Research Paper On Autism

Words: 1259
Pages: 6

Notes on Autism/ What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

Autism is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.

Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD for short is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges.

Autism is the result of a neurological disorder. It affects the the brain and the way that it functions.

Autism typically appears during the first 3 years of a child's life.

Approximately 1 out of every 68 babies fall somewhere
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Most people with autism have trouble communicating.
They have trouble understanding what other people are thinking and feeling. This makes it very difficult for a person with autism to express themselves through words, gestures, facial expressions, and touch.
What Causes Autism
Because autism runs in families, most researchers think that certain combinations of genes may predispose a child to autism. But there are risk factors that increase the chance of having a child with autism.
For example: The advanced age of the mother or father increases the likelihood for an autistic child.

It is said that the number of individuals with autism is increasing. However, it is not entirely clear whether the increase is related to changes in how autism is diagnosed or whether it is a true increase in the incidence of the disease. Even though researchers don’t know why the number of people with Autism, it is a fact that Autism is not caused by vaccinations.

Autism is just one of the syndromes that now fall under the heading of autism spectrum disorders. Previous disorders that are now classified under the umbrella diagnosis of ASD or a social communication disorder
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They tend to score in the average or above-average range on intelligence tests.
They have the same social problems and limited scope of interests as children with autistic disorder.
Pervasive developmental disorder or PDD -- also known as atypical autism.
This is a kind of catch-all category for children who have some autistic behaviors but who don't fit into other categories.
Childhood disintegrative disorder.
Children with childhood disintegrative disorder develop normally for at least two years and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills.
This is an extremely rare disorder and its existence as a separate condition is a matter of debate among many mental health professionals.
Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome previously fell under ASD spectrum but it is now confirmed that Rett’s cause is genetic, therefore it no longer falls under ASD guidelines.
Children with Rett syndrome, primarily girls, start developing normally but then begin losing their communication and social skills. Beginning at the age of 1 to 4 years, repetitive hand movements replace purposeful use of the hands.
Children with Rett syndrome are usually severely cognitively