| Introduction | | | | the specific nature or degree of the problem. |
| Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain that | | | | Environmental factors that have been claimed to |
| first shows signs during infancy or childhood and | | | | contribute to or exacerbate the condition, or may be |
| continues without any remission or relapse. It is very | | | | important in future research, include certain foods, |
| heritable, although the genetics are complex and it is | | | | infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel |
| not known exactly which genes cause it. The disorder | | | | exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic |
| is characterized by a group of symptoms rather than | | | | products, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, |
| a single symptom and the needs of those who have it | | | | alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines. |
| vary greatly. It is identified by impaired social interaction, | | | | Treatment |
| problems with verbal/nonverbal communication, and | | | | Treatments include behavior and communication |
| unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and | | | | therapies, medicines to control symptoms and is most |
| interests. | | | | successful when geared toward the child's particular |
| Symptoms | | | | needs. The main goals are to lessen associated |
| Symptoms often include problems with using and | | | | deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of |
| understanding language; difficulty relating to people, | | | | life and functional independence. Over the years, |
| objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other | | | | families have tried various types of traditional and |
| objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar | | | | non-traditional means to reduce autistic behaviors and |
| surroundings, and repetitive body movements or | | | | to increase normal behaviors. The two which have |
| behavior patterns. They can range from mild to very | | | | received the most empirical support are Applied |
| severe. Parents often become aware of autistic | | | | Behavior Analysis (ABA; behavior modification) and the |
| symptoms in their child around the time of a routine | | | | use of vitamin B6 with magnesium supplements. |
| vaccination. | | | | For many children, symptoms improve with treatment |
| Parental concern about vaccines has led to a | | | | and with age. Parents should be ready to adjust |
| decreasing rate of childhood immunizations and an | | | | treatment for their child as needed. The ideal treatment |
| increasing likelihood of measles outbreaks; However | | | | plan coordinates therapies and interventions that target |
| there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing no | | | | the core symptoms of autism: impaired social |
| causal association between the | | | | interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal |
| measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there | | | | communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines |
| is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative | | | | and interests. Parents should use caution before |
| thiomersal helps or causes the behavior. | | | | adopting any of these treatments. |
| The increasing popularity of drug treatment options | | | | Conclusion |
| and the expansion of benefits has given health | | | | Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs |
| providers incentives to diagnose ASD, resulting in | | | | social interaction and communication, and causes |
| some over diagnosis of children with uncertain | | | | restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a |
| symptoms. A person with ASD may respond | | | | child is three years old. It is three times more likely to |
| atypically to medications and the medications can have | | | | affect males than females. The disorder varies widely |
| adverse side effects. There is no known medication | | | | in its severity and symptoms and may go |
| that relieves autism's core symptoms of social and | | | | unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or |
| communication impairments. | | | | when it is masked by more debilitating handicaps. |
| Research | | | | Autism is not treated with surgery or medicine |
| Researchers have located several brain abnormalities | | | | (although some may be given medicine to improve |
| in individuals with autism; however, the reasons for | | | | certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention |
| these abnormalities is not known nor is the influence | | | | problems). It remains a challenging condition for |
| that they might have on behavior. Research has | | | | individuals and their families, but the outlook today is |
| shown that parents are usually correct about noticing | | | | much better than it was a generation ago. |
| developmental problems, although they may not realize | | | | |