AUTISM
A condition affecting the way brain processes information

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments, verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties as well as restricted and repetitive behavior.

Autism is often described as a 'spectrum disorder' because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees. It is specially related to how they make sense of the world around them.

SYMPTOMS
Unresponsive to people
Fail to respond to their names
Avoid eye contact with other people
Excessive lining up of toys or objects
Start speaking later than other children
Focus on one item for long periods of time
Can’t value tone of voice or facial expressions
Don’t like to be held or cuddled unless they want to
Self-abusive behavior such as hand biting or head-banging
Engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Children with characteristics of an ASD have difficulties in motor coordination and attention deficit disorder. They also may face conditions such as intellectual and learning disability, tuberous sclerosis, epileptic seizures and Tourette syndrome as well as physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances.

WHAT CAUSES AUTISM?
The causes of autism are still being investigated. It’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role influencing normal brain development, early in fetal development.

Genetic: Autism is likely to have multiple genes responsible rather than a single gene. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome.
For others, genetic changes may make a child more susceptible to autism.

Environmental factors may contribute to autism, such as complications during pregnancy, prenatal stress, infectious diseases, pollution, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs and vaccines.
Exposure during pregnancy to rubella (German measles), valproic acid, and thalidomide, are recognized causes of secondary autism; however, it remains unclear whether those who develop autism after such an exposure are also genetically predisposed.

IS THERE A 'CURE FOR AUTISM?
Although Autism is not ‘curable’, it can be managed and shaped at a young age.
Adequate and personalized help is necessary.
Since autism is a 'spectrum' disorder that affects different people in different ways, there are no stereotyped kinds of intervention. What might work perfectly with an individual can be inappropriate with another.
Treatment of autism involves medical and behavioral therapies to help children with conversational language and social interactions.

POSSIBLE PREVENTION
A growing body of research suggests that a woman can reduce her risk of having a child with autism by taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid and/or eating a diet rich in folic acid (at least 600 mcg a day) during the months before and after conception.

POSITIVE ASPECTS
Each individual with autism is unique
• Many of those have an ability to focus on detail
• May have good powers of concentration on a single activity provided it is of interest to them.
• They can reveal exceptional abilities in visual skills, music, art, math and academic skills.

ASPERGER SYNDROME
Asperger syndrome is 'hidden disability' where outer appearance seems normal.

People with the condition have difficulties in three main areas:
Social communication
Social interaction
Social imagination

They are often referred to as 'the triad of impairments', but with the right support and encouragement, they can lead full and independent lives.

People with Asperger syndromes have fewer problems with speaking and are often of average, or above average, intelligence. They do not usually have the accompanying learning disabilities associated with autism, but they may have specific learning difficulties as dyslexia, dyspraxia or other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.

HISTORY
Autism terminology was first introduced in 1938 by Hans Asperger of the Vienna University Hospital who was investigating an ASD now known as Asperger syndrome.
Later in 1943, Leo Kanner described 'autism' as representing an extreme end of the spectrum, often marked by severe impairments.

Sources: The National Autistic Society, NIH, National Human Genome Research Institute, Mayo Clinics, NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Autism Speaks, Wikipedia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.