What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It is a physical condition caused by abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain (PubMed Health, 2012). Although autism affects the development of children during the first three years of life, it is commonly categorized as a behavioral disorder caused by the neurological injury. Although commonly, when we think of an autistic disorder we think of autism, autism is one of many disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism, Atypical Autism (PDD-NOS), Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett Syndrome all fall within this family of disorders. In this category of disorders, they all have major qualities in common with each other. All children have extreme social impairment, communication impairment, and repetitive behavioral lifestyles. Autism, like many other disorders, vary from person to person in a variety of different ways. Social interaction, mental capability, and communication is very much affected by the disorder due to the onset of lack of mental functions. In addition, anxiety is highly prevalent in people who are diagnosed with high functioning cases of autism.
What are the symptoms?
Some of the common symptoms of Autism are characterized by impaired communication skills, excessive stiffness, and emotional detachment. Autism Speaks, a foundation established to help families of those who have a child diagnosed with autism listed the following symptoms as red flags, indicating the possible onset of autism (Autism Speaks Inc.):
These symptoms, by no way, indicate that a child has autism for sure, but these are warning signs that are common between many different children that have been diagnosed with autism. Doctors commonly diagnose children with autism within the first three years of life since the symptoms are seen around that time.
Who does Autism affect?
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and it now affects 1 out of 88 children and 1 out of 4 boys. More children are diagnosed with autism annually than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes together. (AutismSpeaks.org)
Is there a cure?
There is currently no cure available for Autism but there are many different treatments and medicines to help ease the symptoms. Paying close attention to early signs of development or the lack of can always increase chances of detecting Autism at an early stage.
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It is a physical condition caused by abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain (PubMed Health, 2012). Although autism affects the development of children during the first three years of life, it is commonly categorized as a behavioral disorder caused by the neurological injury. Although commonly, when we think of an autistic disorder we think of autism, autism is one of many disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism, Atypical Autism (PDD-NOS), Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett Syndrome all fall within this family of disorders. In this category of disorders, they all have major qualities in common with each other. All children have extreme social impairment, communication impairment, and repetitive behavioral lifestyles. Autism, like many other disorders, vary from person to person in a variety of different ways. Social interaction, mental capability, and communication is very much affected by the disorder due to the onset of lack of mental functions. In addition, anxiety is highly prevalent in people who are diagnosed with high functioning cases of autism.
What are the symptoms?
Some of the common symptoms of Autism are characterized by impaired communication skills, excessive stiffness, and emotional detachment. Autism Speaks, a foundation established to help families of those who have a child diagnosed with autism listed the following symptoms as red flags, indicating the possible onset of autism (Autism Speaks Inc.):
- No joyful expressions by six months of age and older
- No sharing of sounds back-and-forth by the age of nine months.
- No babbling or gestures back-and-forth by 12 months
- The child cannot form words by the age of 16 months
- Excessive loss of speech at any age
These symptoms, by no way, indicate that a child has autism for sure, but these are warning signs that are common between many different children that have been diagnosed with autism. Doctors commonly diagnose children with autism within the first three years of life since the symptoms are seen around that time.
Who does Autism affect?
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and it now affects 1 out of 88 children and 1 out of 4 boys. More children are diagnosed with autism annually than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes together. (AutismSpeaks.org)
Is there a cure?
There is currently no cure available for Autism but there are many different treatments and medicines to help ease the symptoms. Paying close attention to early signs of development or the lack of can always increase chances of detecting Autism at an early stage.