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Autism is a disorder in the brain development that causes restricted and repetitive behavior and impairs interaction and communication. The signs and symptoms are noticed prior to age three.
Causes of Autism
Causes of Autism are unknown at this time; however, research has shown similarities in some cases such as genetics. In many cases, autism is associated with agents that also cause birth defects. Some have speculated a link between childhood vaccines and autism.
The real truth of the matter is no one knows exactly what causes autism only that 1 of every 150 children are born with autism. Four times more boys have autism than girls do and the symptoms vary quite a bit from one child to another. Autism is not a disorder that goes away as the child becomes, but in many cases, as adults they can live on their own and function normally in a work environment according to the symptoms they have.
Symptoms of Autism - Social skill symptoms can include:
- Failure to answer when name is called
- No eye contact
- Prefers to play alone
- No understanding of others feelings
- Does not understand facial expressions
- Does not understand gestures
- Does not like to be held
Behavioral symptoms can include:
Remember every child is different and the behavioral symptoms can range from a hint to an extreme from one child to another. - Repetitive movements like rocking or spinning
- Obsession with an object
- Becomes upset when routines are changed
- Prone to tantrums
- Constantly moving
- Hypersensitive to sound
- Hypersensitive to touch
- Hypersensitive to light
- Overactive or inactive
- Oversensitive to pain
- Insensitive to pain
- Burst of laughing or crying without reason
The behavioral symptoms may become worse during adolescence years.
Language problems are also a major factor in the social interaction of children with autism. Some of these may inlcude: - Will not speak at all
- Saying words but not sentences
- Speaking with abnormal rhythm like a singsong tone
- May learn words but may not be able to say them later
- May not be able to verbally speak their needs so they use hand gestures
The repetitive behavior can be seen in various ways, thus the reason to explain this autism symptom a bit more. Not only does children with autism show signs of repetitive behavior such as rocking, head rolling, or rocking but other repetitive signs may be apparent. These include: - Compulsive behavior show the ability to follow rules such as placing object in perfect rows
- Sameness – keeping all items in the exact same place such as canisters on the counter or toys on a shelf
- Ritualistic behavior – performing daily tasks in the exact order the same each day such as eating the same food day for breakfast each day, the same for lunch, and the same for dinner
- Restricted behavior – attention is focused on one particular thing such as a certain television show or toy
- Self-injury – things such as biting or hitting oneself
Treatment for Autism
There is at this time no cure for autism. Research has shown that a positive influence and such things as medications, communication, behavior therapies, and complementary therapies do help
Medications include:
Psychoactive
Anticonvulsants
Antidepressants
Stimulants
Antipsychotic
The various therapies and the education of family members to deal with the symptoms of autism is the best way in which to help the child. In some cases, therapy along the lines of communication and speech has proven to aid children in their social skills and the ability to communicate with others. The most important thing is early detection.
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