| Autism causes are still a mystery however evidence | | | | world' so to speak. |
| is pointing to the fact that there are huge unexplained | | | | Very often the diagnosis of autism isn't made until the |
| increases in incidence of autism ( over 287%) and that | | | | child grows older and there may be showing signs of |
| very often it happens in clusters i.e. groups of children | | | | not developing at check ups and usually this is |
| are diagnosed with autism in the same geographic | | | | indicated by their social behaviour. When the child |
| area. | | | | starts school these symptoms are often perceived as |
| Suggestions as to why this is the case are debatable. | | | | behaviour problems such as possessive or repetitive |
| Theories are based on chromosome abnormalities. | | | | behaviours, often they have difficulty in adapting to |
| This may mean the siblings of a child with autism are | | | | changes in routine. Their coordination may be poor |
| 75 times more likely to develop it themselves. Another | | | | either with movement or holding pens and such like. In |
| school of thinking is that there is some damage from | | | | some cases the child may have difficulty in making |
| the environment and Dr Andrew Wakefield has | | | | friends at school and in part this is due to the inability to |
| presented evidence to support his argument that | | | | read non-verbal communication form others and |
| vaccines are at least a contributing factor. especially | | | | respond appropriately. In many cases the child |
| the MMR vaccine. | | | | develops other learning difficulties that can then follow |
| Autism can vary in the way it effects people and also | | | | them through life. However children with autism may |
| the severity. Diagnosis is placed on something referred | | | | be gifted in a certain area like art, mathematics or |
| to as the 'Autistic Spectrum'. Milder forms of the | | | | music for example. |
| condition include Asperger's syndrome. | | | | In desperation many parents turn to prescribed |
| The types of symptoms that come with autism might | | | | medication to help the problem. However there are |
| include difficulties in communicating socially and not | | | | side effects with drug administration and often the side |
| being able to relate with others in appropriate ways. | | | | effects can be as challenging as the initial problems. |
| Autism affects the ability to form friendships and | | | | There are however many natural approaches to |
| relationships. Very often in the developmental stages | | | | supporting someone with autism and these are highly |
| of childhood, play is affected and sometimes people | | | | affective when used with the individual behaviours of |
| with autism find it difficult to connect with the 'real | | | | the person concerned in mind. |