About Autism
Autism - What is it?
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins within the first three years of life. Children with autism have deficits in three main areas: social skills, communications skills, and repetitive or restricted behaviors.
Children with a less severe case may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger's Syndrome (children with Asperger's Syndrome develop speech normally, but they have many "autistic" behavioral and social problems).
It is not known what causes autism, though many research studies are underway that are trying to answer this question. Many previous theories, including poor care by the mother or an emotional trauma, have been ruled out. There are some known conditions that are associated with autism, but these are found in the minority of children that are affected.
For many years autism was rare - occurring in just two to five children per 10,000 live births. It is no longer rare. Since the early 1990's, the rate of autism has increased exponentially around the world with figures as high as 60 per 10,000. Boys outnumber girls four to one. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism. Read statistics.
It used to be thought that there was very little you could do about autism. Fortunately, we now know that there are a wide variety of treatments that can be very helpful. Ideally, children should receive treatment immediately after the onset of the symptoms as those children who receive early intensive intervention often respond much better (though it is never too late to address many of the issues that the children often face).
What to expect from a child with autism?
A child with autism may have a normal or high I.Q. They might be able to attend a regular school and even have a job later in life. However, this person may have difficulty expressing himself and may not know how to mix socially with other people. The functionality of moderately and more seriously affected children with autism can vary tremendously. Some children with autism never develop speech, while others can talk but struggle with using language to communicate. They may have an unusual speech pattern, such as echoing whatever is said to them or repeating a word over and over again. They often use speech to express their needs only, rather than to share feelings or emotions. A child with autism looks just like any other child, but shows distinctive behavior patterns. They may enjoy rocking or spinning their bodies or objects, and might be happy to repeat the same activity for a long period of time. Other behavioral traits may include hyperactivity, sensitivity to certain sounds or touch, and lack of or limited pretend play.
An important thing for parents to remember is that you are not alone in this journey and there are thousands of other families going through it with you. Reach out via this website and the internet to connect with and support each other. Share stories, share what works for you, and let the hands of the teens around the world join together to raise awareness and money to help in the fight to recover children with autism spectrum disorders.
