Autism

Autism is a developmental disability, usually showing up in children before age 3. The definition of autism has been broadened and is now referred to as "autism spectrum," recognizing the fact that the disability appears in different ways and degrees. Autism in any of its manifestations may be the result of a disruption in the development of the brain before a baby is born. Autism appears to have a significant genetic component, but it also can appear in families with no history of autism. Families of children with autism, however, have a higher than average rate of developmental language problems and problems processing information. Autism affects early brain development, and its effects usually continue throughout a person's life.

Autism interferes with the way a child interacts with the world:

• It affects the way a child communicates, in both verbal and nonverbal ways.

• It affects social interaction, both physically and verbally.

• It can cause a person to repeat behaviors or words.

No medical test can diagnose autism. The diagnosis is made by observing the way a child communicates and behaves. The characteristics that indicate autism can range from mild to severe and can occur in any combination. Language may be slow to develop, or the child may use gestures instead of words or attach unusual meanings to words. Other characteristics that may indicate autism include little interest in making friends, preferring to spend time alone rather than with others, not making eye contact and not responding to smiles.

Experts do not know what causes autism, but it affects about 1 to 3 per 1,000 children, depending on what is included in the autism spectrum and what literature is being reviewed. Boys are three to four times more likely to develop autism than are girls. Heredity appears to play an important role. A family that has one child with autism has a 5 to 10 percent chance that another child will also develop autism. In identical twins, if one twin is autistic, about 80 percent of the time, the second twin will be autistic.  Research has found no link between any vaccine or combination of vaccines and autism.

A child or adult with autism often has other medical conditions. Some of these include sleep disorders, allergies, seizures and digestive problems.

A child diagnosed with autism can be helped by a variety of behavior-modification treatments, particularly if therapy begins when the child is young. Physical, occupational and speech therapies focus on the child's specific developmental problem. Others, such as special education, work to reduce the incidence of problem behavior and teach new life skills. Medication may also be prescribed, particularly if needed to control a behavior that can result in injury to the person with autism.

What to Do

Make sure your child's doctor checks your child's development at each well-baby visit through preschool. You should have your doctor check your child immediately if any of the signs or symptoms applies to your child. If autism is diagnosed, your doctor will probably prescribe specific treatments, depending on your child’s needs.

Self-care Steps for Autism

If your child has autism, skills training should begin early in life. A child with autism works best in a highly structured environment.