Autism
Did You Know?
- Autism affects 4 to 5 times more males than females. Recent estimates suggest that 1 in 500 children display some sort of autism.
- Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability, with a 10 - 17% annual growth rate.
- About 10% of those with autism possess extraordinary skills in the areas of music, art, mathematics or memory.
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Individuals with autistic disorder are often poorly understood by others because of impaired “social cognition,” which means they have difficulty observing social rules, participating in social routines or understanding and expressing emotions. More information about autism is available in the Research and Clinical/Treatment sections.
About Autistic Disorder
The symptoms of autism vary from individual to individual, but people with autistic disorder tend to have trouble with social interaction and communication and a limited repertoire of activities and interests.
A thorough evaluation by a licensed professional is important for a diagnosis of autistic disorder. This evaluation should include social and communication, cognitive and behavioral assessments of the child as well as complete medical and psychological background questionnaires for the family.
Symptoms of autism appear before the age of three and might include:
- Delayed speech or total lack of spoken language or, if normal speech is present, an impaired ability to initiate or sustain conversation.
- Difficulty with nonverbal behaviors such as making eye contact and interpreting facial expressions and body postures.
- Poor peer relationships. For example, children often choose to play with objects over other children.
- Reduced ability to spontaneously share enjoyment, interests or achievements with others.
- Impaired ability to reciprocate or respond to social or emotional gestures. For example, people with autism might not return greetings or understand when another person is upset.
- Preoccupation with one or more limited interests.
- Tics or repetitive mannerisms such as clapping or finger flicking.
Treatment
There is no cure for autism at this time but early intervention can help reduce the challenges of the disorder. Treatment depends on the individual, is life-long and may include medication, dietary and behavior modifications, and communication therapy.
Links and Resources
Additional information can be found at the following websites:
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