Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complicated condition that includes problems with communication and behavior. It can involve a wide range of symptoms and skills. ASD can be a minor problem or a disability that needs full-time care in a special facility.
Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations with major effects.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviors, activities, and interests. Symptoms may include: Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning); moving constantly. Obsessive attachment to unusual objects (rubber bands, keys, light switches).
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.
Like a learning disability, autism is a lifelong condition. Autism is sometimes referred to as a spectrum, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is not a learning disability, but around half of autistic people may also have a learning disability.
There are three types of autism spectrum disorders:
- Autistic Disorder. This is sometimes called “classic” autism.
- Asperger Syndrome. People with Asperger syndrome usually have milder symptoms of autistic disorder.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child's developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Sept. 27, 2007 -- Most teens and adults with autism have less severe symptoms and behaviors as they get older, a groundbreaking study shows. Not every adult with autism gets better. Some -- especially those with mental retardation -- may get worse.
Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having autism. Parents who have a child with ASD have a 2 to 18 percent chance of having a second child who is also affected. Studies have shown that among identical twins, if one child has autism, the other will be affected about 36 to 95 percent of the time.
Autism is significantly more common in boys than in girls. This skewed sex ratio has been recognized since the first cases of autism were described in the 1940s. The exact reasons for the ratio remain unclear. It could be rooted in biological differences between the sexes.
Sumathi Reddy. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that some children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, can outgrow their diagnosis. This isn't unqualified good news: Experts caution that those children often continue struggling with other conditions.
Donald Triplett, in full Donald Gray Triplett, (born September 1933, Forest, Mississippi, U.S.), American male who was the first person diagnosed with autism. Triplett was the eldest son of an affluent family; his mother's family had founded the local bank in Forest, Mississippi, and his father was an attorney.
Epidemiology. It is estimated that worldwide one in 160 children has an ASD. This estimate represents an average figure, and reported prevalence varies substantially across studies. Some well-controlled studies have, however, reported figures that are substantially higher.
Low autism prevalence is not confined to poor countries. A handful of small studies in France, for example, have found rates around 5 cases per 10,000 people. One study in Germany calculated it to be 1.9, and another in Portugal 16.7.
Altogether Autism uses the term autism except when talking about diagnosis, where the term Autism Spectrum Disorder is used. Other commonly used terms are Autism Spectrum, Autism Spectrum Condition, Asperger Syndrome, “Aspie,” High Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Autism is not an illnessIt's something you're born with or first appears when you're very young. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.
High functioning autism describes “mild” autism, or “level 1” on the spectrum. Asperger's syndrome is often described as high functioning autism. Symptoms are present, but the need for support is minimal.
Social communication and interaction symptoms
- inability to look at or listen to people.
- no response to their name.
- resistance to touching.
- a preference for being alone.
- inappropriate or no facial gestures.
- inability to start a conversation or keep one going.
ASD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.
Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
The researchers report that children with autism are more likely to produce 'unshared' laughter — laughing when others aren't — which jibes with the parent reports. In effect, children with autism seem to laugh when the urge strikes them, regardless of whether other people find a particular situation funny.
5 things to NEVER say to someone with Autism:
- “Don't worry, everyone's a little Autistic.” No.
- “You must be like Rainman or something.” Here we go again… not everyone on the spectrum is a genius.
- “Do you take medication for that?” This breaks my heart every time I hear it.
- “I have social issues too.
- “You seem so normal!
18, 2006 -- Too much TV time for toddlers may trigger autism, according to a study by Cornell business professors. Over the past few decades, there's been an amazing increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism. Some experts think this is due to broader diagnostic criteria for autism.
Individuals with level 1 autism, without proper support, will display noticeable impairments in social communication. Common behaviors in individuals with level 1 autism include: Inflexibility in behavior and thought. Difficulty switching between activities.
ASD occurs in every racial and ethnic group, and across all socioeconomic levels. However, boys are significantly more likely to develop ASD than girls. The latest analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children has ASD.
One of these children has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and the other with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—but their outward repetition of a compulsive behavior in this instance is nearly identical. Autism and OCD are separate conditions, even though many of the behavioral symptoms overlap.
- What is autism?
- What are the 5 different types of autism?
- Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Rett Syndrome.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
- Kanner's Syndrome.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Treatment and Development Strategies for the Types of Autism.
A rare, pervasive developmental disorder that does not fit the diagnosis for the other specific autistic spectrum disorders (autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder) and is characterized by usually milder developmental and social delay and less stereotypical autistic behavior.
TREATMENT OF IRRITABILITY AND AGGRESSION
- Risperidone. Risperidone (Risperdal, Janssen, and generics), a second-generation antipsychotic, was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat autism-related irritability.
- Aripiprazole.
- Clozapine.
- Haloperidol.
- Sertraline.
Chris has Williams Syndrome (WS), a rare genetic disorder affecting around one in 18,000 people in Britain. It has often been dubbed the 'opposite of autism'. People with WS are empathetic, social, friendly and endearing but they tend to have a low IQ, making tasks such as counting money difficult.
