| Autism disorder, also called autistic disorder or | | | | of unique learning needs that must be tailored to |
| simply autism, is not a disease but rather a | | | | them individually, making no one strategy the |
| developmental disability affecting the brain that | | | | most effective for every single child diagnosed |
| usually always manifests itself by the age of | | | | with the disorder. Also, treatments must vary and |
| three. | | | | be adapted to the changing needs of the child as |
| Autism is considered to be a pervasive | | | | they grow older. |
| developmental disorder (PDD) and it is estimated | | | | A structured and specialized treatment program |
| that some form of the condition affects as many | | | | that addresses the child's capabilities should include |
| as six to eight of every 1,000 children today. | | | | methods of improving communication and social |
| There is no one set of symptoms or behaviors | | | | skills along with implementing the best means of |
| typical of all people with autism as the condition | | | | facilitating learning and development. |
| can cause a vast spectrum of symptoms ranging | | | | Several types of behavioral training are used as |
| from the mild to the severe. | | | | autism therapies including the commonly used |
| Autism is four times more likely to affect males | | | | ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as |
| than females, for reasons still unknown, and the | | | | specialized therapies involving separate |
| condition knows no social, racial, or ethnic | | | | components for occupational, physical, and speech |
| boundaries. | | | | therapy, and of course, medication when |
| Some different types of autism include | | | | necessary. |
| Asperger's syndrome in which language skills aren't | | | | ABA programs will address aspects of improving |
| affected but social problems abound, and Rett | | | | communication and social skills along with |
| Syndrome, a form of autism that only affects | | | | advancing academic development by setting small, |
| females who seem to develop normally but then | | | | attainable goals. Children will work extensively with |
| lose their social skills and communicative abilities | | | | a therapist who has been highly trained in the |
| before replacing normal hand movements with | | | | world of autism and the therapy has been shown |
| repetitive ones. | | | | to be most effective when it begins with children |
| Children with autism aren't able to interact socially | | | | under five, although older children will still benefit. |
| with their peers, including their own parents and | | | | Ongoing training for parents and caregivers along |
| family, and have limited communication skills. | | | | with support from the community, friends and |
| Autistic children often demonstrate some type of | | | | family are also imperative when dealing with |
| repetitive behavior whether it's rocking back and | | | | autism disorder. |
| forth or saying the same phrase repeatedly. | | | | There are also a number of alternative therapies |
| Some are preoccupied with certain objects, | | | | to consider, however, be sure to research any |
| usually those that move or have lights to capture | | | | treatments or therapies thoroughly and seek the |
| their attention | | | | advice and recommendation of your doctor |
| Effectively Dealing with Autism Disorder | | | | before proceeding. |
| Despite the increasing number of children | | | | Unfortunately, there are no preventative |
| diagnosed with autism every year, the number of | | | | measures known as of yet that will reduce the |
| viable treatments also expands as different | | | | likelihood of a child developing an autism disorder, |
| methods and strategies are proven to be | | | | nor a means to initially gauge the severity of their |
| successful. Currently the American Academy of | | | | condition. However, with plenty of support and |
| Pediatrics recommends a few different strategies, | | | | knowledge on the subject, families touched by |
| each with many facets to them, for treating | | | | autism disorder will have a far easier time dealing |
| autism disorder and improving function. | | | | with the condition and its possible ramifications. |
| A child affected by autism will have their own set | | | | |