Autism

**Autism**

**Overview** ====__Definition:__ Autism is a developmental disorder present from early childhood, and characterized by great difficulty in forming relationships and communicating, and in using general concepts and language. ====

One out of every 110 children have Autism and boys are more likely to be autistic than girls.
Autism is one of five disorders in the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Asperger's Disorder is also one of these disorders, and is usually considered a high-functioning form of Autism despite the fact that it was declared completely distinct from Autism in 1994. The difference between Autism and Asperger's is that in people with Autism there is a delay in the development of language, while in Asperger's there is not. People with Asperger's also tend to have a higher IQ than people with Autism.

**Signs and Symptoms**
 * Developmental problems or delays with communication skills (verbal and nonverbal)
 * Issues with making friends
 * Lack of enjoyment, empathy, interests, and/or achievements
 * Repetitive language (echolalia)
 * Difficulties in listening and understanding [[image:autistic_child.jpg width="225" height="165" align="right"]]
 * Unusual focus on specific things
 * Need for routines
 * Unusual behaviors
 * Aversion to touch
 * Doesn't make eye contact
 * Cannot interpret body language
 * A singsong or flat and robotic voice
 * Excessive anxiety
 * Frequent outbursts or tantrums
 * Hightened senses such as hearing, tasting or smelling
 * Insensitive to pain and temperature
 * Constantly moving/Hyperactivity
 * Trouble with motorskills
 * May have epileptic seizures, especially during adolescence
 * May be incredibly gifted in a certain skill
 * Depression


 * Can sometimes be misdiagnosed as OCD or ADHD

It is unknown what exactly causes Autism because there is no biological marker. However, doctors suspect it has to do with genetic and environmental factors.
 * Causes **

The genetic disorder Tuberous Sclerosis, a disorder that has tube-like tumors growing on the brain, increases the risk of Autism. So does fetal exposure to Rubella, having the disorder Fragile X syndrome. Not only that, but having a sibling with Autism increases the chance of having Autism.

People with Autism usually have five brain abnormalities:
 * The Amygdala (part of the brain in charge of emotion and socially interaction) is small
 * The Hippocampus (part of the brain for learning and memory) is small
 * The Cerebellum (part of the brain involved with motor functions) is small
 * There are fewer connections bectween cell groups that have to do with cognitive functions
 * Hormone neuronal growth factor amounts are high, creating the possibility that nerve cell growth is disordered


 * General Public Perception **

**The general public can be very judgmental when it comes to autism. People may blame the parents of a child with autism for their behaviors or blame the child for acting unusually. Also, the public may see people with autism as different and weird. But there is part of the general public that is supportive and understanding of this disorder. A group called Autism Awareness helps the public understand what is going on in the mind of an autistic person. This helps educate people and show them that the behaviors of an autistic individual are not on purpose.**

**In a group study of ten people who knew nothing about Autism in 2010, the majority of them called Autism a "deviation from normal child development." The people referred to it as either a mental disability or a mental illness. They described the symptoms as odd behavior such as not fitting in, being unable to love, and not knowing when to be quiet. They also said that these behaviors were beyond the control of the person with Autism. Furthermore, they falsely claimed that autistics are unable to be independent and will never get a job. This shows that the public may be unaware of Asperger's and other high functioning forms of Autism.**

=** Treatment ﻿ s ** = = =


 * ====== Behavioral training and management ======


 * ======Using positive reinforcement, social skills, and self-help to improve communication and behaviors ======
 * ====== Specialized therapies ======


 * Specific types of therapy such as speech, physical, and occupational
 * Medicine
 * Medicines for problems such as depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity can help reduce those symptoms
 * ======Parent and community training ======
 * ======For support and learning how to take care of a child with Autism ======


 * Links to Other Disorders **
 * Phobias
 * ADHD

> > > >
 * Sources **
 * "Asperger's Disorder." //Diseases and Disorders//. Vol. 1. NY, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2008. 71-72. Print.
 * "Autism." //Diseases and Disorders//. Vol. 1. NY, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2008. 80-82. Print.
 * "Autism Symptoms in Children & Adults - WebMD." //WebMD - Better Information. Better Health.// WebMD, LLC., 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-symptoms>.
 * Astrid. "Lay Perception of Autism Studied." //Astrid's Journal// (2010). Web. 16 Sept. 2011. <http://astridvanwoerkom.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/lay-perception-of-autism-studied/>.