What is autism?

Question

cause im at the site http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com
and their are videos about kids with autism.
but i dont understand what it is.
someone want to explain to me in plain english?

Answer 1

First, Autism is what's known as a spectrum disease...which means that the symptoms can affect you a little or a lot or somewhere in between or even not at all.

The most noticable part of Autism, I think, is the lack of social motivation. It's hard for them to tell who authority figures are, they don't pick up on if people are sad, mad, bored, etc and have to be taught how to read facial expressions and look for body language clues.

Most Autistics are very literal; they don't get "normal" jokes (of course, most people don't get mine...and I don't think I'm Autistic). It's also hard for them to apply a set of rules from one instance but not to another.

They can have obessive compulsive tendencies. Some of them have repetitive hand and arm movements which they find soothing. There is a lot of obessing over objects, or subjects. For instance, they might be obsessed with trains and that's mostly what they'll talk about.

Certain noises can drive them crazy. They can have outburst which look like temper tantrums, but they're set off by certain noises.

They have trouble breaking from routines.

Some of them don't speak at all; some of them speak in clips that they've heard (Mother asks, "Do you want a glass of water?". The next time the child wants a glass of water he asks his Mother, "Do you want a glass of water?"), others ramble incessantly about their obsessions, others you might not ever know were Autistic or Aspbergers.

I would think that they are like snow flakes, in that no two are alike.

Answer 2

Autism affect One in 150 children in the U.S.


There are various classifications and degrees of autism and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when more debilitating handicaps mask it.

Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by three distinctive behaviors. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, display problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. Some children with autism exhibit aggression and high levels of self-stimulatory behavior.

Scientists aren’t certain what causes autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Autism begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person's life. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls.


Some are unable to talk conversationally, while others have virtually no ability to speak.

Answer 3

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, and uneven intellectual development often with mental retardation. Symptoms begin in early childhood. The cause in most children is unknown, although evidence supports a genetic component; in some, autism may be caused by a medical condition. Diagnosis is based on developmental history and observation. Treatment consists of behavioral management and sometimes drug therapy.
Please see the web pages for more details on Autism.

Answer 4

Loosly defined a person with autism has marked delays in social interaction, communication and are a bit 'out of touch' with things and people around them. There are many degrees of autism from severe all the way up to high functioning autism or Aspergers Syndrome. Wikipedia has some good basic info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Answer 5

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

this is written in very plain english, so you can understand.