Trivia: Autism Overview

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and here are some facts about autism, Asperger syndrome, and other autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Overview

ASD, or pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), are a group of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development." The five types of ASD are:

According to information from the Autism Society of America, one in 150 children is born with some form of ASD. Between one and 1.5 million Americans and 200,000 Canadians have ASD.

All people with ASD have lifelong communication, social, and behavioral difficulties. However, there is a wide range in symptoms and abilities, and treatment can help improve the functioning of ASD patients.

The cause of ASD is unknown. Possible causes include genetics, differences in brain function, prenatal and postnatal brain development, environmental factors, viral infections, and immune responses.

ASD is four times more common in boys than girls.

Autism is the most common type of ASD and affects three to six out of every 1,000 children. In the United States, the prevalence of autism is increasing by 10 to 17% per year, and it is the fastest growing developmental disability in the country.

Autism is usually diagnosed in the first three years of life. Some adults with autism can live and work independently, while others require lifelong care.

Asperger syndrome is often considered a high-functioning form of autism, and is usually diagnosed when a child reaches school age. According to the Mayo Clinic, conservative estimates say that two out of every 10,000 children have Asperger syndrome.

Symptoms

ASD affects the development of social, language, motor, and cognitive skills. People with ASD may have difficulty making sense of the world around them and/or interacting with other people. The number, type, and severity of ASD symptoms can vary widely between individuals.

Language and Communication: Without early intervention, about 40% of children with ASD do not talk at all. Some children who cannot speak learn to communicate through sign language and pictures.

Children with ASD may start speaking later than normal, and some may lose previously acquired language skills. Some people with ASD speak with an abnormal tone or rhythm. People with ASD usually have trouble initiating and maintaining conversations.

Social Interaction: People with ASD often have difficulty communicating verbally, reading other people's emotions, and understanding nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures. All of this makes it difficult for them to interact with others. Some people with ASD show no interest in other people and prefer to be left alone. Others want to establish relationships, but have difficulty speaking and relating to other people. Many children with ASD do not show affection in conventional ways, and dislike being cuddled or held.

Behavior: People with ASD may perform repetitive movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning, and may also be hyperactive. Some people develop very specific routines or rituals, and become distressed by slight changes in these routines. People with ASD may have very restricted interests, and talk obsessively about only one topic.

Unusual Responses to Sensation: People with ASD may have problems processing auditory and visual information, and what they see and hear may be scrambled and/or overwhelming. Some people are unusually sensitive to sights, sounds, taste, or smells. ASD can also lead to either a very high or very low pain threshold.

Unique Abilities: Some people with ASD have useful skills such excellent spatial perception, exceptional memories, and the ability to concentrate for extremely long periods of time. A small number of "autistic savants" exhibit extraordinary abilities in one area, such as art or mathematics.

Treatment

There is no cure for ASD, but treatment can improve the person's ability to function. Children with ASD respond best to early, intensive treatment and structured educational programs. Treatment is most effective when it's tailored to the individual's abilities and needs.

Behavioral and Communication Therapies: A variety of programs exist to help people deal with the social, language, and behavioral difficulties associated with ASD.

Drug Therapies: Some medications can help control the symptoms of ASD. For instance, hyperactivity can be controlled by stimulants, and antipsychotic drugs may help control repetitive and aggressive behavior.

Complementary Therapies: Sensory integration therapy specifically focuses on reducing a person's hypersensitivity to touch or sound. Other types of therapies include art and music therapy, special diets, and vitamin and mineral supplements. However, most of these therapies are not backed up by scientific data.

Visit the following websites for more information: • Autism Society of America (ASA) • Autism Society of Canada Also see: • Trivia: Autism Versus Asperger Syndrome • Learning to Smile

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