Can someone explain what autism is to me?!
Question:
Can someone explain what autism is to me?
What exactly is autism? What are the different types? What are the characteristics of people who do have autism?
Thanks.
Answers:
Hi there,
Thank you for your query. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Do visit:- http://www.displaysforschools.com/autism...
In short, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-biological condition, the cause of which is not yet fully known. It is generally assumed that autism has complex genetic links combined with environmental triggers. It is a spectrum and people with autism may be mildly or severely affected depending on where in the continuum there conditions lie. Autism has been on epidemic rise, currently affecting 1 in every 166 children. It is generally diagnosed at the age of three.
As for the symptoms, I'll quote from a contributor named Smart Kat.
"The top three signs of autism are;
1. Social Impairment such as;
a. No eye contact, pointing, or gestures to communicate.
b. Doesn't show off items. "Look at what I have!" type behaviour, or otherwise share interest or enjoyment with others.
2. Impairments in Communication such as;
a. Delay in, or total lack of speech
b. Or with Asperger's, marked impairment in the
ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.
3. Repetitive movements, patterns of behavior & interests such as;
a. Hand-flapping, rocking, etc.
b. Obsessions with objects or parts of objects.
c. Prefers to organize or line up items rather than actually "play" with them.
d. Inflexible adherence to routines & rituals. (My niece will throw a fit if the bus driver doesn't stop at every normal stop even if the child at that particular stop didn't come to school that day, therefore doesn't need to be dropped off.
There is not blood test, brain scan, or genetic testing that can determine if a child is autistic. Observation is necessary."
There already exist at Y!A a number of posts that contain the exactly the same contents of your own query, however. You may like to check the best responses posted there, too.
Best wishes,
Mother of a child with autism.
