Autism
What
is it?
Autism is a disorder of brain
function that affects the way the brain uses or
transmits information.
Autistic children have difficulty
developing normal social and
language skills, and intelligence is often below
normal. They behave in ritualistic and compulsive
ways and respond to stimuli in bizarre ways.
Autism is one of the pervasive development
disorders (PDD).
Who
gets it?
Autism occurs in as many as 1
or 2 per 1,000 children, with symptoms usually
appearing before age 3.
It is four times more common in boys than girls, and usually
occurs in the first-born boy.
Autism is found in all races.
What
causes it?
The cause of autism isn’t
known, but in most cases it seems to occur during
fetal development.
It is not caused by poor parenting, as was
believed in the past. Autism
often occurs in children with congenital rubella
syndrome, neurofibromatosis, encephalitis, and
tuberous sclerosis. Autism
may also be linked to genetic syndromes such as
fragile X syndrome (a chromosomal disorder) and
phenylketonuria (an inherited enzyme deficiency).
Studies of identical twins have shown that
if it occurs in one twin it will occur in both. If
you have one autistic child, your chance of having
another child with autism is about 1 in 20.
Research has shown that families of
autistic children often have a history of
emotional disorders, such as manic depression.
What
are the symptoms?
Symptoms can range from mild
to severe. Children
with autistic disorder may appear normal for the
first few months of life, but gradually become
more and more unresponsive. An
autistic child does not form attachments with his
or her parents, prefers to be alone, avoids eye
contact, and does not enjoy cuddling or any close
human contact.
As an infant, he or she may cry when picked
up. Autistic
children usually have speech delays or do not
speak at all.
They often have difficulty understanding
what is said to them and may repeat words or
phrases that are spoken to them.
They also often reverse pronouns, referring to themselves as
“you” instead of “I” or “me.”
Symptoms as the child ages
include difficulty with imaginative or fantasy
play; repeated actions such as rhythmic rocking,
arm flapping, and finger twirling; obsession with
one idea or object; unusual responses to sounds;
indifference to the feelings of others; abnormal
speech patterns and tones; screaming fits;
resistance to change; and hyperactivity.
In severe cases, autistic children may play
with their own bodily fluids and injure themselves
deliberately.
About 10% of children with autism have an
extraordinary ability in one area, such as in
mathematics, memory, music, or art. This
phenomenon is referred to as “autistic
savant.” Autism
has no effect on life expectancy and some autistic
adults can hold jobs, especially those that
require a great deal of repetition.
How
is it diagnosed?
There is no definitive test
for autism. It
is diagnosed through observation of the child’s
behavior, communication skills, and social
interactions. However,
your doctor may perform medical tests to look for
other causes of a brain disorder.
Children who have some, but not the full range of, autistic
symptoms may have an autistic
spectrum disorder.
For example, children who have autistic
behavior but no problems with language may be
diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
Children who begin to demonstrate autistic behavior as they
get older may have Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder (CDD).
What
is the treatment?
There is no cure for autism.
The goal of any treatment is to reduce specific symptoms and
to improve behavior.
This can be done through language and
behavioral therapy.
Older children often benefit from special
education teachers and classroom settings that
provide a more structured, individualized
approach. Your
doctor may prescribe mood or behavior altering
drugs for symptoms that endanger the child or
greatly affect his or her ability to interact with
others, such as in a school setting.
These may include stimulants,
antidepressants, opiate blockers, antipsychotics,
and tranquilizers.
There are no medications, however, that
completely eliminate all symptoms.
While alternative treatments do exist, you
should consult your doctor before trying any new
treatment.
Self-care
tips
Until
a cause is discovered, there is no way to prevent
autism. If
your child has been diagnosed with autism, follow
your doctor’s recommendations for therapy and
treatment. Many
parents find support groups are a great source of
information and comfort.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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