| Definition | | | | May treat others as if they are objects |
| Autism s a complex developmental disorder that | | | | Does not play interactive games |
| appears in the first 3 years of life, although it is | | | | Response to sensory information |
| sometimes diagnosed much later. It affects the | | | | Has heightened or low senses of sight, hearing, |
| brain's normal development of social and | | | | touch, smell, or taste |
| communication skills. | | | | Seems to have a heightened or low response to |
| Common features of autism include impaired | | | | pain |
| social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal | | | | May withdraw from physical contact because it is |
| communication, problems processing information | | | | over stimulating or overwhelming |
| from the senses, and restricted and repetitive | | | | Does not startle at loud noises |
| patterns of behavior. | | | | May find normal noises painful and hold hands over |
| Alternative Names | | | | ears |
| Pervasive developmental disorder - autism | | | | Rubs surfaces, mouths or licks objects |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors | | | | Play |
| Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal | | | | Shows little pretend or imaginative play |
| biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact | | | | Doesn't imitate the actions of others |
| causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, | | | | Prefers solitary or ritualistic play |
| but this is a very active area of research. There | | | | Behaviors |
| are probably a combination of factors that lead to | | | | Has a short attention span |
| autism. | | | | Uses repetitive body movements |
| Genetic factors seem to be important. For | | | | Shows a strong need for sameness |
| example, identical twins are much more likely than | | | | "Acts up" with intense tantrums |
| fraternal twins or siblings to both have autism. | | | | Has very narrow interests |
| Similarly, language abnormalities are more | | | | Demonstrates preservation (gets stuck on a |
| common in relatives of autistic children. | | | | single topic or task) |
| Chromosomal abnormalities and other neurological | | | | Shows aggression to others or self |
| problems are also more common in families with | | | | Is overactive or very passive |
| autism. | | | | Signs and tests |
| A number of other possible causes have been | | | | All children should have routine developmental |
| suspected, but not proven. They involve digestive | | | | exams by their pediatrician. Further testing may |
| tract changes, diet, mercury poisoning, vaccine | | | | be needed if there is concern on the part of the |
| sensitivity, and the body's inefficient use of | | | | clinician or the parents. This is particularly true |
| vitamins and minerals.The exact number of | | | | whenever a child fails to meet any of the |
| children with autism is not known. A report | | | | following language milestones: |
| released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control | | | | Babbling by 12 months |
| and Prevention (CDC) suggests that autism and | | | | Gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye) by 12 |
| related disorders are more common than | | | | months |
| previously thought, although it is unclear if this is | | | | Single words by 16 months |
| due to an increasing rate of the illness or an | | | | Two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months |
| increased ability to diagnose the illness. | | | | (not just echoing) |
| Autism affects boys 3 to 4 times more often | | | | Loss of any language or social skills at any age. |
| than girls. Family income, education, and lifestyle | | | | The other pervasive developmental disorders |
| do not seem to affect the risk of autism. | | | | include: An evaluation of autism will often include a |
| Some parents have heard that the MMR Vaccine | | | | complete physical and Neurological examination. It |
| that children receive may cause autism. This | | | | may also include a specific diagnostic screening |
| theory was based, in part, on two facts. First, the | | | | tool, such as: |
| incidence of autism has increased steadily since | | | | Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) |
| around the same time the MMR vaccine was | | | | Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) |
| introduced. Second, children with the regressive | | | | Childhood Autism rating Scale (CARS) |
| form of autism (a type of autism that develops | | | | Gilliam Autism Rating Scale |
| after a period of normal development) tend to | | | | Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening |
| start to show symptoms around the time the | | | | Test-Stage 3 |
| MMR vaccine is given. This is likely a coincidence | | | | Children with known or suspected autism will |
| due to the age of children at the time they | | | | often have genetic testing (looking for |
| receive this vaccine. | | | | chromosome abnormalities) and perhaps metabolic |
| Several major studies have found NO connection | | | | testing. |
| between the vaccine and autism, however. The | | | | Autism encompasses a broad spectrum of |
| American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center | | | | symptoms. Therefore, a single, brief evaluation |
| for Disease Control and Prevention report that | | | | cannot predict a child's true abilities. Ideally, a team |
| there is no proven link between autism and the | | | | of different specialists will evaluate the child. They |
| MMR vaccine. | | | | might evaluate speech, language, communication, |
| Some doctors attribute the increased incidence in | | | | thinking abilities, motor skills, success at school, |
| autism to newer definitions of autism. The term | | | | and other factors. |
| "autism" now includes a wider spectrum of | | | | Sometimes people are reluctant to have a child |
| children. For example, a child who is diagnosed | | | | diagnosed because of concerns about labeling the |
| with high-functioning autism today may have been | | | | child. However, failure to make a diagnosis can |
| thought to simply be odd or strange 30 years | | | | lead to failure to get the treatment and services |
| ago. | | | | the child needs. |
| Symptoms | | | | Treatment |
| Most parents of autistic children suspect that | | | | An early, intensive, appropriate treatment |
| something is wrong by the time the child is 18 | | | | program will greatly improve the outlook for most |
| months old and seek help by the time the child is | | | | young children with autism. Most programs will |
| 2. Children with autism typically have difficulties in | | | | build on the interests of the child in a highly |
| verbal and nonverbal communication, social | | | | structured schedule of constructive activities. |
| interactions, and pretend play. In some, aggression | | | | Visual aids are often helpful. |
| -- toward others or self -- may be present. | | | | Treatment is most successful when geared |
| Some children with autism appear normal before | | | | toward the child's particular needs. An experienced |
| age 1 or 2 and then suddenly "regress" and lose | | | | specialist or team should design the individualized |
| language or social skills they had previously gained. | | | | program. A variety of effective therapies are |
| This is called the regressive type of autism. | | | | available, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), |
| People with autism may perform repeated body | | | | speech-language therapy, medications, |
| movements, show unusual attachments to | | | | occupational therapy, and physical therapy. |
| objects or have unusual distress when routines | | | | Sensory integration and vision therapy are also |
| are changed. Individuals may also experience | | | | common, but there is little research supporting |
| sensitivities in the senses of sight, hearing, touch, | | | | their effectiveness. The best treatment plan may |
| smell, or taste. Such children, for example, will | | | | use a combination of techniques. |
| refuse to wear "itchy" clothes and become unduly | | | | DIET |
| distressed if forced because of the sensitivity of | | | | Some children with autism appear to respond to a |
| their skin. Some combination of the following | | | | gluten free or a casein-free diet. Gluten is found in |
| areas may be affected in varying degrees. | | | | foods containing wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is |
| Communication | | | | found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. |
| - Lack of pointing to direct others' attention to | | | | Not all experts agree that dietary changes will |
| objects (occurs in the first 14 months of life) | | | | make a difference, and not all reports studying |
| Does not adjust gaze to look at objects that | | | | this method have shown positive results. |
| others are looking at | | | | OTHER APPROACHESBeware that there are |
| Cannot start or sustain a social conversation | | | | widely publicized treatments for autism that do |
| Develops language slowly or not at all | | | | not have scientific support, and reports of |
| Repeats words or memorized passages, such as | | | | "miracle cures" that do not live up to expectations. |
| commercials | | | | If your child has autism, it may be helpful to talk |
| Does not refer to self correctly (for example, | | | | with other parents of children with autism, talk |
| says "you want water" when the child means "I | | | | with autism specialists, and follow the progress of |
| want water") | | | | research in this area, which is rapidly developing. |
| Uses nonsense rhyming Communicates with | | | | At one time, there was enormous excitement |
| gestures instead of words | | | | about using secretin infusions. Now, after many |
| Social interaction | | | | studies have been conducted in many laboratories, |
| Shows a lack of empathy | | | | it's possible that secretin is not effective after all, |
| Does not make friends | | | | but research is. |
| Is withdrawn | | | | ComplicationsAutism can be associated with other |
| Prefers to spend time alone, rather than with | | | | disorders that affect the brain, such as Tuberous |
| others | | | | Sclerosis, Mental retardation or Fragile X |
| May not respond to eye contact or smiles | | | | syndrome. |
| May actually avoid eye contact | | | | Some people with autism will develop Seizures. |