Autism Health Information

Top : Disabilities : Autism



Autism is a developmental disorder of brain function. It causes problems with social interaction and communication. Generally autism affects three crucial areas of development:

1. communication, both verbal (spoken) and nonverbal (unspoken)

2. social interactions with other people, both physical (such as hugging or holding) and verbal (such as having a

3. creative or imaginative play : routines or repetitive behaviors, like repeating words or actions over and over

Autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial.

Causes of Autism:

No one knows the exact cause or causes, but there are some theories that errors in genes make people more likely to develop it. Scientists think autism has its beginnings before a person is even born.

Symptoms of Autism:

Symptoms of autism usually can be found by parents and a child’s doctor by 18 months of age. A formal diagnosis is usually made when a child is between two and three years old, when he or she has a noticeable delay in developing language skills. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:
  • Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
  • Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words
  • Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
  • Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
  • Preference to being alone; aloof manner
  • Tantrums
  • Difficulty in mixing with others
  • Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
  • Little or no eye contact
  • Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
  • Sustained odd play
  • Spinning objects
  • Obsessive attachment to objects
  • Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
  • No real fears of danger
  • Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
  • Uneven gross/fine motor skills
  • Non responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.

Cures / Preventions for Autism:

Currently, there is no cure for autism. But, there are a number of treatments that can help people with autism and their families lead more normal lives.

Treatment for Autism:

Treatment approaches are evolving as more is learned about autism. There are many therapeutic programs, both conventional and complementary, that focus on replacing dysfunctional behaviors and developing specific skills. Some types of treatment include:
  • auditory training
  • discrete trial training
  • vitamin therapy
  • anti-yeast therapy
  • facilitated communication
  • music therapy
  • occupational therapy
  • physical therapy
  • sensory integration

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