Autism was first described in the early 1940s by two doctors who were working independently of each other. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition that causes developmental disability. Autism is a spectrum disorder, defined by certain behaviours which come in combinations and in degrees of intensity that vary in each child and adult affected. Facts and studies show that signs of autism are usually present by three years of age and it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls. This is a life-long brain disorder that is normally diagnosed in early childhood. A professional screening enables a physician to target the three core areas of the disorder through a combination of observation and interaction. Autism is not an illness or a disease. Many children have below-normal intelligence. Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It is considered to be at epidemic proportions internationally, occurring at 1:110-150 people, with rates increasing. Children with autism are less able to interact with the world as other children do. Children with autism appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. Children with an autistic disorder usually have elevated blood lead levels. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Children sometimes have impaired hearing in addition to autism. Children with autism might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. This is treatable and recovery possible (at least in some children). More and more parents are wondering whether they're likely to have a child with autism. There are separate labels given to children with this for different points on the Autism spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum you may find labels such as "Autism", "Classic Autism" and "Kanner Autism". When your child has been evaluated and diagnosed with a spectrum disorder, you may feel inadequate to help your child develop to the fullest extent of his or her ability.Parents are urged to seek professional advice and not to self-diagnose the disorder in their children. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that became known as Asperger syndrome. The pervasive developmental disorders, or autism spectrum disorders, range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, to a milder form called Asperger syndrome. No guarantees can be made regarding the accuracy of information and it should not be used as a basis for any medical, behavioral or cognitive interventions. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. Each child will display communication, social, and behavioral patterns that are individual but fit into the overall diagnosis of ASD. For some, the sadness that comes with such realization motivates them to learn new behavior and acquire better social skills. Nevertheless, communication and social problems often cause difficulties in many areas of life. The warning emphasizes that children, adolescents and young adults taking antidepressants should be closely monitored especially during the initial weeks of treatment, for any worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. Research has shown that parents are usually correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not realize the specific nature or degree of the problem. Research into the causes of autism spectrum disorders is being fueled by other recent developments. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. This is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interaction and communications skills (DSM-IV-TR). Autism is no longer considered a heritable, genetic disorder. However, given the relationship between speech development and prognosis, aggressively pursuing verbal communication skills is highly recommended for young children with Autism/PDD-NOS. In the past, the majority of individuals with Autism lived in institutional care as adults. However, because communication skills are an integral part of what most people consider intelligence, the problems people with autism show in this area may affect their ability to perform on standardized intelligence tests. Some of the key differences between Autism and Asperger syndrome are that the individual could not have had a clinically significant language delay. (although unusual patterns of communication and impaired nonverbal communication is generally present), and the individual must function within average to above average intellectual (cognitive) levels.
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