| Autism is a disorder that is usually first diagnosed | | | | with his or her own personality and characteristics, |
| in early childhood. Children with autism might have | | | | every person with autism manifests the disorder |
| problems talking with you, or they might not look | | | | in his or her unique way. |
| you in the eye when you talk to them. They may | | | | Other signs of the disorder in infants include the |
| have to line up their pencils before they can pay | | | | following: |
| attention, or they may say the same sentence | | | | Appears indifferent to surroundings |
| again and again to calm themselves down. They | | | | Appears content to be alone, happier to play |
| may flap their arms to tell you they are happy, or | | | | alone |
| they might hurt themselves to tell you they are | | | | Displays lack of interest in toys |
| not. Some people with autism never learn how to | | | | Displays lack of response to others |
| talk. | | | | Call Your Doctor If: |
| Autism is a complex developmental disability that | | | | Your infant or child resists cuddling and doesn't |
| typically appears during the first three years of | | | | respond to his or her environment or to other |
| life and affects a person’s ability to | | | | people. |
| communicate and interact with others. Autism is | | | | By about the age of 1 year, your child is not |
| defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a | | | | pointing to objects, bringing items to you or |
| "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals | | | | engaging in simple interactions such as |
| differently and to varying degrees. There is no | | | | "peek-a-boo." |
| known single cause for autism, but increased | | | | How is autism diagnosed? |
| awareness and funding can help families today. | | | | There is no lab test that can detect autism. |
| What Causes Autism? | | | | Autism is often diagnosed when a baby or toddler |
| The bottom line is, no one really knows for sure | | | | doesn't behave as expected for his or her age. If |
| what causes autism. Most experts will say that | | | | your doctor thinks your child has autism, he or |
| autism is probably caused by a combination of | | | | she will probably suggest that your child see a |
| genetic and environmental factors. Even those | | | | child psychiatrist or other specialist. The specialist |
| experts, though, do not have a definite answer. | | | | will probably test your child to see if he or she |
| For many people, this uncertainty is terribly | | | | shows signs of autism. |
| frustrating. On the plus side, interest in and funding | | | | What's the treatment? |
| for autism research is on the rise, so new and | | | | There is no specific cure or particular medical |
| better information should be forthcoming in the | | | | treatment for autism, but much can be done to |
| next months and years. | | | | maximise a child’s potential and this is key to |
| Autism Symptoms | | | | managing the condition. Appropriate specialist |
| Autism is a condition surrounded by myth and | | | | education, speech, language and behavioural |
| generalizations about people with autism that are | | | | therapy are all important. There are many |
| rarely appropriate. The common beliefs that | | | | different approaches, some of which are based |
| people with autism never express emotion, never | | | | around theories about possible causes of autistic |
| smile or laugh, never make eye contact, never | | | | spectrum disorders (for example, the Son-Rise |
| talk, and never display affection are simply | | | | programme). |
| that—myths. Just as every person is unique, | | | | |