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What
is autism?
Autism is merely a
developmental disability. The degree of the disability may vary
drastically from person to person. Individuals may exhibit similarities
in communication and social deficits, but differ in terms of severity.
Individuals with autism may find it difficult to exercise their
social and communicative functions, which means learning, verbalizing,
socializing present a challenge. Therefore, special education and
additional attention is required. Albeit a life-long challenge,
being diagnosed with autism does not preclude the possibility of
enjoying a healthy and fulfilling life.
What causes autism?
It is still unknown what causes autism, however,
research all over the world is currently being conducted to find
an answer. Various medical studies have discovered a connection
between biological irregularities in the brain and autism. Research
also indicates there may be a highly complex genetic link to autism.
Undoubtedly, future research will uncover more answers. Moreover,
there is no evidence that supports the idea autism is caused by
direct genetic factors, psychological trauma, or as a result of
poor parenting.
How common is autism?
Autism
is a development disability that occurs in about 2 of every thousand
births. It is more prevalent in males, affecting 4 of 5 people diagnosed
with autism. It affects people from all over the world and from
all walks of life. The first signs of autism may not become apparent
until the age of 24-30 months
How does it affect behavior?
It
is typical for autism to impair communication capabilities and social
interaction. Individual behavior and problems will vary and can
range from mild to severe. Activity levels can also range from hyper
to inactive. Children with autism may find it very challenging in
learning language and developing social skills.
Some areas where autism may be affected include:
Communication skills: Language
development may be slow, attention span is short, use of gestures
rather than vocalizing communication
Social Interaction: preference to be alone, minimal interest
in making friends
Sensory: Heightened senses (sight, hearing, touch,
smell, and taste)
Play: lack of imaginative play
Behavior: Behavior may appear extreme, irrational, insistent,
and/or an unwillingness to change
Is there a cure?
Medically
speaking there is as yet no cure for autism. However, autism is
treatable. Great strides in autism research have made it possible
to better understand the disability. This understanding has contributed
to developing tools and techniques that can minimize the challenges
associated with autism. Through special individualized instruction
in a structured environment, persons can dramatically reduce the
negative effects of autism. Still, while not completely eliminating
behavioral issues, these advances have improved the quality of life
of all those closest to autism.
The
future and autism
The
future with autism looks bright. Today, we have a greater understanding
of autism. Hundreds of organizations and educational institutions
devoted to autism research are making great progress in finding
new answers and, thanks to the advent of the Internet, these new
discoveries are accessible much faster to the public. Given so many
resources available today it’s easy to be optimistic. Parents,
families and educators can now enjoy abundant support in dealing
with the autism challenge. With patience and guidance parents will
notice remarkable progress with their children and you’ll be
able to enjoy a healthy and functional life.
Disclaimer
Autism is a complex disorder. The information presented here is, of necessity,
general in nature. Please consult with a qualified professional
concerning your specific questions. The opinions expressed herein
are those of the individual authors.
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