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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 hotrock127 on November 16, 2006
Category: Miscellaneous
Words: 653 | Pages: 3
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What is autism?
Autism is a brain disorder that often interferes with a person's ability to communicate with and relate to others.
Signs of autism almost always develop before a child is 3 years old, although the condition is sometimes not diagnosed until later. Typically, parents first become concerned when they notice that their toddler does not begin to talk or does not respond and interact like other children of the same age. Toddlers with autism do not usually develop speech normally and may seem to be deaf although hearing tests are normal.
Autism also affects how a child perceives and processes sensory information.
The severity of autism varies. Some individuals need assistance in almost all aspects of their daily lives, while others are able to function at a very high level and can even attend school in a regular classroom. While this is a lifelong condition that typically results in some degree of social isolation, treatment can make a major difference in the lives of people with autism. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment has resulted in increasing numbers of people with autism being able to live independently as adults..
What causes autism?
Autism tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Because people with autism can be vastly different, scientists suspect a number of genes are responsible. Ongoing research is targeted at pinpointing these genes. Some experts also believe that environmental factors may play a part in causing autism, although scientists have studied several factors, including vaccines, and have yet to identify such a cause.
Brain scans of people with autism have shown abnormalities in several areas of the brain, including those responsible for emotion and social relations. Other studies suggest that people with autism have high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical that sends messages in the brain. However, these findings are...
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