What is Autism?

Question

please state where you got your answer from

Answer 1

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. While there is disagreement about the magnitude, nature, and mechanisms for such environmental factors, researchers have found seven genes prevalent among individuals diagnosed as autistic. Some estimate that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. However, the National Institute of Mental Health gives a more conservative estimate of one in 1000[1]. For families that already have one autistic child, the odds of a second autistic child may be as high as one in twenty. Although autism is about 3 to 4 times more common in boys, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment. Diagnosis is based on a list of psychiatric criteria, and a series of standardized clinical tests may also be used.

Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological evaluation will typically be part of diagnosing autism. Some now speculate that autism is not a single condition but a group of several distinct conditions that manifest in similar ways. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a link between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress (the result of higher levels of free radicals). The study suggests that, if researchers can find more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvements in therapy could be found[2].

By definition, autism must manifest delays in "social interaction, language as used in social communication, or symbolic or imaginative play," with "onset prior to age 3 years", according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The ICD-10 also requires symptoms to be "manifest before the age of three years." There have been large increases in the reported incidence of autism, for reasons that are heavily debated by researchers in psychology and related fields within the scientific community.

With intense therapy and practice and schooling, some children diagnosed with autism can improve their social and other skills to the point where they can fully participate in mainstream education and social events, but there are no indications that a cure from autism is possible with current technology or advances in medicine. Some autistic children and adults who are able to communicate (at least in writing) are opposed to attempts to cure their autism, because they (and/or the guardians) see autism as part of who they are.

Answer 2

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..

Answer 3

Autism is a mental disorder that affects children.....the symptoms of autism usually start getting noticed by 2 years of age.These children have poor communication skills,lack socialisation skills and exhibit strange sterotype or repetative movements(like flapping hands or jumping repeatedly).These children prefer to be alone and most of their communication is limited to vague pointing,or some repeat phrases or words which is called as echolallia.It is not a disorder which can be cured...but children with autism can be trained to live a near normal life.The Paediatrician,Pscholigist,Occupational Therapist and the Speech Therapist are the people who are involved in treating children with autism.

Answer 4

Autism is listed as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. While there is disagreement about the magnitude, nature, and mechanisms for such environmental factors, researchers have found seven genes prevalent among individuals diagnosed as autistic. Some estimate that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. However, the National Institute of Mental Health gives a more conservative estimate of one in 1000[1]. For families that already have one autistic child, the odds of a second autistic child may be as high as one in twenty. Although autism is about 3 to 4 times more common in boys, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment. Diagnosis is based on a list of psychiatric criteria, and a series of standardized clinical tests may also be used.

Autism may not be physiologically obvious. A complete physical and neurological evaluation will typically be part of diagnosing autism. Some now speculate that autism is not a single condition but a group of several distinct conditions that manifest in similar ways. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a link between autism, abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress (the result of higher levels of free radicals). The study suggests that, if researchers can find more evidence linking decreased blood flow to the brain and oxidative stress with the pathology of autism, improvements in therapy could be found[2].

By definition, autism must manifest delays in "social interaction, language as used in social communication, or symbolic or imaginative play," with "onset prior to age 3 years", according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The ICD-10 also requires symptoms to be "manifest before the age of three years." There have been large increases in the reported incidence of autism, for reasons that are heavily debated by researchers in psychology and related fields within the scientific community.

With intense therapy and practice and schooling, some children diagnosed with autism can improve their social and other skills to the point where they can fully participate in mainstream education and social events, but there are no indications that a cure from autism is possible with current technology or advances in medicine. Some autistic children and adults who are able to communicate (at least in writing) are opposed to attempts to cure their autism, because they (and/or the guardians) see autism as part of who they are.

Answer 5

Autism is a form of Disability.

There are varying degrees of Autism, from mild to severe. Far too complex to try to explain here.
May I suggest you go to the links below which will fully answer your question.

Answer 6

Autism is a brain disorder where the person lacks the ability to empathize with others in the way normal people do. They don't quite understand how they appear to others so often their behavior seems odd or annoying.

Answer 7

hi. i have worked with toddlers with ASDs in the previous and Thomas changed into genuinely superb on the video- with any success quicker or later he will instruct his acquaintances that he changed into favorite on YA! do not difficulty about the stares. regrettably toddlers with autism were put in hospitals until eventually the Nineteen 1970s yet society has advanced slightly now and considered they are frequently area of society. Edit - I agree - he seems a really chuffed youthful lad. you ought to be so proud!

Answer 8

Autism is a spectrum of disorders whicha ffect a peron's ability to cope with the world emotionally and communicatively. This can range from people who might not like being in groups much to people who cannot speak or bare to be touched.

Answer 9

one in 114,000 kids got autism before they started putting mercury in "required" innoculations for babys at 13 months in 1983.
Now one in 166 kids have autism....its a manufactured disease. So terrible.
Stupid parents need to figure out the pattern....DONT DRUG YOUR CHILDREN! They have done fine for millions of years without the stupid drugs.

Answer 10

Kaly's right. Goth's right and concise. It is all they say but don't worry if you or a family member have it, it gives us talents the rest of the world doesn't have. All the word's greats had it. We don't see the world as everyone else does and things that most find simple are beyound us, but it's this that turns out to be our strength, I read just about all of the world's greatest books and in there I found myself [as they say] I learned what to say and what to not say and now I get on better with folks than 99% do. That is the key to being a world's great- getting on with folks. *All* of the world's greats say that. That and 'standing on the shoulders of giants' to quote Newton. Good luck, honey, remember it's as easy as we imagine it is [paraphrase of Einstein].