What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs during the first two or three years of their child's life. These signs often develop gradually, though some children with autism reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace before worsening.

Autism is associated with a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors during pregnancy include certain infections, such as rubella, and toxins including valproic acid, alcohol, cocaine, pesticides and air pollution. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes; for example, the vaccine hypotheses, which have been disproven.

Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. Autism and less severe forms of the condition, including Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), have been combined into the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early speech or behavioral interventions can help children with autism gain self-care, social, and communication skills.

Although there is no known cure, there have been cases of children who recovered. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some are successful. An autistic culture has developed, with some individuals seeking a cure and others believing autism should be accepted as a difference and not treated as a disorder. Globally, autism is estimated to affect ___ million people as of 20__. In the _____, the number of people affected was estimated at ___ per 1,000 people worldwide. In the developed countries, about 1.5% of children are diagnosed with ASD as of 2017, more than doubling from 0.7% in 2000 in the United States. It occurs four-to-five times more often in boys than girls. The number of people diagnosed has increased dramatically since the 1960s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual rates have increased is unresolved.

Autism Spectrum

Autism spectrum, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a range of neurodevelopment disorders that includes autism, Asperger syndrome and other related conditions. Individuals on the spectrum are often hyper sensitive to sensory stimuli, and present with two types of symptoms: problems in social communication and social interaction; and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. Long term issues may include difficulties in performing daily tasks, creating and keeping relationships, and maintaining a job.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms, which are typically recognized between one and two years of age. The cause of autism spectrum is uncertain, but risk factors include having an older parent, a family history of autism, and genetics. In 2018 it was discovered that somewhere between 74% and 93% of ASD risk is heritable.

The term "spectrum" can refer to both a range of both symptoms, and their severity, leading to a distinction between severely disabled autistics who cannot speak or look after themselves, and "higher functioning" autistics. The autism rights movement, encourages society to adopt a tolerance for neurodiversity by accepting spectrum autism as a variation in normal human functioning, rather than a "disorder" to be "cured".

Medical treatment efforts are generally individualized, and can include behavioral therapy, and the teaching of coping skills. Medications may also be used to try to help improve symptoms, but there is little evidence to support their effectiveness. Higher functioning autistics can reduce their experience of symptoms by learning to adapt to what are uncomfortable or difficult environments for them. Autism spectrum is estimated to affect about ___% of people (62.2 million globally as of 20__). Males are diagnosed more often than females.

Types of Treatment

There are many different types of treatments available. For example, auditory training, discrete trial training, vitamin therapy, anti-yeast therapy, facilitated communication, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and sensory integration.

The different types of treatments can generally be broken down into the following categories:

Behavior and Communication Approaches
Dietary Approaches
Medication
Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Resources

Handleman, J.S., Harris, S., eds. Preschool Education Programs for Children with Autism (2nd ed). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. 2000.

National Research Council. Educating Children with Autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.

Gupta, Vidya Bhushan. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. New York Medical College and Columbia University, 2004. Pediatric Habilitation, volume 12.

Levy, S. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Children Recently Diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, December 2003; vol 24: pp 418-423. News release, Health Behavior News Service.

References

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What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum

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Types of Treatment

Resources

References