| Pervasive developmental disorders first began to | | | | results so far have been inconclusive. |
| appear in the early 1980's. Pervasive development | | | | Some experts have proposed that the cause of the |
| disorders like autism are relatively new on the | | | | disorder lies in vaccination shots, specifically MMR |
| diagnostic scene. Professionals use the DSM IV as the | | | | vaccines that were administered to infants when they |
| primary diagnostic tool to classify these disorders. | | | | were around eighteen months of age. However, no |
| Autism research and other studies dedicated to these | | | | autism research has supported this claim and the |
| modern disorders are still in their early stages. | | | | debate about the disorder continue. |
| Autism research has yet to make significant progress | | | | Fortunately, research has helped determine what |
| in uncovering the causes of the condition. Numerous | | | | treatments might work best for this population. |
| professionals have spent countless hours, weeks, and | | | | Programs like Applied Behavior Analysis have proven |
| even years in an effort to obtain significant results to | | | | to be successful in treating some cases of autism. |
| expand our understanding of the disorder. | | | | Some agencies across the country use a combination |
| One in every 175 children are said to be diagnosed | | | | of strategies and interventions to aid children and |
| with autism or related pervasive development | | | | adults to function to the best of their capacity. |
| disorders. Last year's statistics show that one in every | | | | The efforts of experts and researchers involved in |
| 166 was diagnosed. | | | | autism research have not yet found a cure. This |
| This drop although positive, is sadly insignificant | | | | disorder are still a mystery even to the most |
| considering that only one in 10,000 was diagnosed | | | | knowledgeable doctors in the world. It continues to |
| about ten years ago. The alarming increase in the | | | | frustrate numerous professionals, parents, and care |
| number of children who were diagnosed has | | | | givers who are eager to put autism and related |
| increased the clamor for more autism research. | | | | pervasive developmental disorders to rest. |
| Recent autism research has discovered some | | | | The treatment for autistic disorders has come a long |
| valuable information about the disorder and the data | | | | way. Our understanding of the problem has grown |
| can be organized into three major categories: causes, | | | | almost as quickly as the rate of diagnosis. Hopefully, |
| treatment, and cure. | | | | autism research will come up with more answers to |
| The exact causes of the disorder are still unknown but | | | | help children and adults around the world just as |
| some tests indicate that genetics may be responsible. | | | | quickly. |
| However, more information are still being gathered and | | | | |