What is Autism?

There has been a lot of talk about Autism in recent years. The media has done a great deal to make people aware of this condition, but it is still a mystery to most people. If you do not know anyone that has been diagnosed with autism, you are probably unfamiliar with this disorder. Many people are asking the question, “What is autism?” The answer is much more simple that the disorder itself.

Autism-also called: Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is a disorder that is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. The main signs and symptoms of autism involve communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary—from gifted to severely challenged. An ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life.

Children with autism might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. They may have to line up their pencils before they can pay attention, or they may say the same sentence again and again to calm themselves down. They may flap their arms to tell you they are happy, or they might hurt themselves to tell you they are not. Some people with autism never learn how to talk.

Because people with autism can have very different features or symptoms, health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder. Asperger syndrome is a milder version of the disorder.

The cause of autism is not known. Autism lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. There is no cure, but treatment can help. Treatments include behavior and communication therapies and medicines to control symptoms.

Becoming educated on this disorder and finding out what help is available in your community is the best way to go about getting help for a child that suffers from autism. In the past several years, many organizations and support groups have become available to parents of autistic children.