2) Developmental language and communication shortfall

(3) A pattern of rigid, repetitive behaviors with narrow restricted interests

Different individual with autism can have different signs and symptoms. Physical health care providers consider autism as a “spectrum” disorder as it is a group of disorders or disabilities with similar characteristics. An individual may have mild symptoms, while other may have severe symptoms or in between.

Mildly affected individual may seem close to normal and can progress developmental and gain knowledge of new skills. Although milder symptoms may frequently persevere throughout the individual’s life time, a number of children may improve a lot until they no longer meet the criteria of autism. In contrast, the severely affected individual may have tremendous intellectual disability and not able to perform in normal life and require lifetime nursing, guidance and institutional care.

However, the autistic person may have unusual developed talent in other areas, for example composing music, drawing, memorizing facts or resolving mathematics problems. As a result, they may test higher in the nonverbal intelligence tests perhaps average or above-average range.

There is no cure for autism. Nevertheless intensive early therapy or treatment can achieve a significant difference in the lives of many children with the disorder. Even though there are more children diagnosed with autism than before, the perspective for these children has changed dramatically.

A few decades ago, if a child was diagnosed with autism, there was little chance for leading to a normal life. In reality, many parents were encouraged by expert or specialist to leave their autistic child into institutional care where it would reduce the family’s stress of trying to raise the child. Conversely, recent research has established that by giving the child with adequate support and appropriate developmental therapy, significant improvement can be achieved.

References

[1] American Academic of Pediatrics, “Health Issues – Autism Spectrum Disorders”, http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/Autism-Spectrum-Disorders.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR:+No+local+token

[2] FamilyDoctor.org, “Autism and your Child”, (July 2010), http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/common/634.html

[3] L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, Michael G. Aman, PhD, Eric Butter, PhD, Patricia H. Cloppert, BSFS, Luc Lecavalier, PhD, Jacqueline Wynn, PhD, NetWellness, “Autism”, (10^th March 2009), http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/autism/overview.cfm

[4] Mayo Clinic Staff, MayoClinic.com “Autism”, (27^th May 2010) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/DS00348

[5] National Institute of Health, “Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)”, (28^th July 2010), http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm

[6] Reviewed by David Hirsch, MD, WebMD, “Autism Spectrum Disorders Health Center – Understanding Autism – The Basics”, (31^st October 2010), http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/understanding-autism-basics

[7] Revising Medical Author: Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD, Revising Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR MedicineNet.com, “Autism”, http://www.medicinenet.com/autism_and_communication/article.htm#1whatis

[8] Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD, Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, emedicinehealth, “Autism”, (13^th July 2010), http://www.emedicinehealth.com/autism/article_em.htm#Autism Overview

Last update: 13-Nov-11 10:52 AM