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What Is Autism?
Autism
encompasses a broad range of brain disorders that, by
conservative estimates, affects 1 in 500 children. Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD's) include Asperger's Syndrome,
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
(PDD-NOS), Rett Syndrome (which affects only girls) and
autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorcers impair
three main areas of human development: speech, communication,
and social interaction. These impairments may range from mild
to severe.
Individuals on the autism spectrum
may lack speech altogether or may be delayed in their
acquisition and use of language. They may repeat words
(echolalia) in place of normal verbal communication and they
may recite entire lines of text from books, movies or computer
games out of context for no apparent reason. Some individuals
with autism never develop gestures such as pointing to
requested objects or waving good-bye. Individuals with ASD's
may find it difficult or impossible to hold a conversation or
may compulsively steer the conversation to one
subject.
In the area of social
communication, there may be a lack of response to verbal
requests or no response when the person's name is called.
Similarly, they often fail to connect to the names for other
people and they often confuse pronouns. Almost universally,
individuals on the autistic continuum are unable to interpret
facial expressions or emotions. They may establish only
fleeting eye contact, if they any at all. They also often
experience difficulty transitioning from one activity to
another.
Many individuals with autism lack
interest in socially interactions. For children, there can be a
lack of imaginative play and a preference to engage in
repetitive activities for extended periods of time such as
rewinding videos, stacking blocks, or lining up toys. Many
individuals on the spectrum are perceived to be aloof or
indifferent to other people.
What causes autism?
No one is sure what causes autism
but research seems to suggest that it is caused by both genetic
and environmental factors such as vaccines or environmental
toxins.
Is there a cure?
At present, there is no known cure
for autism. Researchers from the USA, Canada, and the UK hope
to better understand the disorder's biochemical origins and
find a cure before 2010.
Many parents find that their
children's symptoms and behaviors improve with the elimination
of gluten and casein from diet and with the addition of
nutritional supplements.
We do not endorse any one method
of treatment, but we are dedicated to examining the latest
research and methods of treatments that allow you to make an
informed choice.
Where can I get more
information?
Educating yourself and others
about autism is a critical way to enhance the wellbeing of
individuals with autism. We believe that grassroots advocacy
and one-on-one "consciousness raising" helps society at large
better understand the nature of this common developmental
disorder and opens more doors of opportunity for people on the
autism spectrum.
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