| Autism (say: aw-tih-zum) causes kids to | | | | gathered, doctors can decide whether a child has |
| experience the world differently from the way | | | | autism or another problem. |
| most other kids do. It's hard for kids with autism | | | | What Do Doctors Do? |
| to talk with other people and express themselves | | | | Figuring out if a kid has autism can be difficult. A |
| using words. Kids who have autism usually keep | | | | parent is usually the first to suspect that |
| to themselves and many can't communicate | | | | something is wrong. Maybe the kid is old enough |
| without special help. | | | | to speak but doesn't, doesn't seem interested in |
| They also may react to what's going on around | | | | people, or behaves in other unusual ways. But |
| them in unusual ways. Normal sounds may really | | | | autism isn't the only problem that can cause these |
| bother someone with autism - so much so that | | | | kinds of symptoms. For example, kids who have |
| the person covers his or her ears. Being touched, | | | | hearing problems might have trouble speaking, |
| even in a gentle way, may feel uncomfortable. | | | | too. |
| Kids with autism often can't make connections | | | | Usually, the results of lab tests and other medical |
| that other kids make easily. For example, when | | | | tests are normal in kids with autism, but doctors |
| someone smiles, you know the smiling person is | | | | may do them to make sure the kid doesn't have |
| happy or being friendly. But a kid with autism may | | | | other problems. These medical tests can include |
| have trouble connecting that smile with the | | | | blood and urine tests, a hearing exam, an EEG (a |
| person's happy feelings. | | | | test to measure brain waves), and an MRI (a |
| A kid who has autism also has trouble linking | | | | picture that shows the structure of the brain). |
| words to their meanings. Imagine trying to | | | | Intelligence (IQ) tests also might be done. |
| understand what your mom is saying if you didn't | | | | Often, specialists work together as a team to |
| know what her words really mean. It is doubly | | | | figure out what is wrong. The team might include |
| frustrating then if a kid can't come up with the | | | | a pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric |
| right words to express his or her own thoughts. | | | | developmentalist, a child psychiatrist, a child |
| Autism causes kids to act in unusual ways. They | | | | psychologist, speech and language therapists, and |
| might flap their hands, say certain words over | | | | others. The team members study how the child |
| and over, have temper tantrums, or play only | | | | plays, learns, communicates, and behaves. The |
| with one particular toy. Most kids with autism | | | | team listens carefully to what parents have |
| don't like changes in routines. They like to stay on | | | | noticed, too. Using the information they've |
| a schedule that is always the same. They also | | | | gathered, doctors can decide whether a child has |
| may insist that their toys or other objects be | | | | autism or another problem. |
| arranged a certain way and get upset if these | | | | How Is Autism Treated? |
| items are moved or disturbed. | | | | There is no cure for autism, but doctors, |
| If someone has autism, his or her brain has | | | | therapists, and special teachers can help kids with |
| trouble with an important job: making sense of | | | | autism overcome or adjust to many difficulties. |
| the world. Every day, your brain interprets the | | | | The earlier a kid starts treatment for autism, the |
| sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that | | | | better. |
| you experience. If your brain couldn't help you | | | | Different kids need different kinds of help, but |
| understand these things, you would have trouble | | | | learning how to communicate is always an |
| functioning, talking, going to school, and doing | | | | important first step. Spoken language can be hard |
| other everyday stuff. Kids can be mildly affected | | | | for kids with autism to learn. Most understand |
| by autism, so that they only have a little trouble | | | | words better by seeing them, so therapists teach |
| in life, or they can be very affected, so that they | | | | them how to communicate by pointing or using |
| need a lot of help. | | | | pictures or sign language. That makes learning |
| What Do Doctors Do? | | | | other things easier, and eventually, many kids with |
| Figuring out if a kid has autism can be difficult. A | | | | autism learn to talk. |
| parent is usually the first to suspect that | | | | Therapists also help kids learn social skills, such as |
| something is wrong. Maybe the kid is old enough | | | | how to greet people, wait for a turn, and follow |
| to speak but doesn't, doesn't seem interested in | | | | directions. Some kids need special help with living |
| people, or behaves in other unusual ways. But | | | | skills (like brushing teeth or making a bed). Others |
| autism isn't the only problem that can cause these | | | | have trouble sitting still or controlling their tempers |
| kinds of symptoms. For example, kids who have | | | | and need therapy to help them control their |
| hearing problems might have trouble speaking, | | | | behavior. Some kids take medications to help their |
| too. | | | | moods and behavior, but there's no medicine that |
| Usually, the results of lab tests and other medical | | | | will make a kid's autism go away. |
| tests are normal in kids with autism, but doctors | | | | Students with mild autism sometimes can go to |
| may do them to make sure the kid doesn't have | | | | regular school. But most kids with autism need |
| other problems. These medical tests can include | | | | calmer, more orderly surroundings. They also |
| blood and urine tests, a hearing exam, an EEG (a | | | | need teachers trained to understand the problems |
| test to measure brain waves), and an MRI (a | | | | they have with communicating and learning. They |
| picture that shows the structure of the brain). | | | | may learn at home or in special classes at public |
| Intelligence (IQ) tests also might be done. | | | | or private schools. |
| Often, specialists work together as a team to | | | | Living With Autism |
| figure out what is wrong. The team might include | | | | Some kids with mild autism will grow up and be |
| a pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric | | | | able to live on their own. Those with more serious |
| developmentalist, a child psychiatrist, a child | | | | problems will always need some kind of help. But |
| psychologist, speech and language therapists, and | | | | all kids with autism have brighter futures when |
| others. The team members study how the child | | | | they have the support and understanding of |
| plays, learns, communicates, and behaves. The | | | | doctors, teachers, caregivers, parents, brothers, |
| team listens carefully to what parents have | | | | sisters, and friends. |
| noticed, too. Using the information they've | | | | |