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Autism Autism is a very poorly understood and extremely misrepresented disorder. Over one half million people in the U.S. today, children and adults, have autism
Autism Autism Autism is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), the most common in a group of five disabilities marked by "severe and pervasive impairment in several
autism Autism Spectrum Disorders also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders first came on the scene in the middle of the twentieth century. In 1943 Dr. Leo
Autism Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. This is the result of a neurological disorder that
Autism Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. This is the result of a neurological disorder that
Submitted by dsobisch on March 13, 2008
Category: Science
Words: 1984 | Pages: 8
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Autism
Autism is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), the most common in a group of five disabilities marked by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development", most notably those involved in social interaction and communication. Together, Austism, Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Syndrome, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), make up the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ranging in form from the more mild (Asperger's Syndrome) to the more severe (Austism), though autism itself ranges greatly in severity. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 children are born with autism, with males being four times as likely as females to be affected by the disorder. In all, about 1.5 million American's are thought to have some form of autism, and this number is rapidly increasing as the criteria for autism is broadened and more light is shed everyday on the causes, characteristics, and inner-workings of this mysterious neurologic disability.
Characteristics of autism
The three core characteristics of autism are impairments in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as repetitive, restricted behaviors and interests. One of the most important things to understand about autism is that it is an extremely diverse disorder, ranging greatly in severity and outward manifestation. No two people with autism display exactly the same symptoms in exactly the same way. There are endless combinations of impairments as well as ability levels. Every person with autism acts differently, with varying strengths and weaknesses.
One of the hallmark symptoms of autism is the display of stereotyped, rigid behaviors and repetitive mannerisms such as hand-flapping, finger movements, and rocking. In more severe cases of autism, head-banging is also a common behavior. Autistic individuals display what one might refer to as OCD-like behaviors. They may develop certain...
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