Explaining child disorders

• What is autism
• Types of autism
• Causes of autism
• Sociology facts of autism

Sociology facts of autism Due to the complexity of autism, there journalists continually investigate are many facets of sociology that need these rumors, but some say that the to be considered when discussing it, claims are actually libellous of their such as the culture which has evolved character as public figures, being from autistic persons connecting and singled out as "odd" or "nerdy" people. communicating with one another. In Autistic adults addition, there are several subgroups Communication and social problems often forming within the autistic community, cause difficulties in many areas of the sometimes in strong opposition to one autistic's life. A much smaller another. proportion of adult autistics marry or Community and politics have children than the general Curing autism is a very highly population. Even when they do marry, controversial and politicized issue. some argue, it is more likely to end in What some call the "autistic community" divorce than the norm, although further has splintered into several strands. research should perhaps be made. Some seek a cure for autism - sometimes Nevertheless, as more social groups dubbed by pro-cure. Others do not desire form, progressively more diagnosed a "cure", because they point out that adults are forming relationships with autism is a way of life rather than a others on the spectrum. "disease", and as such resist it. They A small proportion of autistic adults, are sometimes dubbed anti-cure. Many usually those with high-functioning more may have views between these two. autism or Asperger's syndrome, are able Recently, with scientists learning more to work successfully in mainstream jobs, about autism and possibly coming closer although frequently far below their to effective remedies, some members of actual level of skills and the "anti-cure" movement sent a letter qualification. Some have managed to gain to the United Nations demanding to be self-employment. treated as a minority group rather than Others are employed in sheltered a group with a mental disability or workshops under the supervision of disease. managers trained in working with persons There are many resources available for with disabilities. A nurturing autistic people. Because many autistics environment at home, at school, and find it easier to communicate online later in job training and at work, helps than in person, a large number of these autistic people continue to learn and to resources are online. In addition, develop throughout their lives. successful autistic adults, using their It is often said that the Internet, own experience in developing coping since it is almost devoid of the strategies and/or interacting with non-verbal cues that autistics find so society, are often involved at the hard to interact with, has given some community level with children with autistic individuals an environment in autism, using their own experience in which they can, and do, communicate and developing coping strategies and/or form online communities. The internet interacting with society. has also provided the option of The year 2002 was declared Autism occupations such as, teleworking and Awareness Year in the United Kingdom independent consulting, which, in (see Autistic Community article). general, do not require much human Culture interaction offline. With the recent increases in autism Under the public law, in the United recognition and new approaches to States, the public schools' educating and socializing autistics, an responsibility for providing services autistic culture has begun to develop. ends when the autistic person is 21 Similar to deaf culture, autistic years of age. The autistic person and culture is based on a more accepting their family are then faced with the belief that autism is a unique way of challenge of finding living arrangements being and not a disorder to be cured. and employment to match their particular There are some commonalities which are needs, as well as the programs and specific to autism in general as a facilities that can provide support culture, not just "autistic culture". services to achieve these goals. It is a common misperception that Many parents of autistic children also autistic people do not marry; many do face financial difficulties as they must seek out close relationships and marry. often pay for essential support and Often, they marry another autistic, therapeutic services. Furthermore, although this is not always the case. autism is often linked to poverty Autistic people are often attracted to because autistics who might qualify for other autistic people due to shared financial assistance in one country are interests or obsessions, but more often not eligible in another, because some than not the attraction is due to simple nations do not recognize autism as a compatibility with personality types, disability. the same as for non-autistics. Autistics Terminology who communicate have explained that When referring to someone who is companionship is as important to diagnosed with autism, the term autistics as it is to anyone else. "autistic" is often used. Alternatively, It is also a common misperception that many prefer to use the person-first autistic people live away from other terminology "person with autism" or people, such as in a rural area rather "person who experiences autism." than an urban area; many autistics do However, it has been noted that members happily live in a suburb or large city. of the autistic community generally However, a metropolitan area can provide prefer "autistic person" for reasons more opportunities for cultural and that are fairly controversial. This personal conflicts, requiring greater article uses both terminologies. needs for adjustment. Autistic savants In schools it is commonplace for The autistic savant phenomenon is autistics to be singled out by teachers sometimes seen in autistic people. and students as "unruly," though an Savant syndrome occurs in about 10% of autistic student may not understand why autistic people and in about 1% of his or her actions are considered non-autistic people. The term "autistic inappropriate, especially when the savant" is used to describe a person who student has a logical explanation for is autistic and has extreme talent in his or her behavior. one or more areas of study (the The interests of autistic people and incidence of multiple skills tend to so-called "geeks" or "nerds" can often occur more often in autistic savants overlap as autistic people can sometimes than non-autistic savants). Although become preoccupied with certain there is a common association between subjects, much like anyone else. savants and autism (an association made However, in practice many autistic especially popular by the 1988 film Rain people have difficulty with working in Man), most autistic people are not groups, which impairs them even in the savants and savantism is not unique to most 'geeky' of situations. The autistic people, though there does seem connection of autism with so-called geek to be some relation. Mental calculators or nerd behavior has received attention and fast computer programming skills are in the popular press, but is still the most common form. A well known controversial within these groups.[96] example is Daniel Tammet, the subject of Speculation arises over famous people the documentary film The Brain Man (Kim and celebrities who are now suspected, Peek, one of the inspirations for Dustin but unconfirmed, of having autism and Hoffman's character in the film Rain Asperger's syndrome. They are rumored to Man, is not autistic). Bright Splinters have most symptoms of autism or of the Mind by Beate Hermelin is a book autistic-spectrum disorder. Biographers, that explores this issue further. personal physicians and media 1 A B C D 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95