Autism a developmental disorder of the brain

People with autism show three types of symptoms:

  • Problems with social interaction.
  • Problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and imagination.
  • Unusual or severely limited interests and activities.

Autism affects between two and 10 of every 10,000 people, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It strikes boys four times as often as girls. Researchers are not sure what causes autism — now known formally as pervasive developmental disorder — but have dispelled the myth that poor parenting causes the condition.

In most cases, children with autism begin to show signs of the disorder during their first three years. Autism can range in severity from a mild disorder to a serious condition marked by repeated unusual, self-injurious behavior.

Signs of autism in children include:

  • Failure to respond when people call to them.
  • Reluctance to look at other people.
  • Difficulty reading the tone of voice or facial expressions of someone speaking to them.
  • Failure to respond to other’s emotions
  • Lack of awareness of other’s feelings toward them or of the negative impact of their behavior on others.
  • Repetitive motions, such as hair twirling or rocking.
  • Self-injurious behavior, such as head-banging.
  • Delayed speech.
  • Unusual responses to sound, touch or other sensory stimulation, including reduced sensitivity to pain but extraordinary sensitivity to other sensations.

disorder of the brain If you are concerned that your child may be autistic, talk to his or her doctor. It is extremely important to have your child’s hearing checked, as symptoms of autism and hearing problems can be confused. Also, remember that the signs of autism are similar to those of other disorders.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, his or her health care provider can devise therapies to manage the symptoms. Although these therapies do not cure autism, they can lead to substantial improvements in managing symptoms.

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