Autism


Autism
Autism is a developmental disability that occurs to varying degrees in individuals who express characteristics of the disorder. Characteristics include difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, and everyday activities and appear at a diagnosable level around the age of 2 years. The Autism Spectrum ranges from severe impairment to fully functioning. Researchers are currently investigating the potential causes of the disorder, including genetic and environmental factors. The incidence is currently thought to be 1 in every 100 to 150 births, as the rate has appeared to increase in the last few decades, along with better diagnostic tools. Image: Autism awareness ribbon, Autism Society of America What is autism? by Lucy Sun Autism is a severe and chronic developmental disorder that results in significant lifelong disability for most persons. Very few individuals afflicted with Autism ever live to achieve normal and indep...More> Write Symptoms and treatment of autism by Angeline Oppenheimer Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects the brain's normal development of social and communication abilities. The symptoms typically show up before the age of three and are characteri...More> Write
	How is autism diagnosed? by Ann Marie Dwyer Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed through a series of behavioral observations and not on traditional medical tests. Accurate autism diagnosis is based on comprehensive, professional, age-appropr...More> 6 articles Write Why autism screenings are being recommended at younger ages by Bethany Jones Until recently, pediatricians did not usually screen for autism or diagnose children with autism until they were 4 years old. However, due to the rising numbers of autism in American children, pediatr...More> 5 articles Write
Autism by Barbara Kasey Smith Autism causes children to experience the world differently from the way most other children do. Children with autism have a difficult time talking with other people and expressing themselves using wor...More> Write The link between autism and genetics by Bruce Ziebarth While a large amount of research is being done in autism, doctors have not found a predominant cause. Research has found several things that are believed to contribute to autism. When contributo...More> Write Google Images
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Quick Facts

Autism is not a single disorder but a spectrum of varying degrees of developmental and social impairment.
There is no known cause or cure for Autism.
Genetics appears to play a role in the development of the disorder.
Boys are affected 4-times more often than girls.
Estimates of the prevalance of the disorder fluctuate.