| Recent studies performed by the Institute For | | | | While there is not a cure, autism like almost any |
| People With Disabilities in New York have shown | | | | other affliction, is best treated when it can be |
| that the previous frequency which had been | | | | diagnosed as early as possible. Parents need to be |
| accepted for many years is now on the low side. | | | | aware of the symptoms of autism and not be |
| The previous frequency figures were that 1 in | | | | afraid to have their child examined by a medical |
| every 166 children had autism to some degree, | | | | professional who is familiar with autism and its |
| but these studies now indicate that the figure is | | | | symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, there is a |
| closer to 1 in 150. | | | | broad array of possible treatments, ranging from |
| There are many possible explanations for this | | | | medications to simple early intervention services. |
| increase. One group suggests that as we are | | | | One problem is that a very young child does not |
| starting to understand autism better, the definition | | | | yet have a sense of what is normal, so the child |
| of what autism is has been expanded, and now | | | | may not be aware that something is wrong, |
| includes children that would not have been included | | | | making it even more critical that parents are |
| in the statistics. But even with this broadened | | | | aware of the symptoms of autism and can be |
| definition, many of the children who are now part | | | | watching for it. |
| of that statistic have a very mild form of autism, | | | | Some recent studies have pointed to oxytocin |
| where it is questionable as to whether or not the | | | | playing a major role in autism. This is a hormone |
| line has been crossed from very mild autism or | | | | that is produced by the pituitary gland, which |
| simply a standard case of Aspergers Syndrome. | | | | appears to play a major role with respect to |
| The root cause of autism or Aspergers is still | | | | social behavior. Studies are being done to see the |
| unknown and there is no conclusive scientific | | | | effects of administering oxytocin in various forms, |
| evidence to indicate that there is something very | | | | including intravenously. |
| specific that can be linked to causing it. Some | | | | With the reported number of diagnosed cases of |
| thoughts are that there is something in these | | | | autism growing, more and more studies are being |
| children which predisposes them to autism, and | | | | funded to determine the root cause of it. But the |
| something happens early in their life which triggers | | | | best defense at this point in time is being aware |
| it. Some thoughts indicate the possibility of a viral | | | | of the symptoms of autism and Aspergers, and if |
| illness, similar to children who are diagnosed with | | | | those symptoms are showing, to get an early |
| diabetes at an early age. | | | | diagnosis. |