About Autism


What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that results from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It typically appears during the first three years of life, and impacts development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is called a “spectrum disorder,” because it affects people differently and at varying degrees. Since specialized intervention programs exist to treat Autism, and since those programs are generally most effective when started early in life, early diagnosis is crucial.

What causes Autism?

Autism is generally thought to be caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. There is no consensus, however, on what causes these abnormalities. Causes including heredity, genetics and medical problems have been put forth by a variety of experts. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers feel that certain sequences of genetic code may be a causal factor. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single "trigger" that causes autism to develop.

Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.

Autism tends to occur more frequently in individuals with such medical conditions as including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). There may also be a correlation between the ingestion of certain harmful substances during pregnancy, but the research on this has been limited, and has not been verified on a larger scale.

The relationship between vaccines and autism has also been called into question. While, again, a causative link could not be definitively established, it’s widely acknowledged that it also cannot be ruled out.

How is autism diagnosed?

There is no “autism test.” Instead, diagnosis is based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior, and development. This can be complicated by the fact that many behaviors associated with autism are common to other disorders. For this reason, medical tests may be ordered to rule out or identify other possible causes of the symptoms shown by the subject. It is important to distinguish autism from these other conditions because an early, accurate diagnosis may provide the basis for building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment program.

Furthermore, this diagnosis cannot be affected by a brief observation in a single setting. Multiple evaluations over a longer term are needed to ascertain an individual's abilities and behaviors. Parents’ and caregivers’ observations are also crucial in making an accurate diagnosis.

What treatment options are available?

Discovering that your child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-changing event. Whether the diagnosis comes as a surprise, or merely confirms lingering suspicions, the diagnosis brings with it a plethora of questions regarding how best to proceed.

It isn’t that long ago that many people with autism were institutionalized.  But as knowledge and research have advanced, the ignorance and fear of autism have receded. There are vastly improved services and support systems, and much more information available—a stock of knowledge that is being added to nearly on a daily basis. Rather than being shut away, children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have grown and flourished in their own time.

There is, presently, no cure for autism. But there are options for treatment and education that make the condition much easier to deal with. Whether in the home or in the classroom, the skills and knowledge are available to help those with ASDs integrate into the larger society. But, as one might expect with a disorder with such a wide range of symptoms and behaviors, there is no single treatment that will work in all cases. The goal, in any event, is to help individuals to function at the peak of their potential, and even to use the positive aspects of their condition to their benefit. This is best done when treatment begins early, and is tailored to what makes each child unique.

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

In the 1940s, Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician, observed symptoms similar to autism in boys with otherwise normal intelligence and language development. What became known as Asperger’s Syndrome is still viewed by some to be merely a less-severe form of autism, and describe those with Asperger’s as “high-functioning” autistics. Nonetheless, Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism.

What makes Asperger's Disorder different from autism is the lesser symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's often have good language and cognitive abilities. In fact, there’s often little to distinguish those with Asperger’s from the general population.

People with Asperger's Disorder may seem aloof, but this isn’t the case. Generally, it’s not a desire to remain apart from others, so much as a lack of understanding of social structures and mores. They may inadvertently “break the rules” socially, or may not use social signifiers (gestures, affection and the like) in the same way that most people would.

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?

The term "PDD" (for Pervasive Developmental Disorders) is a widely-used professional term for children with autism and related disorders. Diagnosis of disorders falling under the PDD umbrella is based upon the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), which is the main diagnostic reference of Mental Health professionals in the United States . It should be noted that PDD is not a diagnosis, but rather the group to which a specific category of neurological disorders belongs.