| Autism is known by several different names. | | | | results are not yet definitive, some scattered |
| Some call it autism, others call it Autistic | | | | reports of success have been noted with secretin |
| Spectrum Disorder, and others refer to it by | | | | treatments for both children and adults. Common |
| what is typically known as a "lighter" form of | | | | treatments include special education with trained |
| autism, Aspergers Syndrome or Aspergers | | | | professionals who understand autistic spectrum |
| Disorder. The disorder is usually identified by a | | | | disorder, which would also include behavioral |
| marked delay in a child's areas of communication | | | | interventions and dietary changes. |
| and social interactions. While autism is not only | | | | A prevailing thought, although not yet definitive, is |
| found in children, it can typically be successfully | | | | that autism is a neurological or psychological |
| identified during the first three years of a child's | | | | disorder that is inherited. It has been concluded, |
| life. | | | | however, that autism is not a reflection of |
| Autistic spectrum disorder is a difficult affliction to | | | | parenting skills, where the lack of a nurturing |
| diagnose. There is not a physical ailment that can | | | | mother would be a cause of autism. Some studies |
| be readily seen, such as a broken arm or open | | | | have indicated that a dietary change can have a |
| wound, yet the affliction can be much worse than | | | | notable positive effect on the autistic patient, like |
| either of those if untreated or even worse, if it | | | | changing to a glutin-free diet. Other studies have |
| goes undiagnosed for a long period of time. Since | | | | shown that going through a process to remove |
| it is difficult to diagnose, various tests are | | | | mercury from the system had a very positive |
| performed on the patient to determine if certain | | | | effect. But again, these studies are currently |
| sets of criteria are met which would define | | | | inconclusive. |
| autism. For this reason, the diagnosis of autism is | | | | Yet other studies have focused in other areas. |
| a relatively subjective process that typically | | | | For example, one thought is that the production |
| requires specialists in this area to accurately | | | | of testosterone plays a role in autism, which |
| determine. | | | | would partially explain why such a dramatically |
| For several decades, autism has been known as | | | | greater percentage of males versus females are |
| one of the most severe neurological disorders | | | | afflicted with ASD. |
| pertaining to the normal development of a child's | | | | Since autism is difficult to accurately diagnose, |
| communications skills, ability to focus and | | | | sometimes the affliction which might be labeled as |
| concentrate, and general social interaction skills. | | | | autism is actually Aspergers Syndrome, which |
| For a long time, it was thought to be relatively | | | | simply put, is just a milder form of autistic |
| rare, but more recent studies estimate that | | | | spectrum disorder. For more information about |
| approximately 1 in every 150 children are afflicted | | | | Aspergers Disorder, you may wish to visit |
| by it to some degree. Sometimes the "degree" is | | | | Aspergers Syndrome Explained to get more |
| almost undetectable and does not present a | | | | insights. Also similar would be many of the |
| major challenge to that child as they develop and | | | | symptoms of yet another related disorder, |
| grow, but for others, it will clearly present them | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder, and you can get more |
| with challenges. | | | | information about ADD at All About Attention |
| There is not a currently known cure for autism, | | | | Deficit Disorder. |
| but once it has been diagnosed and the severity | | | | Bottom line: watch your children and know the |
| of it determined, there are things that can be | | | | signs of autism, since early detection and accurate |
| done to minimize the effects of it. Sometimes this | | | | early diagnosis provides your best chances to |
| may include prescription medications. Although the | | | | minimize the detrimental effects. |