Autism

Summary:
1. What is autism?
2. The characteristics of autism
3. Symptoms of autism
4. Causes of autism
5. Therapy
6. Vocabulary
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder considered one of the
most serious neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood.
Autism is the central disorder of a whole range of
developmental disorders, known as autism / autism
disorders or pervasive developmental disorders. These
disorders present a wide variety of manifestations,
presumed to be the result of developmental dysfunction of
the central or genetic nervous system.
The characteristics of autism
This developmental disorder manifests itself evidently
around the age of 2-3, primarily due to the lack or delay
of the development of the spoken language and then due
to other deficiencies such as stereotypes, the absence of
visual contact or difficulties in establishing social
relations.
Autism spectrum disorder
1. high-functioning autism
level 1 Needs support
Patients social and communication skills and repetitive
behaviors are only noticeable without support.
2. autism
level 2 Needs substantial support
Patients social and communication skills and repetitive to
the casual observer, even with support in place.
3. severe autism
level 3 Needs very substantial support
Patients social and communication skills and repetitive
behaviours severely impair daily life.
Symptoms of autism
At birth the child is apparently normal. Depending on the
time of onset of autism, if it is early, in the first year of
life one can notice the lack of anticipatory movements
when taken in the arms, lack of smile as a reaction
response, apathy and lack of interest in what surrounds it.
Some children may develop normally up to about 18-24
months and then regress their skills and abilities. Studies
have found that more than half of children who were
subsequently diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
have noticed behavioral, social, and language problems of
children before the first year of life of their babies and
over 85% have noticed these problems before the age of
24 months.
Causes of autism are not yet fully understood, but it is
believed that the disorders are due to genetic defects, gene
interactions or rare mutations with major effects. In rare
cases, autism is associated with teratogenic agents
(causing birth defects). Studies on large populations have
shown that there is no link between vaccinations, autism
and thimerosal. Andrew Wakefield's study, which
initiated a press campaign and caused some parents not to
vaccinate their children, was discredited, and investigative
journalist Brian Deer showed that the data used in the
study was scientific fraud.
Therapy
The autistic child enrolled in an intensive care program
before the age of 3 years is very likely to recuperate
delays in development and develop social skills and
behaviors. Therapy that has proven effective in recovering
children with autism is ABA's behavioral therapy.
Research has shown that up to 49% of children enrolled in
early and intensive care programs (between 15 and 40
hours a week) become independent and make progress so
that autistic behaviors become less noticeable.
Vocabulary
Disorder - Mental distress, worry, knees, emotion.
Autism - Pathological condition manifested by breakage
of contact with outer reality and excessive living of inner
life, one of the fundamental symptoms of schizophrenia
Disease - Organic or functional change in the body's
normal balance; pathological process that affects the
body; illness, affection
SYMPTOM, SYMPTOMS - Functional disorder or
abnormal sensation felt by a being and that may indicate
the presence of a disease
THERAPY - Method used to cure a certain disease