what is autisum? Are there symptoms in children as young as 4yrs?

Answer 1

"Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior." Wikipedia

As to age, it used to be mostly very young children who were diagnosed with autism, but now it has become something of a catch-all diagnosis, and kids of all ages get the label. The way I learned it in college, it meant a child who did not seem to grasp that other people were people, and instead treated them rather like objects. They are very self-contained, which may be withdrawn or simply uninvolved with others. Still, it seems there are mental health workers who can bring them out, get them interacting to some extent, and (perhaps more to the point) get their parents to appreciate their personalities and adapt to them.

Answer 2

Symptoms of autism have been diagnosed as early as 18 mths. Dr's and pediatricians often will not diagnose it until around age 3 due to the fact that different children develop at different ages. If you believe your child may be autistic TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. If he blows you off seek a 2nd opinion. Don't give up. The longer you wait for a diagnosis, it becomes that much harder to deal with.
Autism is basically a general diagnosis to a very complex disorder. It has a wide spectrum of degrees. I have done home health care for individuals who were mildly autistic, and i have a severly autistic 6 year old stepson and his DD twin. Autism primarily affects an individual's ability to communicate. J is nonverbal. B we have a hard time keeping quiet. Some have no problem talking, they just cannot perceive what anyone else's feelings/reactions to something they say. B had a hard time communicating what he wanted. If he wanted to eat, he would repeat a commercial from tv regarding food. If he wanted to play games, he would say EA SPORTS its in the game" Some are very self centered-not arrogant way-just that they discuss all that goes on with them to anybody they talk to. They have a hard time understanding the boundaries and rules of communication.
Schedules are EXTREMELY important when dealing with autistic children. They feel more calm and safe knowing that at 645 its bathtime, 730 storytime, 8 bedtime etc. Keeping a strict routine can really help alleviate much of the stress and behaviors.
Key "symptoms" to watch for are limited/no social interaction, child refuses to look into your eyes, also watch physical milestones from baby on up(smiling, cooing, laughing, walking, fine motor skills, talking). Hope this has been helpful!!!

Answer 3

Autism can definitely be seen in 4-year-olds. Most of the time, the child appears to develop "normally" for the first year to 3 years, and then starts to regress in communication and social skills. Some forms of Autism, such as Rett's, also involve severe regression in intelligence and physical health.

Here are some good sites for you to look at:

http://www.spedusource.org/AutisticSpectrumDisorders.html

http://www.autismweb.com/

Answer 4

Autism is a brain disorder that often interferes with a person's ability to communicate with and relate to others.

Signs of autism almost always develop before a child is 3 years old, although the condition is sometimes not diagnosed until later. Typically, parents first become concerned when they notice that their toddler does not begin to talk or does not respond and interact like other children of the same age. Toddlers with autism do not usually develop speech normally and may seem to be deaf although hearing tests are normal.

Autism also affects how a child perceives and processes sensory information.

The severity of autism varies. Some individuals need assistance in almost all aspects of their daily lives, while others are able to function at a very high level and can even attend school in a regular classroom. While this is a lifelong condition that typically results in some degree of social isolation, treatment can make a major difference in the lives of people with autism. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment has resulted in increasing numbers of people with autism being able to live independently as adults..

What causes autism?

Autism tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Because people with autism can be vastly different, scientists suspect a number of genes are responsible. Ongoing research is targeted at pinpointing these genes. Some experts also believe that environmental factors may play a part in causing autism, although scientists have studied several factors, including vaccines, and have yet to identify such a cause.

Brain scans of people with autism have shown abnormalities in several areas of the brain, including those responsible for emotion and social relations. Other studies suggest that people with autism have high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical that sends messages in the brain. However, these findings are preliminary, and ongoing studies seek to explain the brain and autism. 1

What are the symptoms?

All people with autism have difficulty with social interactions and relationships. Parents often describe their child with autism as preferring to play alone and making little eye contact with other people. Other symptoms of autism include:

Difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication. Language development in children with autism is almost always delayed.
Limited, repetitive, and overused (stereotyped) patterns of behavior, interests, and play. Many typical behaviors—such as repetitive body rocking, unusual attachments to objects, and holding fast to routines and rituals—are driven by the need for sameness and resistance to change.
There is no “typical” person with autism. Although autism is defined by the above characteristics, people with autism can have many different combinations of behaviors in mild to severe forms.

Do any other conditions occur with autism?

Although it is difficult to determine, studies show that below-normal intelligence occurs in about 70% of children with autism. 2 Teenagers with autism often become depressed and have increased anxiety, especially if they have average or above-average intelligence. In addition, about a third of children with autism develop a seizure disorder (such as epilepsy) by their teen years. 3

How is autism diagnosed?

Your health professional will use diagnostic guidelines, established by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), to determine whether your child has core symptoms. 4 A child may also have hearing and other tests to make sure developmental delays aren't the result of another condition with similar symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of autism is important to make the most of the child's potential.

How is it treated?

Behavioral training, speech and occupational therapy, and parent education and support can often improve a child's problem behaviors, communication skills, and socialization. Medications are sometimes helpful as well. A child with autism responds best to a highly structured, specialized educational program tailored to his or her individual needs. However, specific treatment varies depending on the range of individual symptoms, which can combine in many different ways and change over time.

Parents, school staff, and health professionals are usually all involved in planning a child's treatment.