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What is Autism?
Autism is a neurobiological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities.
Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurence. Autism is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity. The three most common Autism Spectrum Disorders: Classic Autism, Asperger's Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis combined. It is estimated that one out of 150 people born today will have some form of autism.
Autism Checklist
- Insistence on sameness; has trouble with changes in routine
- Severe language deficits
- Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words
- Echolalia (repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language)
- Laughing, crying or showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
- Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
- Tantrums-displays stress for no apparent reason
- Difficulty relating to others
- May not want cuddling or act cuddly
- Little or no eye contact
- Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
- Talk about or show interest in a restricted rannge of topics
- Spins objects or self
- Inappropriate attachment to objects
- Apparent oversensitivity or undersensitvity to pain.
- No real fear of danger
- Noticable physical over activity or extreme under activity
- Appearto be unaware of when people talk to them but respond to other sounds
- Uneven gross/fine motor skills (may not kick a ball but can stack blocks)
Individuals with Autism usually exhibit at least half of the traits listed below. These behaviors occur in varying
combinations of degree and severity.