| What Is Autism |
| Important Information About Autism |
All About Autism
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Mercy Me: Bring The Rain
What is autism?
Autism is a developmental delay that includes symptoms such as speech
difficulties, lack of eye contact, isolation and no fear of danger.
Autistic children act and sound like much younger children. What causes
autism specifically is not known. Some experts believe there are
bio-chemical reasons for autism; others suspect that it is a psychiatric
disorder. Some believe that a combination of the wrong foods and too
many antibiotics and environmental toxins can damage the colon and lead
to physical and behavioral problems, including autism.
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize Autism. Autistic
children have difficulty with social interaction, problems with verbal and
non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive
interests. Many children with Autism engage in repetitive movements such
as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head
banging.
Many children with Autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are
abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, smell or other sensory stimulation.
What are the different types of Autism?
* Autistic Disorder- Children with this kind of autism have all the
behaviors of autism. This kind of autism is also called "classic
autism". Each child may be effected in different ways and many
never learn to talk. A child can be diagnosed high functioning or
a medium to low function range.
* Asperger Syndrome- Children with this kind of Autism often
have good language skills and high intelligence, but they have
problems relating to others and may have only very specific
interests.
* Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not otherwise specified
(PDD-NOS) Children with this kind of autism have some
behaviors of autism but not all. Many children with PDD-NOS
have fewer difficulties than \those with classic autism.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the
world, increasing at a rate of 10-17 percent a year.
12 to 17 million Americans have a family member living with
Autism
Autism is a developmental delay that includes symptoms such as speech
difficulties, lack of eye contact, isolation and no fear of danger.
Autistic children act and sound like much younger children. What causes
autism specifically is not known. Some experts believe there are
bio-chemical reasons for autism; others suspect that it is a psychiatric
disorder. Some believe that a combination of the wrong foods and too
many antibiotics and environmental toxins can damage the colon and lead
to physical and behavioral problems, including autism.
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize Autism. Autistic
children have difficulty with social interaction, problems with verbal and
non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive
interests. Many children with Autism engage in repetitive movements such
as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head
banging.
Many children with Autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are
abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, smell or other sensory stimulation.
What are the different types of Autism?
* Autistic Disorder- Children with this kind of autism have all the
behaviors of autism. This kind of autism is also called "classic
autism". Each child may be effected in different ways and many
never learn to talk. A child can be diagnosed high functioning or
a medium to low function range.
* Asperger Syndrome- Children with this kind of Autism often
have good language skills and high intelligence, but they have
problems relating to others and may have only very specific
interests.
* Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not otherwise specified
(PDD-NOS) Children with this kind of autism have some
behaviors of autism but not all. Many children with PDD-NOS
have fewer difficulties than \those with classic autism.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the
world, increasing at a rate of 10-17 percent a year.
12 to 17 million Americans have a family member living with
Autism
According to the latest statistics autism is growing at a startling rate of
10-17 percent per year. At this rate, it is estimated that autism could
affect 4 million Americans in the next decade. Today 1 in 150 children
are diagnosed with autism, or 1 in 94 boys, since boys are affected 4
times more than girls making it more common than pediatric cancer,
diabetes and aids combined.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during
the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder
that impacts development in the areas of social interaction and
communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show
difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and
leisure or play activities. This is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By
learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many
specialized intervention programs. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social
boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect
any family, and any child.
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that
it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Researchers
are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity,
genetics and medical problems. It appears that some children are born
with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a
single "trigger" that causes autism to develop. There is no known cure at
this time.
Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a
unique personality and combination of characteristics and may act
completely different from one another and have varying capabilities. It is
more important to understand that children with autism can learn and
function normally and show improvement with appropriate treatment and
education. People with autism also process and respond to information in
unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior
may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit some or all of the
following traits: resistant to change, Difficulty in expressing needs, using
gestures or pointing instead of words, repetitive speech, tantrums, likes
being alone, Spins or lines up objects, little or no eye contact.
For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which
may throw their senses off they may be over or under active. The fuzz on
the peach may actually be experienced as painful and the smell may make
the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to
sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many
professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors, like the ones
listed above, are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.
There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to
popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be
less often or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism
can develop good functional language and others can develop some type
of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children
do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops
and receives treatment.
10-17 percent per year. At this rate, it is estimated that autism could
affect 4 million Americans in the next decade. Today 1 in 150 children
are diagnosed with autism, or 1 in 94 boys, since boys are affected 4
times more than girls making it more common than pediatric cancer,
diabetes and aids combined.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during
the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder
that impacts development in the areas of social interaction and
communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show
difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and
leisure or play activities. This is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By
learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many
specialized intervention programs. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social
boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect
any family, and any child.
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that
it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Researchers
are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity,
genetics and medical problems. It appears that some children are born
with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a
single "trigger" that causes autism to develop. There is no known cure at
this time.
Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a
unique personality and combination of characteristics and may act
completely different from one another and have varying capabilities. It is
more important to understand that children with autism can learn and
function normally and show improvement with appropriate treatment and
education. People with autism also process and respond to information in
unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior
may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit some or all of the
following traits: resistant to change, Difficulty in expressing needs, using
gestures or pointing instead of words, repetitive speech, tantrums, likes
being alone, Spins or lines up objects, little or no eye contact.
For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which
may throw their senses off they may be over or under active. The fuzz on
the peach may actually be experienced as painful and the smell may make
the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to
sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many
professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors, like the ones
listed above, are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.
There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to
popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be
less often or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism
can develop good functional language and others can develop some type
of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children
do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops
and receives treatment.
