concerningAUTISM

Autism is a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and the world around them. It is a spectrum condition.  While all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, the condition will affect people in different ways. Asperger Syndrome is a form of autism.

The causes of autism are still being investigated. Increasingly, it is believed that genetics play a role in the development of autism. Statistically, autism affects more males than females, but the reasons for this are unclear.

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. These signs usually begin before a child is three years old. Recoginsing that a child may be autistic can be distressing for parents and a diagnosis of autism may be very frightening. Parents of autistic children are advised to learn as much as possible about autism in order to get a clear understanding of how to best support their autistic child.

Because autism is a 'spectrum' disorder it affects different people in different ways. It is therefore very difficult to generalise about how a person with autism will develop over time. It

is important to realise that an intervention that works well with one individual may not be appropriate or effective with another. Each person with autism responds in their own way to the world, and to their unique life experiences.

The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of ways. Both children and adults can exhibit any combination of autistic behaviours in varying degrees of severity. Autism is distinguished not by a single symptom, but by a combination of symptoms including difficulties with social interaction, impairments in communication and restricted interests and repetitive behaviour.

There is no known 'cure' for autism. This does not mean, however, that nothing can be done for a person with autism. There is a growing movement among people with autism to not think in terms of curing autism but, instead, of living with the disorder and celebrating the differences created by the condition. Many people with autism live full and dynamic lives. Information and education about autism has led to a greater quality of life for many autistic people.

Our understanding of autism has grown considerably since it was first identified in the 1940s, and as we learn more about the condition, more interventions are certain to become available.

For more information about autism, it's symptoms and treatment, we suggest The National Autistic Society at www.autism.org.uk.

Sources

The National Autistic Society, www.autism.org.uk

Wikipedia.org