What is autism? Is it possible to have a mild case?

Question

I know the extreme basics. Just wondered if I could get any more detailed accounts, especially about those with relatively mild cases.

Sure I can communicate. My thoughts just never get fully expressed. It's like there's a valve on my brain that never opens all the way up, so more thoughts are created before the old ones can get out. My brain never stops working. Just wondering if this is normal.

Answer 1

Since Autism is a spectrum disorder, it can range from severe to mild, in fact some of the more milder cases go undiagnosed for years or may never be diagnosed. Sometimes it's misdiagnosed as ADD/ADHD because the children don't display the more extreme symptoms. Some undiagnosed cases have had their behaviours written off as eccentric or just a little different.

You can go undiagnosed if your symptoms are mild enough to be just considered quirks and not problem behaviour. It is important that if autism is suspected that the child (or adult) has a series of examinations, observations and testing to either rule in or out the diagnoses. Even mild cases can benefit from therapy and that therapy can make it easier for them to cope in a world that can seem to be an alien planet.

Some signs can be the preference to be alone, the inability to understand certain physical cues (personal space, facial expressions), inability to understand figures of speech (very literal thinking) such as sarcasm or irony, senstivity to light or sound, appears to be day dreaming or deaf (possible shut down response when over stimulated), need for routine and avoiding eye contact.

Answer 2

When in doubt, ask some one that is trained in determining these things. Having your sons hearing checked out is an excellent first step. If you don't know where to find a ear, nose, and throat doctor make an appointment with your child's pediatrician to express your concerns and get a referral. A good place to start with getting your son some basic development testing is with your local school district. Very often they can give you the number to the early childhood special education services department. Although autism is not often diagnosed at this age unless it is severe, there are huge benefits in starting therapy and education with it as early as possible. The difference between an autistic child that received educational intervention at 3 is a completely different child at 6 then a child that is diagnosed and treated at 5. If nothing else, the only thing you will lose by receiving an evaluation for your son is a couple of hours of time and gaining some relief. I would like to mention that many places can be understaffed and overbooked. There can be long waiting lists to even schedule an appointment let alone get into one, so if this is something your gut is telling you to get checked out I would strongly suggest asking for an appointment now. You could be waiting 6 months to a year before you receive any formal testing or diagnosis. If in 5 months time you feel your son has made huge drastic improvements and that your worrying was exactly that, just worries, you can always cancel the appointment.

Answer 3

One research suspects there is not one gene, but maybe 4, 5 or even 6 or 7 genes that need to be present for there to be autism. If this is the case, you could have one or two of the genes, therefore showing a few traits, without actually having enough traits to be autistic.

I have facial recognesion problems. Some of my relatives find it very difficult to express emotions. And I suspect my niece & nephew inherited those genes & others as well, resulting in them being autistic.

Answer 4

My son is diagnosed with high-functioning autism. He will always be a little quircky and it takes him a while to really communicate clearly what he's thinking. Early intervention has really helped him to socially fit in. I don't anticipate him having any problems living independently as an adult, however, he will probably have relationship issues.

If your concerned about yourself....Because you can communicate you feelings in writing as you have with this and your previous questions I highy doubt that you are on the autism spectrum. Even in mild cases of autism they tend show an inability to discuss and get complex feelings communicated and they perseverate on their own thoughts without regard to others.

Answer 5

Autism is a Spectrum Disorder meaning that an individual can fall anywhere from mild to moderate to severe.

Answer 6

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome (or disorder) is a developmental disorder in which people have difficulties understanding how to interact socially. People with Asperger's syndrome may not recognize verbal and nonverbal cues or understand normal social rules, such as taking turns talking or recognizing personal space.

It is believed that in Asperger's Disorder

onset is usually later
outcome is usually more positive
social and communication deficits are less severe
circumscribed interests are more prominent
verbal IQ is usually higher than performance IQ (in autism, the case is usually the reverse)
clumsiness is more frequently seen
family history is more frequently positive
neurological disorders are less common

Does this sound like what you are thinking of.

There is also 'High Functioning' (i.e. IQ > 70) Autism

Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

Answer 7

IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO HAVE MILD OR HIGH FUNCTIION AUTISM IT IS A BRAIN DISORDER

Answer 8

it shows up when the child is very small, if you can communicate its very unlikely you have it.