Autism

What is Autism?
Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before age 3. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. They also display repetitive behaviors (such as hand flapping, spinning objects, etc) Autism can range from mild to severe. Autism is found at all IQ levels, from below average intelligence to genius levels. However, general learning difficulties (or intellectual handicaps) commonly accompany autism - about 50% of the time.

What Autism is not

Autism is not caused by bad parenting or neglect. Autism is not confined to children, i.e. children with autism do not grow out of autism. Autism lasts throughout life. However, behavioral changes do occur with increasing age. Individuals with Autism do not necessarily have special or savant skills. Some individuals with Autism do have unusual drawing abilities, musical talents, exceptional rote-memory or even lightning-speed mathematical calculation. However, these cases are in the minority (about 10%) rather than being the norm.

Diagnosis of Autism
To receive a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, individuals will have to demonstrate deficits in four areas; (1) social communication and social interaction patterns including deficits in social-emotional reciprocity (2) nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction (3) in the development and maintenance of developmentally appropriate relationships. (4)The fourth category, restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities requires that an individual manifests a minimum of two symptoms that may include stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects, excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior or excessive resistance to change, highly restricted, fixated interests of abnormal intensity or focus, and hyper activity or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment.

Autism from Parents Perspective

Autism to me is a child struggling to understand the world around them. They are trying to understand their surroundings, the nonverbal and verbal communication and social interactions that we take for granted. Autism is all consuming, you have to change your whole routine based on what your child needs for every situation.
Nicole S- mother of a 7 year old son with autism

Autism does not define my child, it is just another descriptor to describe him, just like him being African-American. When you first receive the diagnosis of autism, you look at your child as autistic and that is all you think of and you tend to not think of him or her as a person. It took me some time to come to the realization that Autism is not my child.
Stacey J- mother of a 20 year old son

Autism Statistics
Autism is diagnosed 4 times more in boys than girls. Its prevalence is not affected by race, region, or socioeconomic status.
Since the 1st diagnosis in the U.S., the incidence has climbed to an alarming 1 in 88 children in the U.S. About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood. Autism itself does not affect life expectancy, however research has shown that the mortality risk among individuals with autism is twice as high as the general population, in large part due to drowning and other accidents.

Cures & Causes of Autism

Currently there is no cure for autism, but with Early Intervention , the symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome. Causes of Autism is still debatable. According to officials at the United institutes of Health, while there is most likely a genetic preposition, there must also be an environmental component to autism. The rapid rise in the rate of autism over the last 20 years cannot be attributed solely to genetics. Other factors of concern that may cause or trigger autism that are currently being researched are: vaccinations (one of the hot topics at this time), pesticide exposure, parental age, pharmaceuticals, freeway proximity, and limited prenatal vitamin intake

Signs of Autism
No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or after No back and forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or after No babbling by 12 months No gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye) by 12 months

No words by 16 months
No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age

Citations
Autism Addressing the Challenges of Autism: Research Findings and Promising Practices. (n.d.). Case Study . Retrieved October 14, 2013, from www.emstac.org/registered/topics/autism/ca Autism Society; http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/contact-us.html Byrnes, M. (2002). Taking sides. Guilford, Conn.: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin Gabriels, R. L., Hill, D. E., Pierce, R. A., Rogers, S. J., & Wehner, B. ((2001). Predictors of treatment outcome in young children with autism. Goldstein, S. (2013). Interventions for autism spectrum disorders translating science into practice. New York, NY: Springer. National Autism Association 2013; www.nationalautismassociation.org Matson, J. L. (2009). Applied behavior analysis for children with autism spectrum disorders. New York: Springer. Simpson, R. (2001). ABA and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues and Considerations for Effective Practice. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 12(2), 68-71. Stichter, J. P., Randolph, J., Gage, N., & Schmidt, C. (2007). A Review of Recommended Social Competency Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Exceptionality, 15(4), 219-232. doi:10.1080/09362830701655758