Causes and Diagnosis of Autism

Autism is the most characteristic condition of thebe proven.
autistic spectrum disorders and is defined byAutistic disorders can appear in mild to severe
impaired social interaction, obsessive and narrowforms or be masked by other handicaps.
interests, repetitive actions and difficulties in verbalDiagnose is not always easy and certain. The
and nonverbal communication. Children with autismclinical diagnose is established according to a list of
are mostly diagnosed at the age of 3 when theythe most characteristic signs. The group of
show symptoms of an increased sensitivity tosymptoms orienting a specialist towards diagnose
sound, light and touch and decreased sensation ofof autism consists of certain behavioral and
pain. They avoid other children, resost cuddling,physical changes. This group contains an impaired
cannot understand other person's needs andability to make connections with other children or
feelings.begin and sustain a conversation, the absence of
The exact causes of autism are not yet knownimaginative social play methods, stereotyped and
to scientists but they tend to incriminate for therepetitive actions, limited interests, unusual
occurrence of these disorders of both geneticallylanguage skills, obsessions regarding particular few
and environmental factors. A series of genes onobjects and incapacity to accept certain rituals
the chromosomes have been identified to beand routine changes.
connected to the causes of autism. AlsoDoctors use questionnaires or other screening
irregularities in certain brain areas have beeninstruments to evaluate the observations made
matched to these type of disorders. According toby parents or by both parents and doctors.
some particular studies, an important trigger ofCertain questions regarding behavior and
autistic disorders is a low level ofdevelopment are asked and related to obvious
neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brainobservations. A further evaluation when the
tissues. The genes responsible for the growth andsuspicion of autism persists must be performed
interaction of the brain tissues and neurons couldby a multidisciplinary team consisting of
be blamed for an abnormal intrauterineneurologists, psychiatrist, speech analyst and other
development leading to later manifestations ofprofessionals. A hearing evaluation must be
some fetal life problems.completed in order to eliminate disorders caused
Another theory of the parental practicesby hearing difficulties.
responsible for the apparition of autism is stillAfter the completion of the testing, the parents
discussed and researched. All theories regardingare informed about results and possible therapy
the cause of autism are still preliminary and yet tomethods.