What is autism?

Answer 1

AUTISM IS A DISORDER OR CONDITION (called a SPECTRUM DISORDER). It includes a very mild disorder all the way to a severe disorder, and everything in between. That's why it is called a spectrum disorder, because it covers a wide range or spectrum of the SEVERITY of the disorder. It is also called a disability, or learning disability. It is something that you are born with, and so far, doctors and specialists do not know what causes it. The way it is diagnosed is there are a list of specific behaviors, and if a child has or exhibits a large number of those behaviors, they are considered to have autism. The specific behaviors include: not making direct eye contact with another person, they prefer to play alone rather than in a group, they generally don't like physical contact like being hugged or touched in other ways. Also, kids with autism either never speak, or learn to speak early on, then stop speaking all of a sudden. Some people with autism do speak, many in an echolalic manner (meaning they repeat what is said to them, and usually do not start a conversation.) Children (and adults) with autism usually like things done in a certain order, and do not like change or disruption of their routine. Some may look at their hands while flapping them close to their face, or may take an object like a piece of paper or fabric, and flip it back and forth while staring at it. Often, a child with autism has a more severe learning disability and have some degree of mental retardation (but NOT ALWAYS.) Some may be very smart, even learning numbers and letters by memory, or recognize pictures or people, after only seeing them one time. People that are verbal, will often show a great deal of intelligence in certain areas like remembering peoples names, dates, geography, numbers and many other things. Also, if their routine is changed, they may become very upset for no apparent reason other than change in routine. Some people with autism can read, write and do math, while others may never do those things. It is a very complicated disorder, and everyone with autism has a set of behaviors that is different from others. They do not always show every behavior mentioned above. If you Google autism, you will find a large number of interesting facts and behaviors, yet many questions about autism remain unanswered.-

Answer 2

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 3

Freud was the first person to define it. He used the term "auto-erotism;" a term Eugen Bleuler mercifully changed to "autism." According to Freud, autism is not a form of psychosis in that psychosis involves withdrawal of libido from the external world into oneself; whereas the autistic does not withdraw libido from the world but concentrates everything onto only one aspect of external reality: his own body, as in infancy. Typically an autistic has issues with elimination and sexual identity, as well as an inability to love. It was originally believed that all autism was caused by trauma--especially during critical stages of development.

Nowadays a majority of experts (so-called) believe brain damage is involved, even though there is scarce empirical evidence for such a belief, and no neurolgogical tests whatsoever for autism. The main reason for denying a connection between trauma and autism is the writing of a cranky old buzzard, Bruno Bettelheim, who wrote and made speeches against "refrigerator moms" (a term coined by Leo Kanner) even though he never stated that there was a connection between autism and cold mothers (He just believed that mothers reacted to their loveless autistic children in kind). As a result of Bettelheim's truly damaging attacks, all modern researchers shy away from the trauma theory and are all frantically looking for physiological causes.

Anyway, it's probably a combination of genetics and environment. A person predisposed to autism is susceptible to minor trauma. One of Bettelheim's discoveries was that babies who are precocious at birth--geniuses--are born with their safe modes turned off and are thus susceptible to autism in that birth itself is highly traumatic to such a child. He experiences everything wide awake. Nowadays alternate birth centers are available to minimize this trauma.

Answer 4

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting 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. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child.

And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, and although it is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act completely different from one another and have varying capabilities.

You may hear different terms used to describe children within this spectrum, such as autistic-like, autistic tendencies, autism spectrum, high-functioning or low-functioning autism, more-abled or less-abled; but more important than the term used to describe autism is understanding that whatever the diagnosis, children with autism can learn and function normally and show improvement with appropriate treatment and education.

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them. (For example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:


Insistence on sameness; resistance to change

Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words

Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language

Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason showing distress for reasons not apparent to others

Preference to being alone; aloof manner

Tantrums

Difficulty in mixing with others

Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled

Little or no eye contact

Unresponsive to normal teaching methods

Sustained odd play

Spinning objects

Obsessive attachment to objects

Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain

No real fears of danger

Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity

Uneven gross/fine motor skills

Non responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.


For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our sense of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach's skin, its sweet smell, and the juices running down your face. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which may throw their senses off they may be over or under active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful and the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors, like the ones listed above, are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.

There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less often or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment.

One of the most devastating myths about autistic children is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children, they can and do give affection. However, it may require patience on the parents' part to accept and give love in the child's terms.