What Is Autism?

Autism is a chronic brain disorder characterized by difficulty with social interaction, verbal skills and communication, repetitive and narrow interests, and often violent reactions to changes in the environment. There is no known cause, though some scientists and researchers suspect a genetic abnormality, injury to the brain or exposure to an environmental toxin. The elevated rate of autism in some population centers seems to support the last in at least some cases.

Autism is most often diagnosed in early childhood, between the ages of 12 and 36 months. That's when most parents begin to notice that their child is not developing speech and communication skills normally, or that they may have disturbed social interactions. Children with milder forms of the disorder may not be diagnosed until they begin school, and for some, even later, at the beginning of middle school, when social and communication skills become more important.

Autism is a commonly used term to describe any one of five pervasive developmental disorders, collectively known as 'autism spectrum disorders'. There are numerous theories about how the disorders relate to each other. Some researchers believe that they are separate disorders which have similar symptoms, while others feel that there exists a 'spectrum' of severity that ranges from extremely mild (like many children with Asperger's syndrome) to incapacitating. The five pervasive developmental disorders are autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Of these, most doctors now believe that Rett syndrome is NOT an autism spectrum disorder, and CDD may not be.

Autism - symptoms appear before age 3, though they may not be diagnosed till much later. Symptoms include difficulty making or maintaining eye contact, disturbances in social functioning and an overwhelming self-absorption.

Asperger's syndrome - like autism, symptoms appear before age 3. Asperger's children and adults are more likely to be higher functioning and capable of independent or supported living. Symptoms include difficulties in social functioning, difficulties in communication and speech, and an absorption in narrowly defined interests. Some children with Asperger's syndrome are savants in some area.

Rett Syndrome - afflicts almost exclusively girls. The child usually develops normally for 6-18 months, then shows a marked loss of skills. Acquired speech is lost, and the child may be unable to control her hands and feet. Rett Syndrome can be tested for with 80% accuracy.

Childhood disintegrative disorder - A child develops normally through 2-4 years, then shows a marked degeneration in social, physical, mental and verbal skills. The long period of normal development marks the difference between autism and CDD.

Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified - is diagnosed when there are impairments in social interaction, stereotyped behavior and communication, but the child doesn't meet the criteria for one of the other four disorders.

Parents with autistic children may fear that their child will 'get worse', but most research today supports the belief that autism is non-progressive. It does not get worse, though many children have other diagnoses and conditions that may.