| Autism is a bioneurological disorder characterized | | | | rigidity in his reaction to the world around him. He |
| by a profound lack of social interaction and | | | | often has a set of rituals he has created in order |
| language skills. Its more common signs are | | | | to deal with his reality. Any deviation from the |
| repetitive motions, ritualistic behaviors that have | | | | rituals or change in his environment can send him |
| meaning only for the person with autism, and | | | | into a tantrum, a very strong indicator to parents |
| emotional outbursts. | | | | that something is wrong with their child. |
| Diagnosing autism -- its signs, symptoms, and | | | | Diagnosing autism -- its signs, symptoms, and |
| treatments --becomes possible within the first | | | | treatments -- is not a simple case of "is-is not." |
| three years of life. | | | | Symptoms vary widely, so diagnosing autism is |
| The first symptoms parents usually notice often | | | | often a challenge. The variability makes it |
| become apparent in infancy. The child fails to | | | | necessary to custom-tailor a treatment plan for |
| make spontaneous eye contact or actively avoids | | | | each patient. Treatments will need to be applied |
| it. He does not respond to his name when it's | | | | throughout the lifespan of the autistic person, |
| spoken aloud and reactions to social stimuli are | | | | becoming a part of his daily routine. |
| absent. A prime example of this is not mirroring | | | | Occupational and physical therapy are often used |
| nonverbal cues like returning a smile when | | | | in the treatment of autism with good results. |
| someone smiles at him. Many people with autism, | | | | Occupation therapy provides training in the |
| but not all, exhibit a "deadpan" expression. Parents | | | | activities of daily living like personal grooming and |
| may also notice the child not asking verbally for | | | | dressing. Physical therapy relaxes tense muscles, |
| something he wants. Instead he is more likely to | | | | allowing the release of pent-up emotions. |
| point or use gestures to symbolize his wants. | | | | Applied behavior analysis deals with the emotional |
| This disconnection from the people around him | | | | outbursts and rigidity and thus aids in socialization. |
| leads the autistic child to show little interest in | | | | Recently, there has been success in nutritional |
| them. This, in turn, means he makes no effort to | | | | assessment and supplementation in the treatment |
| engage them by pointing out things they like or | | | | of autism. The avoidance of casein and some |
| are interested in and doesn't understand their | | | | grains, along with dietary supplementation of |
| emotional responses. | | | | vitamins A, the B complex, and D show some |
| The child with autism displays a large amount of | | | | promise in controlling symptoms. |