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This information is provided
as a Resource to you by
Autism Speaks.
Autism
is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts
throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders
known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Today,
1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more
common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
It
occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times
more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's
ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated
with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively
arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can
range from very mild to quite severe.
Autism
was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins
Hospital. At the same time, a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger,
described a milder form of the disorder that is now known as
Asperger Syndrome (read
more). These two disorders are listed in
the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
as two of the five developmental disorders that fall under the
Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The
others are Rett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive
Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of
impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by
repetitive behaviors. For more discussion on the range of diagnoses
that comprise Autism Spectrum Disorder,
click here.
Autism Spectrum
Disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3,
although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as
early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice
unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach
appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child
that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who
was developing normally and then lost skills.
Pediatricians
may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will “catch
up,” and may advise parents to “wait and see.” New research shows
that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they
are usually correct.
If you have concerns about your child's
development, don't wait: speak to
your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.
If
your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical
to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Although parents
may have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the
earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin.
Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully
effective treatments, and no cure.
Research
indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate
educational setting for at least two years during the preschool
years can result in significant improvements for many young children
with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed,
early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs
focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.
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